DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Add 1.0 Grant-Funded, Full-Time Equivalent And Amend 2024 Public Health Budget
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners acts as the Community Health Board and is responsible for preventing disease and disability and promoting and protecting the health and safety of county residents; and
WHEREAS, from January 2020 to April 2022, Dakota County Public Health (DCPH) was pivotal in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, DCPH worked with organizations at the local, state, and national levels to protect residents and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Dakota County and though the pandemic has ended, COVID-19 continues to impact our community; and
WHEREAS, Public Health’s role has transitioned from an emergency response to the recovery needs of the community from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 21-535 (November 16, 2021), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners accepted another grant from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation grant award in the amount of $1,807,919, in addition to its original $1,985,509, for a total of $3,793,428, as well as extending the grant period to December 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, by the same Resolution No. 21-535 (November 16, 2021), the MDH COVID-19 grant was amended to extend the term through March 31, 2026, allowing Public Health to utilize its unspent COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation grant funds; and
WHEREAS, staff plans to use the remaining funds to continue providing immunization clinics, including COVID-19 vaccines, and implement other grant duties consistent with the MDH grant guidance and, in addition, DCPH plans to hire a 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) grant-funded Immunization Program Coordinator to focus on community immunization catch-up and recovery efforts related to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, DCPH has strong data to show that children in our community are behind on immunizations, as are adults who are uninsured and underinsured, and families are currently experiencing long wait times for immunizations, including at DCPH clinics; and
WHEREAS, additional staffing is essential to support the increasing need for immunizations in our community; and
WHEREAS, with the closure of Dakota County’s only Federally Qualified Healthcare Center in December 2023, DCPH anticipates an influx of additional needs in this area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to add a 1.0 grant-funded, full-time equivalent Immunization Program Coordinator; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby amends the 2024 Public Health Budget as follows:
Expense
Program Expense ($131,135)
Staff Expense $131,135
Total Expense $0
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