DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements With School Districts For On-Site Vaccination Clinics
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of joint powers agreements (JPA)s with school districts for on-site vaccination clinics.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. Ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
Dakota County Public Health (PH) has over a decade of working with local school districts in Dakota County on various health initiatives. Vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in the community, but many school districts in Dakota County are seeing lower rates of immunization post-COVID-19 pandemic. State law requires a set of immunizations for entry into kindergarten and beyond, and school-based vaccine clinics help ensure that students have received the necessary vaccinations and are in compliance with these requirements.
School-based vaccine clinics reinforce the importance of immunizations and raise awareness about vaccine-preventable diseases. They provide an opportunity to educate parents, students, and the community about the benefits of vaccinations, dispel myths or misinformation, and address concerns.
PH receives funding through the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Grant to support the recovery needs of the community from the COVID-19 pandemic. PH will enter into a contract with Homeland Health Specialists to provide onsite vaccination clinics at various school districts throughout the County. By hosting on-site vaccination clinics, PH will be able to increase vaccination coverage and reduce disparities among students and families in the community.
Under Minn. Stat. § 471.59, subd.1, two or more governmental units may enter into an agreement to cooperatively exercise any power common to the contracting parties, and one of the participating governmental units may exercise one of its powers on behalf of the other governmental units.
Staff requests authorization to enter into separate JPAs with Independent School Districts (ISD) 191, 192, 194, 197, 199, 200, and South St. Paul Special School District (SSD) No. 6, for onsite vaccination clinics (Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement).
OUTCOMES
How much: In 2023, Dakota County Public Health staff administered 1,929 immunizations to 577 school-aged youth (5-18 years of age).
How well: What is your overall rating of the services you received at today’s immunization clinic? (track the percent of Good, Very Good, or Excellent responses)
Is anyone better off:
• Percent of Dakota County kindergartners fully vaccinated for the following vaccines (22-23 school year):
o DTaP: 89.1 percent
o Polio: 89.2 percent
o MMR: 87.6 percent
o Hep B: 93.5 percent
o Varicella: 88.0 percent
• Percent of Dakota County seventh graders fully vaccinated for the following vaccines (22-23 school year):
o DTaP: 95.9 percent
o Polio: 95.4 percent
o MMR: 95.7 percent
o Hep B: 96.3 percent
o Varicella: 94.7 percent
o Tdap: 87.8 percent
o Meningococcal: 86.7 percent
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute separate JPAs with ISDs 191, 192, 194, 197, 199, 200, and SSD No. 6, for onsite vaccination clinics.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is $0 net County cost as it is completely funded through the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Grant, which is included in the 2024 Public Health Budget.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County Public Health (PH) has over a decade of working with local school districts in Dakota County on various health initiatives; and
WHEREAS, vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in the community, but many school districts in Dakota County are seeing lower rates of immunization post-COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, state law requires a set of immunizations for entry into kindergarten and beyond, and school-based vaccine clinics help ensure that students have received the necessary vaccinations and are in compliance with these requirements; and
WHEREAS, school-based vaccine clinics reinforce the importance of immunizations and raise awareness about vaccine-preventable diseases by providing an opportunity to educate parents, students, and the community about the benefits of vaccinations, dispel myths or misinformation, and address concerns; and
WHEREAS, PH receives funding through the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Grant to support the recovery needs of the community from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, PH will enter into a contract with Homeland Health Specialists to provide onsite vaccination clinics at various school districts throughout the County; and
WHEREAS, by hosting on-site vaccination clinics, PH will be able to increase vaccination coverage and reduce disparities among students and families in the community; and
WHEREAS, under Minn. Stat. § 471.59, subd.1, two or more governmental units may enter into an agreement to cooperatively exercise any power common to the contracting parties, and one of the participating governmental units may exercise one of its powers on behalf of the other governmental units.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to enter into separate joint powers agreements with Independent School Districts 191, 192, 194, 197, 199, 200 and South St. Paul Special School District No. 6, for the purpose of onsite vaccination clinics for the term of execution of the joint powers agreement through June 30, 2026.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☒ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Coral Ripplinger
Author: Erin Carder