DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
 
TITLE
title
Authorization To Accept Minnesota Department Of Health Eliminating Health Disparities Additional Grant Funds And Amend 2024 Public Health Budget
end
 
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, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners has approved the Minnesota Department of Health Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (MDH-EHDI) grant since the onset of the MDH-EHDI program in Minnesota over ten years ago; and 
 
WHEREAS, the purpose of the MDH-EHDI grant is to eliminate health disparities in refugee and other non-U.S. born populations; and 
 
WHEREAS, the grant supports the refugee health program and follow-up Tuberculosis (TB) case management in the Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) Unit; and 
 
WHEREAS, Public Health nurses contact all newly arriving refugees to assist with completion of a health exam; and
 
WHEREAS, this includes evaluations by a healthcare provider for tuberculosis and follow-up tuberculosis treatment and case management when indicated; and 
 
WHEREAS, MDH distributes legislative funds to eliminate health disparities in refugee and other non-U.S. born populations; and 
 
WHEREAS, MDH establishes specific criteria to distribute the funds and Dakota County will receive $22,833 for the state fiscal year 2024; and 
 
WHEREAS, the EHDI grant cycle is five years; and 
 
WHEREAS, the current grant cycle began July 1, 2021, and ends June 30, 2026; and 
 
WHEREAS, each year MDH notifies Dakota County of its annual allocation during this five-year grant term; and 
 
WHEREAS, Public Health expects stable funding for the full five years; and 
 
WHEREAS, in 2024, MDH has allocated an additional $100,000 to Dakota County for the MDH-EHDI grant for the TB Program; and 
 
WHEREAS, additional funding will be used to offset program staffing and program expenses related to case management of TB cases, contact investigations, and new arrival follow-up; staff time on TB training and education; reimbursement of TB medical evaluations; and patient expenses as related to care and isolation requirements (living expenses).
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept Eliminating Health Disparities (EHDI) grant funds in the amount of $100,000 for the period of July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024; and
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That unless the grant program requirements change, the Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend the grant to extend the grant term up to two years after initial expiration date, accept additional grant funds, and continue grant-funded full-time equivalents, consistent with County contracting policies, and inclusion of grant funds in future yearly Recommended and Approved Budgets, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and 
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The 2024 Public Health Budget is hereby amended as follows:
 
Expense
Program Expense                                          $25,000
Total Expense                                          $25,000
 
Revenue
EHDI Grant Revenue                     $100,000
Use of Fund Balance        ($ 75,000)
Total Revenue                                $ 25,000
end