SUBJECT
Title
GENERAL SERVICES - APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE TO LEASE CLINIC SPACE FOR THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA), Public Health Services Tuberculosis (TB) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinics have been operating out of HHSA’s Health Services Complex (HSC) since the 1990s. The clinics were recently removed from the HSC as the facility has been closed.
Today’s request is for the Board of Supervisors (Board) to approve, in principle, the lease of clinic space for HHSA’s TB and STD clinics. Upon successful negotiation of lease agreement(s), staff will return to the Board to request approval of the transaction(s).
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find that the proposed action is not an approval of a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15352 and 15378 (b)(5) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
2. Approve in principle the lease of space for the Health and Human Services Agency’s Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinics.
3. Authorize the Director, Department of General Services, to conduct a search for suitable site(s), negotiate lease(s) and return to the Board for approval of the agreement(s).
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Approval, in principle, of the lease of clinic space for the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA) TB and STD clinics will ensure continuation of essential public health services and access to these services for all communities.
HHSA’s TB and STD clinics are vital components of the public health safety net system, ensuring both equitable access and outcomes for residents of San Diego County.
STDs disproportionately impact communities of color (particularly Black/African-American residents), youth, and gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM).
The areas of the County being focused on for the TB and STD clinics would provide greater accessibility for those marginalized populations that utilize these services. This includes those locations where most clients live or that are close to public transportation resources, which they will often use to obtain clinic services.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the requested approval in principle to lease property or properties for the Health and Human Services Agency’s TB and STD clinics. The costs for lease will be determined during negotiations and will be provided when staff returns to the Board to request approval. The anticipated funding source for the proposed lease(s) will be Health Realignment and federal and State public health grant funding. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Public Health Services Tuberculosis (TB) and STD clinics have historically provided services at HHSA’s Public Health Services Complex (HSC). TB clinic services are provided to high-risk individuals and those unable to access services elsewhere. These services include skin tests, chest x-rays, and Directly Observed Treatment for medication as applicable. The STD clinic serves communities disproportionately impacted by HIV and STDs. Services include testing, diagnosis, and treatment for STDs, HIV testing and linkage to care, as well as specific immunization services. Additionally, education and assistance with HIV non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are available.
In February 2022, both clinics along with the other programs operating at HSC were temporarily relocated due to issues with the aging facility. Services have been temporarily relocated to Regional Public Health Centers, but HHSA has identified a need for a centralized location for the TB and STD clinics. The centralized location would be in a community where most of the clients who rely on these services live and near available public transportation. It is estimated that the clinics, along with related program staff, have a combined need of approximately 40,000 square feet of space. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) is requested to approve, in principle, the lease of property or properties to meet the current need for clinic space for HHSA’s TB and STD clinics. Upon successful negotiation of a lease agreement(s), staff will return to the Board to request approval of the transactions.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The Board’s approval in principle to lease lab space for the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Board’s action does not commit the County to a definite course of action with respect to any project. Once specific properties are identified for lease, staff will return to the Board with the appropriate environmental finding.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
The requested action supports the Equity Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan by supporting programs that provide health services to underserved residents of San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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