COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO - File #: 23-441

• File #: 23-441
• Version: 1
• Type: Health and Human Services
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 7/9/2023
• In control: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
• On agenda: 7/18/2023
• Title: AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF LABASPIRE PUBLIC HEALTH EQUITY AND READINESS OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE FELLOWSHIP GRANT FUNDING, AND AUTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR FUTURE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES (DISTRICTS: ALL)

Date	Action By	Action	Result
7/18/2023	BOARD OF SUPERVISORS	took action as recommended, on Consent	Pass

DATE:
July 18, 2023
03

TO:
Board of Supervisors

SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF LABASPIRE PUBLIC HEALTH EQUITY AND READINESS OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE FELLOWSHIP GRANT FUNDING, AND AUTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR FUTURE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES (DISTRICTS: ALL)

Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services, Public Health Laboratory (PHL) plays a critical role in protecting the health of San Diego County (county) residents and visitors. PHLs were established in response to outbreaks of diseases like typhoid, smallpox, and diphtheria, which are now considered diseases of the past. The California network is comprised of various laboratories which play an important role in disease diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of routine public health reportable diseases. Each individual laboratory further serves as a source of surge capacity for other local laboratories and the State laboratory in emergency situations and outbreaks.

PHLs are directed by highly qualified laboratory directors that are board certified and hold a doctoral degree. Over the last several decades there has been a decline in the number of qualified laboratory directors, due to requirements and attrition to the private sector. Many California PHL Directors are currently directing more than one PHL to meet the demand and need in California. The County PHL has been directly impacted by personnel turnover and shortages. With the growth of the PHL scope and testing, the need for additional leadership positions has been identified in this profession. A strategy many larger laboratories are employing is the addition of assistant laboratory director positions to support the administrative functions of a laboratory, and to provide succession planning for continuity of operations.

Through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) LabAspire Fellowship program, the Public Health Equity and Readiness Opportunity (HERO) grant was cre...