DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Vincent R. Nathan, PhD, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing Submission for CDC Public Health Associate Program Assignees
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance ratifying the submission of four applications to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health Associate Program (PHAP), and authorizing the assignment of up to four Public Health Associates in the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for a two-year period beginning October 2016, and authorizes the Director of Public Health to execute all necessary documents. These positions will be 100% funded by the CDC.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Public Health Associate Program was founded in 2007 as a pilot program to support the CDC’s frontline public health focus and to meet the need for a continual source of field-tested, experienced, and dedicated public health professionals. In 2010, with the help of funding from the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF), PHAP progressed from a pilot program to nationwide implementation-hiring 65 associates in 2010. Now the program has more than 325 associates fulfilling hands-on workforce needs in public health agencies across 44 states, one territory, and the District of Columbia.
The PHAP program provides an opportunity for front-line individuals with at least a Bachelor’s Degree in science or liberal arts to gain practical experience in a public health setting. Assigned associates are civil service personnel hired by CDC to serve under an excepted service appointment not-to-exceed two years. Assignments are individually tailored to meet local needs in the delivery of public health services such as case investigation, disease surveillance, health promotion, community outreach and public health administration.
This Ordinance will allow a Public Health Associate to work in Metro Health’s Communicable Disease or Operations Divisions; and assist programs with the delivery of public health services to the community, such as STD/HIV, TB, and Epidemiology, as well as assist the department in performance improvement initiatives and public health accreditation efforts. This would be the 8th year that Metro Health has successfully been selected as a PHAP host site.
ISSUE:
Metro Health is requesting that City Council ratify the submission of applications to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Public Health Associates, and authorize the assignment of said CDC employees in Metro Health for a two-year period beginning October 2016.
In late December of 2015, the notice of open applications for the 2016 Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Associate Program was announced to open on January 4, 2016 and close on January 22, 2016.
Metro Health has identified a need for such individuals and wishes to take advantage of this opportunity to obtain skilled workers that will assist in these critical areas within the department at no cost to the City.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the application submissions are not authorized, Metro Health will not be eligible for the services of a trained CDC Public Health Associate to assist in key services within the department at no cost to the City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The PHAP program provides a salary paid directly to the assignee while they complete their two-year field assignments at the health agency. Benefits, including health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, are also paid by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Metro Health will use existing resources to provide the required office space, equipment and associated project-based support, supervisory and mentoring time, and assessment of the assignee’s professional development.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance ratifying the submission of four applications to the 2016 CDC Public Health Associate Program to serve as a host site to highly qualified and trained CDC employees at no cost to the City and authorizes the assignment of said CDC employees in Metro Health for a two-year period beginning October 2016.