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ARF- 1034

Regular Agenda Item 4- C

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	01/24/2012
Submitted For:	Michael O'Driscoll
Submitted By:	Judy Smith, Grants and Special Projects Manager, Health & Emergency Services Division
Department:	Health & Emergency Management	Division:	Grants & Special Projects
Fiscal Year:	2012	Budgeted?:	No
Contract Dates Begin & End:	4/1/2012 to 11/30/2012	Grant?:	Yes
Matching Requirement?:	No	Fund?:	New

Information

Request/Subject

Approval to electronically submit a grant application to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in conjunction with the National Network of Public Health Institutes for funds in the amount of $5,000 to implement standard procedures for communicable disease investigations and reporting through the Quality Improvement (QI) Award Program.

Background Information

Quality Improvement in public health is defined as "the use of a deliberate and defined improvement process", which focuses on activities that are responsive to community needs and improving population health. It refers to a continuous and ongoing effort to achieve measurable improvements in the efficiency, effectiveness, performance, accountability, outcomes, and other indicators of quality in services or processes which achieve equity and improve the health of the community. The Division of Health & Emergency Services would like to apply for funds through this QI Awards Program to implement standard procedures for communicable disease investigations and reporting programs. We will be requesting funds in the amount of $5,000.

Evaluation

If awarded, this funding will allow the Division of Health & Emergency Services to complete a quality improvement project for its communicable disease program to improve our investigation and reporting processes. This project will be completed between April 1, 2012 and November 30, 2012. The purpose of this Robert Wood Foundation Award Program is to support local health departments at becoming more proficient in the adoption and application of quality improvement methods. If awarded, this Program provides for fifteen hours of individually tailored QI coaching from an experienced national public health specialist.

Conclusion

This Quality Improvement grant will provide the Department of Health & Emergency Services an opportunity to apply national standards and methods to make incremental program improvements with the guidance of an experienced QI coach. It is important to authorize the Department of Health & Emergency Services to submit this application electronically in the amount of $5,000.

Recommendation

The Division of Health & Emergency Services Director recommends authorization by the Board of Supervisors to submit this grant application to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in conjunction with the National Network of Public Health Institutes in the amount of $5,000 for an eight month project. No matching funds are required.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action authorizing the Division of Health & Emergency Services to electronically submit the Quality Improvement Award Program grant application to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to complete a quality improvement project in the amount of $5,000. (Michael O'Driscoll)

Attachments
Grant Application for Agenda Item 1034