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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06062000 - C128-C129 13 Centra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa FROM: William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director County DATE: May 31,2000 SUBJECT: EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION REGARDING HOMELESSNESS SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMM NDATION: DETERMINE that there is a need to continue with the emergency action originally taken by the Board on November 16, 1999 regarding the issue of homelessness in Contra Costa County. BACKGROLM: On November 16, 1999, the Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency, pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 8630,on homelessness in Contra Costa County. This local emergency was extended on December 1, 1999,December 20, 1999,January 11, 2000, January 25, 2000,February 15, 2000,March 7,2000,March 21, 2000,April 11, 2000, and May 16, 2000. Government Code Section 8630 required that, for a body which meets weekly that the need to continue the emergency declaration be reviewed at least every 14 days until the local emergency is terminated. In no event is the review to take place more than 21 days after the previous review. With the continuing inclement weather and no additional resources having been able to be placed on line to assist in sheltering homeless individuals and families, it is appropriate for the Board to continue the declaration of a local emergency regarding homelessness. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:None SIGNATURE: . i RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRA'T'OR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE TT APPROVE OTHER SICNAT"UREM; ACTION OF BOARD ON__._ June 6 , 2000 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED XX OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE XX UNANIMOUS (ABSENT — _ "' ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contest Person: Wendel Brunner MD 313-6712 CC: Health Services Administration ATTESTED 3 u n e 6 , 2 0 0 0 PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS#NED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY ,DEPUTY Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa FROM: William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director County DATE: May 31,2000 SUBJECT: EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND AUTHORIZATION OF COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS. SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: DETERMINE that there is a need to continue with the emergency action originally taken by the Board on December 14, 1999 based on the increasing/epidemic number of AIDS/HIV and Hepatitis C cases among injection drug users in Contra Costa County. BACKGROUND: CONTINUED NEED FOR EMERGENCY The spread of disease,particularly HIV and Hepatitis C, through the sharing of needles continues to be a grave concern in Contra Costa County. 30% of all people living with AIDS in Contra Costa were infected by injection drug use with the highest number of AIDS cases in West County. As of December 1997,Richmond had the highest cumulative incidence of AIDS (4.8 per 1000 population) among Contra Costa cities, with at least 50 cases. Injection drug use was the estimated mode of infection among 40%© of all individuals diagnosed with AIDS in Richmond. Among African Americans diagnosed with AIDS in Richmond 1982-1998 53% were most likely infected through injection drug use. Contra Costa Health Services does not currently provide needle exchange services (it is prohibited from doing so absent a declared public health emergency). CCHS does provide services focused on injection drug users including: 1-HIV/AIDS Outreach and Education, 2-HIV antibody testing, 3-Substance Abuse Treatment,4-Health on Wheels Van, and 5-Substance Abuse Counseling and Treatment for HIV-infected clients. Exchange Works, a community-based needle exchange service currently in operation in Contra Costa currently distributes clean needles on a one-to-one basis. Their volunteer staff currently exchange 5,000 needles per week at two sites. There are no established needle exchange program in East or Central County. CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO SIGNATURE: �4we4. RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE —OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON June , 2000 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED XX OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE —XX UNANIMOUS (ABSENT – - -j AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact Person: Wendel Brunner MD 318-8712 CC: Health Services Administration ATTESTED June 6, 2000 _ PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS N COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY , DEPUTY w ✓ z 2 PROGRESS SINCE EMERGENCY DECLARATION ON DECEMBER 14, 1999 At the Board of Supervisors December 14, 1999 meeting, CCHS was directed to take four actions. As of January 7, 2000 the following has been completed: • CCHS has entered into discussions with Exchange Works in West County. • Supplies for the ongoing provision of the services have been identified. • CCHS staff have been identified to assist with the provision of information and referrals. • Documentation forms are being reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure that specific information is available to the Board. • Planning for an East County process will begin later this quarter after the preliminary process in West County is completed. This emergency action was renewed on December 20,1999, January 11, 2000, January 25, 2000, February 15, 2000, March 7, 2000, March 21, 2000, April 11, 2000, and May 16, 2000.