Resolution retroactively authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $1,123,180 from the California Department of Health for participation in a program, entitled “Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Workforce Development Grant,” for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026; approving the Grant Agreement pursuant to Charter, Section 9.118(a); and to authorize the Director of Health to enter into amendments or modifications to the Grant Agreement that do not materially increase the obligations or liabilities to the City and are necessary to effectuate the purposes of the Grant.

This resolution retroactively authorizes the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) to accept and expend a $1,123,180 grant from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for the "Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Workforce Development Grant." This funding covers the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with a total potential allocation of $10,108,616 over five years (though only Year 1 is guaranteed). Retroactive approval is sought because the award letter was received on October 28, 2025, for a July 1, 2025, start date.

Program Purpose: The grant aims to develop, expand, train, and sustain the DIS workforce to address prevention and response needs for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and mpox. This includes scaling prevention efforts, increasing capacity for disease investigation, ensuring appropriate treatment and linkage to care, and monitoring disease trends and responding to outbreaks.

Funding Breakdown (FY 2025-2026):

• Personnel: $537,109 for various DPH staff (e.g., Physician Specialists, Health Program Coordinators, Epidemiologists, Nurses, Health Workers) to support program oversight, partner services, data management, and clinical activities.
• Operating Expenses: $94,777 for medications, vaccines (mpox, HPV, Hepatitis), testing supplies, office rent, and general office supplies.
• Major Equipment: $75,000 for freezer/refrigerator backup batteries and related electrical/mechanical work to prevent loss of inventory.
• Travel & Training: $66,088 for staff to attend conferences (e.g., STI Engage, CROI) and for specialized R Training for epidemiologists.
• Subcontractors: $234,083 to Public Health Foundation Enterprises, Inc. (dba Heluna Health) for roles like Communicable Disease Database Manager, Training Lead, and Disease Intervention Specialist Fellows, and $16,000 for leadership coaching for BIPOC workforce.
• Indirect Costs: $116,123.

The program emphasizes a "syndemic approach" due to shared risk populations (e.g., MSM, transgender individuals, BIPOC communities, people who use drugs, homeless) and transmission mechanisms for HIV, STIs, HCV, and mpox.

This grant will strengthen the city's public health workforce, leading to improved prevention, testing, and treatment services for HIV, STIs, Hepatitis C, and mpox. Residents, particularly vulnerable populations, will benefit from enhanced disease investigation, quicker linkage to care, and a more robust response to outbreaks.

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