Board approves four public‑health nurses for maternal and child health, requires monthly hiring reports

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an ordinance to add four public‑health nurse positions concentrated in the Department of Public Health’s maternal and child health program and approved an appropriation to fund the hires for nine months of fiscal 2006–07. During debate supervisors voiced concern about existing vacancies in the department and directed monthly hiring-status reports to the board.

Supervisor McGoldrick, sponsor of the ordinance, said the positions respond to a substantial prenatal care waiting list in the maternal and child health program and that directing all four positions to that division would let nurses provide prenatal visits rather than only post‑natal services. The board also considered a linked appropriation item to provide $118,000 in targeted Medi‑Cal administration revenue and a general‑fund reserve transfer to support the four positions for nine months.

Budget analyst Mr. Rose told the board that the materials used a productivity target of three visits per day; he said that figure had been revised in department materials to two visits per day. He also reported that the department had a sizable number of fully funded, vacant positions. Supervisor Ellsberg said the budget analyst’s report listed 27 fully funded, vacant positions and urged a monthly hiring-status report; staff later indicated the number had been corrected to 26. Ellsberg moved, and Supervisor Daley seconded, a requirement that the department provide monthly updates on hiring status for the vacant positions; that motion passed without objection.

Members of the board praised the committee work that refined the positions’ focus to maternal and child health. Department of Public Health fiscal staff (Mr. Sasse, the department’s chief fiscal officer) attended the hearing and the committee previously discussed performance expectations and caseloads. On final roll call the ordinance and linked appropriation passed on first reading.

What was decided: the board approved the ordinance to add four public‑health nurses assigned to maternal and child health, approved the appropriation to fund them for nine months, and adopted a motion requiring monthly reports on filling vacancies in the department. Supervisors said they expect the Department of Public Health to prioritize filling vacancies and to provide progress updates to the board.