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Commissioners warn RADR workforce at risk as federal COVID-era funding winds down
Summary
The commission heard presentations on RADR and HIV Health Services and flagged a funding cliff for disease intervention specialists funded through federal COVID-era grants; commissioners urged efforts to institutionalize training and seek sustainable funding.
Commissioners and staff told the Health Commission they are working to preserve an innovative disease-response program but face a funding cliff when American Rescue Plan resources expire.
Commissioner Christian summarized a presentation from the Department of Public Health about the Reserve for Accelerated Disease Response (RADR), calling the session "inspiring" but warning that the program—s federal COVID-era funding has been cut and that the team faces a funding shortfall. "We are left with the fear that we're gonna lose funding for this amazing work," Christian said.
RADR, which supports disease intervention specialists who are frontline responders for outbreaks such as mpox and COVID-19, has developed digital modules and in-person trainings covering more than 80 diseases, commissioners were told. Commissioners said RADR currently supports about 30 disease-intervention positions that typically take six or more months of training.
Commissioners and staff discussed options to preserve RADR—s work: embedding RADR training and materials into permanent DPH sections, seeking alternate funding sources and documenting work for future reference. Commissioner Salgado urged ensuring program materials are retained and accessible if funding ends; she noted RADR's funding currently extends through February 2026.
Commissioners also heard that HIV Health Services oversees about $46 million in services for people living with HIV and that federal Ryan White funding is declining; Mayor London Breed has committed to backfilling some cuts locally, DPH said.
Next steps: Commissioners encouraged DPH to pursue grant and foundation funding where possible, to institutionalize RADR training materials, and to identify departmental sponsors who can absorb program elements if permanent funding is unavailable.
