HomeMy WebLinkAboutAssociation of Public Health Laboratories-Public Health Laboratory Fellowship and Internship Program_A-25-464.pdf COtj County of Fresno Hall of Records, Room 301
2281 Tulare Street
Fresno,California
601 Board of Supervisors 93721-2198
O� 1$56 0 Telephone: (559)600-3529
FRV,t' Minute Order Toll Free: 1-800-742-1011
www.fresnocountyca.gov
September 9, 2025
Present: 5- Vice Chairman Garry Bredefeld, Supervisor Luis Chavez, Supervisor Nathan Magsig,
Chairman Buddy Mendes, and Supervisor Brian Pacheco
Agenda No. 40. Public Health File ID: 25-0734
Re: Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Association of Public Health Laboratories, a
joint initiative, designated for the Public Health Laboratory Fellowship and Internship Program,for
qualified participants to gain valuable career experience, effective as of the date first signed by both
parties for a period of one year after the effective date($0); and approve and authorize the Director of
the Department of Public Health, or designee, to be the signatory on behalf of the Board of Supervisors
on associated documents,forms and reports
APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED
Ayes: 5- Bredefeld, Chavez, Magsig, Mendes, and Pacheco
Agreement No. 25-464
County of Fresno Page 42
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Board Agenda Item 40
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FRE`'�
DATE: September 9, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Joe Prado, Interim Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: MOU with California Department of Public Health and the Association of Public
Health Laboratories
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Association of Public
Health Laboratories, a joint initiative, designated for the Public Health Laboratory Fellowship
and Internship Program, for qualified participants to gain valuable career experience, effective
as of the date first signed by both parties for a period of one year after the effective date ($0);
and
2.Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Public Health, or designee, to be the
signatory on behalf of the Board of Supervisors on associated documents, forms and reports.
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The proposed
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) outlines a collaborative effort to provide a
comprehensive learning experience in an operational public health laboratory. This initiative aims to offer
participants hands-on training, mentorship, and exposure to real-world diagnostic, surveillance, and
research practices vital to public health preparedness and response. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, there will continue to be a shortage of skilled
professionals in the local laboratory workforce. The lack of training opportunities could deter individuals from
pursuing careers in laboratory sciences in our region.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended
MOU does not provide any compensation between the County and the CDC or APHL.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed MOU between the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL)and selected fellowship
participants ("Fellows") is intended to formalize the partnership and establish a shared understanding of
legal rights, responsibilities, and expectations for both parties throughout the fellowship period. This
agreement enables Fellows to participate in a structured, high-quality training experience designed to
enhance workforce capacity within the DPH Laboratory. Fellows will contribute to critical public health
initiatives while benefiting from mentorship, technical development, and professional growth opportunities.
County of Fresno Page I File Number.25-0734
File Number:25-0734
Fellows are expected to submit progress reports, uphold ethical standards, accurately report their time, and
actively participate in all designated training and professional development activities. Fellows will receive
stipends and health benefits directly through APHL in accordance with program guidelines.
The MOU includes provisions for mutual indemnification between the parties and authorizes the County to
extend coverage to program participants under its Workers' Compensation policy.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk- MOU with APHL
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander
County of Fresno Page 2 File Number.25-0734
� N
Agreement No. 25-464
A P H L ASSOCIATION OF
PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES-
Public Health Laboratory Fellowship and Internship Programs: an APHL-CDC Initiative
Memorandum of Understanding
This Memorandum of Understanding (this "MOU"), dated as of September 9 , 2025, by
and between the Association of Public Health Laboratories, Inc. ("APHL")and County of Fresno, a political
subdivision of the State of California (the "PH Laboratory").
Background
1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") has awarded APHL funding through
Cooperative Agreement Number NU600E000104(CFDA#93.322)(the"Cooperative Agreement")
to establish and administer the Public Health Laboratory Fellowship and Internship Programs(the
"PHL Fellowship and Internship Programs").
2. Through the PHL Fellowship and Internship Programs, qualified participants will join a public
health laboratory to gain valuable career experience.
3. As part of the PHL Fellowship and Internship Programs, participants will have to complete a
competency-based core curriculum ("Core Curriculum") established by APHL that outlines the
knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for public health laboratory professionals to deliver core
services efficiently and effectively.
4. The PH Laboratory desires to participate in the PHL Fellowship and Internship Programs.
5. This MOU sets out APHL's roles and responsibilities in the PHL Fellowship and Internship Programs
and outlines what will be expected of the PH Laboratory when selected to host a participant(s).
Any fellow or intern placed at the PH Laboratory will be referred to in this MOU as a "participant".
Terms of Understanding
I. APHL Responsibilities
A. APHL will be responsible for soliciting applications from applicants interested in
participating in the PHL Fellowship and Internship Programs and will match applicants with
participating public health laboratories.
B. As part of the application process,APHL will verify the applicant's(1) conferred degrees)
and/or degrees) in progress, (2) citizenship or residency status and (3) health insurance coverage
(but APHL will not verify a health insurance plan or policy's specific coverage).
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C. Once an applicant is matched with the PH Laboratory,APHL will (1) notify the participant
of the Mentor's (as defined below) contact information and (2)enter into an Agreement with the
participant prior to the participant's anticipated start date at the PH Laboratory.
D. Using Cooperative Agreement funding, APHL will pay the participant a monthly
educational stipend, and allocate professional development funding (fellows only), as specified in
the Agreement.
E. APHL will develop, coordinate and administer the Core Curriculum. APHL will work with
the participant to ensure that the participant has completed the Core Curriculum as part of their
participation in the PHL Fellowship and Internship Programs.
F. Upon the PH Laboratory's request and upon receipt of requested reasonable supporting
documentation from the PH Laboratory, APHL will remove the participant from the PHL
Fellowship and Internship Programs for unsatisfactory performance or failure to follow PH
Laboratory's policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
III. PH Laboratory Responsibilities
III. The PH Laboratory will designate a staff member(the "Mentor") who will supervise and oversee
the participant's work while assigned to the PH Laboratory as part of the PHL Fellowship and Internship
Programs. The Mentor will (1) provide guidance and supervision for the participant while on assignment
at the PH Laboratory and (2) act as the liaison to APHL in connection with the participant's assignment.
The Mentor will also evaluate the participant's progress and performance at intervals specified by APHL
and at other times at the Mentor's discretion.
IV. The PH Laboratory will provide the participant the applicable rules, regulations, training and
procedures of the PHL Laboratory and, upon APHL's reasonable request,will provide APHL with a copy of
the same.
V. The PH Laboratory will make facilities, supplies, and equipment, as appropriate, available to the
participant.
VI. The PH Laboratory will orient the participant assigned to its facility on matters such as the PH
Laboratory's policies and procedures, personal protective equipment availability and use, and fire and
emergency response plans.
VI I. In consultation and coordination with APHL, the PH Laboratory will have the right to terminate a
participant's participation in the PHL Fellowship and Internship Programs when the participant's
performance at the laboratory is unsatisfactory or their behavior is dangerous, disruptive or detrimental.
VIII. If the participant is injured at the PHL Laboratory, the PH Laboratory will provide for the prompt
and appropriate transfer for emergency treatment of such injuries. In such an event, PH Laboratory has
voluntarily elected to cover participants under its Workers' Compensation insurance policy.
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IX. The PH Laboratory will allow vehicle parking for the participant, but if there is a charge for such
parking,the participant will pay for such charge.
X. The PH Laboratory will promptly notify APHL if a participant is, in the PH Laboratory's judgment,
unprepared or unable to safely participate in the assignment while placed at the PH Laboratory.
XI. Indemnity. Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless and defend the other party(including its
officers, agents, employees, and volunteers) against all claims, demands, injuries, damages, costs,
expenses(including attorney fees and costs),fines, penalties, and liabilities of any kind to the County,the
Contractor, or any third party that arise from or relate to the performance or failure to perform by the
indemnifying party (or any of its officers, agents, subcontractors, or employees) under this MOU. An
indemnified party may conduct or participate in its own defense without affecting the indemnifying
party's obligation to indemnify and hold harmless or defend the indemnified party.
XII. Term and Termination
Unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section, this MOU will be effective as of the date first
signed by both parties below(the"Effective Date")for a period of one year after the Effective Date. Either
party may, at any time,with or without cause, cancel this MOU by providing the other party with 90 days'
prior written notice.Any early termination will not become effective with respect to any participant then
participating in an assignment at the PH Laboratory until such time as that participant's scheduled
assignment is complete, provided that the PH Laboratory continues to have sufficient staffing and other
resources to continue the assignment until that date.
XIII. Confidentiality
APHL will instruct any participant to respect the confidential nature of information that they may have
access to while on assignment at the PH Laboratory. All services performed by the participant under this
MOU shall be in strict conformance with all applicable Federal, State of California and/or local laws and
regulations relating to confidentiality.
XIV. Notice
Any notices required under this MOU must be in writing and delivered to the other party either (1) by
email or(2) by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested. Notices must
be addressed to the parties at the addresses appearing in this section, until and unless such party changes
the specified address by written notice to the other.
If to APHL:
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Attention: Fellowship and Internship Programs Manager and Legal Department
7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000
Bethesda, MD 20814
Email:fellowships@aphl.org or internships@aphl.org and legal@aphl.org
If to the PH Laboratory:
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Docusign Envelope ID: F24D648E-CF3B-466C-AABE-1 B54847BBF82
Fresno County Department of Public Health
Attention: DPH Laboratory
1221 Fulton Street
Fresno,CA 93721
Email: iprado@fresnocountyca.gov and mavena@fresnocountyca.gov
Xv. General Provisions
A. Each party to this MOU is an independent contractor with respect to their duties and
obligations and there are no intended third-party beneficiaries.
B. If any part of this MOU is held to be void or unenforceable, such part will be treated as
severable, leaving valid the remainder of this MOU notwithstanding the part or parts found void
or unenforceable.
C. This MOU may only be amended, modified, supplemented or rescinded pursuant to a
writing signed by both parties.
D. The parties agree that this MOU may be signed electronically by one or both of the parties
and that such electronic signature(s)will be deemed by the parties to be an original signature.
The parties, through their duly authorized representatives, have executed this MOU as of the day and
year noted next to their respective signature below.
THE ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES, INC.
[Signed by:
off 15c&Cr 9/15/202S
BY�
4,D62�OA94g346E Date:
Name: Scott Becker
Title:
CEO
COUNTY OF FRESNO
By: (,�:: Date:
Name: Ernest Buddy Mendef
Title: Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno
ATTEST:
BERNICE E.SEIDEL
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
County or Fresno,State of California
By_ eputy
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