Grand Jury Response to Civil Grand Jury Response Faris Sabbah Mon, Aug 12, 2024 at 8:00 Am

Zip code data can pinpoint areas of “High Need,” which can direct data-driven funding for better health outcomes and give a better “Return on Investment.” __ AGREE _X_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): ZIP Code data is an important indicator of need as part of a holistic assessment of community health. However, in isolation it can be insufficiently granular or comprehensive to be used to direct funding decisions – even where that degree of flexibility exists in health funding disbursement, which in many cases it does not. Instead, ZIP Code data should be used alongside other indicators of community health as part of a comprehensive analysis. Within the school community for example, districtwide and school-site data sources are often as or more relevant to funding decisions as ZIP Code data. Census tract data provides another important, and more granular, geographic lens. It is also essential to note that eligibility for health services is generally based on individual need, regardless of ZIP Code within Santa Cruz County. This is not to say there is no place for ZIP Code based data; it can help to target outreach campaigns, and, in the context of other data, serves as an important indicator of progress addressing health inequities.

The 95076 zip code has an extraordinarily high number of patient transfers to outside the county compared to other zip codes of Santa Cruz county. This indicates a major lack of healthcare facilities and services to serve the community. __ AGREE _X_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): This finding does not directly relate to programs or data under the purview of the Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools or the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE). We anticipate a more detailed response from the Health Services Agency (HSA), and would generally defer to the HSA’s expertise on this matter. However, a review of the Civil Grand Jury’s analysis in support of this finding raises several concerns. For instance, it does not appear that the Civil Grand Jury analysis adjusted for the population of each ZIP Code while performing its analysis. While these irregularities call into question the specifics of the analysis, it is the position of the Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools that the conclusion of this finding is directionally accurate: the 95076 ZIP Code requires focused attention to continue improving health care facilities and resources. Continuing to expand access to healthcare facilities and services in South Santa Cruz County is a key priority for the COE as part of a broad coalition of partners, including through the school-based wellness initiatives through which we are expanding students’ access to mental health support to address any level of need. The Pediatric Health Work Group, of which the COE is a member, is one focal point for this work as it relates to youth in our community. The Pediatric Health Work Group has identified disparities in BMI and other health indicators that point to persistent health inequities disproportionately affecting youth in the 95076 ZIP Code. In response, the COE convened work groups of educators and topical experts in Spring 2024 to assess how schools can work more closely with families and health providers to share actionable information and best practices – whether in classrooms and cafeterias, or at home. We anticipate a report based on these findings will be released in Fall 2024.

A study of socioeconomic indicators of the 95076 zip code, compared to other zip codes of Santa Cruz county, reveal a dire need to improve the following: Homelessness Low Preschool Enrollment Poor Health Care Access Unemployment Support for Single Parent Households _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):