Kern County Grand Jury
• 2025-2026
Kern County Public Health - Budget Cuts vs Safety Net
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 8 findings
F1
The 25% budget cut to the DPH services and programs has caused a health care risk to the Kern community.
F2
Restoration of funds to the DPH 2024-2025 budget levels could help maintain services.
F3
Reductions in workforce will keep programs and services from being fully reimplemented.
F4
The loss of the Grant Writer position eliminates the DPH’s ability to secure new funding through grants.
F5
The DPH is in need of additional funding for testing and treatment because the CDC has rated Kern County as an elevated disease area for STIs, Diabetes, and Valley Fever.
F6
The reduction of appointment availability at the DPH and Kern Medical may cause undue hardship for residents needing medical treatment.
F7
The closure of the Kern County Health Department clinic in Shafter will cause hardship for patients with limited access to transportation.
F8
The DPH and Kern Medical provide identical clinical services.
Recommendations 7
-
R1Effective May 1, 2026, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) should restore the DPH budget to 2024-2025 level adjusted for inflation. This will ensure proper restoration of services for the residents of Kern County. (Findings F1, F2)
-
R2By May 1, 2026, the BOS should provide additional funding for testing and treatment of STDs, Diabetes, and Valley Fever. (Finding F5)
-
R3By December 1, 2025, the DPH and Kern Medical should implement Public Service Announcements (PSAs) through local media platforms to inform the public of other clinic locations available to receive treatment. (Finding F6, F7)
-
R4By February 1, 2027, the DPH should restore clinic services to Shafter. (Finding F7)
-
R5By February 1, 2027, the DPH should restore services through their mobile unit. (Finding F7)
-
R6By December 1, 2025, the Grand Jury recommends the DPH and BOS work together to re-establish the grant writer position to acquire funding through available grants. (Finding F4)
-
R7By June 30, 2026, the BOS should investigate merging the DPH clinical services into Kern Medical. (Finding F8) COMMENTS: The 2025-2026 Kern County Grand Jury would like to thank the Department of Public Health and its Advisory Management Team, and Kern Medical for sharing their time and knowledge. RESPONSE DEADLINES: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: Board of Supervisors