Solano County Public Health division earns NACo Achievement Award for the Integrated Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) COVID Outbreak Response and Infection Prevention Education Program

June 15, 2022

SOLANO COUNTY – The Solano County Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health division, is pleased to announce that the National Association of Counties (NACo) has awarded Solano County's Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) program with an Achievement Award, highlighting the county’s approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our LTCFs for the elderly and disabled. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Solano County developed a new program that focused on outbreak prevention and response among the most vulnerable populations living in LTCFs for the elderly. The Integrated LTCFs COVID Outbreak Response and Infection Prevention Education Program (LTCF CORE Program) provides on-site testing and vaccination; infection and outbreak prevention and control guidance; and technical support to all LTCFs in Solano County. The program is designed to save lives by reducing severe outcomes and deaths among those at highest risk. 

The LTCF CORE Program is comprised of Health and Social Services staff from a variety of programs and disciplines. It was first assembled in April 2020 by redirecting existing staff and engaging community partners. The LTCF CORE Program has responded to more than 500 outbreaks since the start of the pandemic, and successfully fosters communication with LTCFs, develops and refines tailored infection prevention and control plans, reduces the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks, and contributes to significantly lower death rates in Solano County compared to other areas. 

"When the pandemic began, we immediately saw the devastating effects COVID-19 had on the residents who live in local LTCFs," said Health Officer and Deputy Director, Bela T. Matyas, M.D., M.P.H.  “Our LTCF CORE Program was crucial in preventing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in these high-risk facilities. Through their efforts, they saved countless lives in Solano County.” 

The NACo Achievement Award is a testament to the success of this innovative program, and the County employees on this team who worked to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in high-risk, congregate settings. This team was creative in its approach, and worked diligently to provide hands-on training, outreach, and technical assistance day in and day out to ensure the safety of our community. 

ABOUT THE LTCF CORE Program
The LTCF CORE Program is centered around infection prevention practices. Infection prevention and control practices help residents avoid getting infections from health care workers, other residents, family members, and visitors. Our team assisted LTCFs by providing infection and outbreak prevention and control guidance, on-site technical support, and a monthly newsletter of resources to assist facilities in need. 

ABOUT THE NACo ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.  Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.

ABOUT NACo
The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments.  Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.  Learn more at www.naco.org