DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Thomas L. Schlenker
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Grant Submission to Department of State Health Services Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Branch
SUMMARY:
This ordinance ratifies the submission of a grant application and the authorizes acceptance of funding upon award for one full time epidemiology and surveillance staff member in an estimated amount of $130,000.00 from the Department of State Health Services Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Branch. This grant will augment the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District's (Metro Health's) epidemiological capacity for outbreak and disaster response with special emphasis on foodborne illness investigations for the remainder of FY 2014 (April 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014) and part of FY 2015 (September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015).
In addition, this Ordinance authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate and execute any and all necessary documents and grant contracts to effectuate the application and the acceptance of funds for the above referenced grant, and to execute any contract amendments pertaining to this grant in the following circumstances: a) line item budget revisions authorized by the funding agency; b) modifications to the performance measures authorized by the funding agency and listed in the contract so long as the terms of the amendment stay within the general parameters of the grant's intention; c) changes in state or federal regulations mandated by the funding agency; and d) carry-over funds, when ascertained and approved by the funding agency through a revised notice of award.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The 83rd Legislative Session awarded a $3 million Exceptional Item (EI) to Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to augment local health department epidemiological capacity for outbreak and disaster response with special emphasis on foodborne illness investigations.
To achieve this outcome, the DSHS Commissioner directed DSHS's Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Branch (EAID) to offer funding for one full time epidemiologist to local health departments with the highest number of annual foodborne illnesses as determined by the DSHS's current foodborne illness questionnaire response. Based on these criteria, DSHS is offering Metro Health funding to cover the cost of a full time surveillance and epidemiology staff member for the current State biennial budget period. Continued funding is subject to EI renewal.
The focus of this staff member is foodborne illness with responsibilities to include investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting findings in compliance with local, state, and federal agency guidelines and regulations. EAID will provide a more detailed scope of work and will also address mutual support during multi-jurisdictional outbreaks and other reporting criteria.
ISSUE:
Due to the short turnaround time for this grant opportunity, Metro Health requests City Council ratification of a grant application submission and authorization to accept funds upon award in an estimated amount of $130,000.00 from the DSHS Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Branch to augment the Metro Health's epidemiological capacity for outbreak and disaster response with special emphasis on foodborne illness investigations.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the grant application submission is not ratified and the acceptance of funds is not authorized, the funds may be redistributed to other local health departments in the State. As a result, Metro Health would forgo funding for one full time epidemiologist with qualifications in public health infection surveillance to investigate, analyze and interpret data on foodborne illness.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting ratification of a grant application submission and authorization to accept funding upon award from the DSHS Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Branch to augment the Metro Health's epidemiological capacity for outbreak and disaster response with special emphasis on foodborne illness investigations. Funding from grant is for the remainder of FY 2014 (April 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014) in an estimated amount of $41,000.00 and for part of FY 2015 (September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015) in an estimated amount of $89,000.00.
DSHS will provide foodborne illness kits and transfer kit materials at no cost to the City. This grant does not require a cash match and will have no impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends ratification of a grant application submission and authorization to accept funding upon award from the Department of State Health Services Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Branch for one full time epidemiologist with qualifications in public health infection surveillance to augment Metro Health's epidemiological capacity for outbreak and disaster response with special emphasis on foodborne illness investigations.