DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Thomas L. Schlenker
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing an Agreement with South San Antonio ISD for Head Start Dental Services
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes an agreement with South San Antonio Independent School District (South San ISD) to provide an amount of up to $5,000.00 to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for the provision of oral health services to Head Start enrollees for the period April 2, 2015 to January 31, 2016 with an in-kind match requirement in services in an amount up to $1,000.00.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On an annual basis, the Metro Health Dental Program provides diagnostic and preventive care to more than 12,000 children living in poverty by providing services in non-traditional settings, such as Head Start, and on campuses of local Title I elementary schools. Through these programs, many children are identified with additional dental treatment needs beyond the scope of Metro Health services. Case management services are provided by Metro Health dental staff to assist participating children to receive needed treatment and to connect families to a source of ongoing care in the community. Approximately 23% of children enrolled in the City's Head Start Program are not covered through Texas Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). During the 2010-2011 school year more than 1,850 children that were enrolled in the program were identified with untreated decay.
Through this dental service agreement with South San ISD, Metro Health will provide oral health assessments and preventive care, including fluoride varnish applications, for children enrolled in the Head Start Program. Head Start is a federally-funded program that provides day care, education, child development, nutrition and social services, health and disability assessment and parent involvement, both on a full and part-time basis. These programs are designed to serve children ages 3 to 5 years whose parents income meets Administration for Child, Youth and Families Guidelines.
Similar dental services agreements with AVANCE-San Antonio, Inc., Family Service Association and Parent Child Incorporated were approved by City Council on January 29, 2015, to provide oral health services to Head Start enrollees.
ISSUE:
Access to early evaluations and preventive care for Head Start children improves the oral and overall health of this vulnerable population. In addition, oral health assessments are required by federal guidelines for the Head Start program and are necessary to ensure that all children enrolled in the program gain access to quality dental care. Those identified with unmet dental needs require a referral to an appropriate dental provider for comprehensive treatment.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be authorized, Metro Health will forgo $5,000.00 in reimbursements that is being made available to provide oral health assessments and preventative care to children ages 3 to 4 years whose parents' income meets Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting City Council authorization of an agreement with South San ISD for the period April 2, 2015 to January 31, 2016. Through this dental services contract, Metro Health will receive funding in an amount up to $5,000.00. There is an in-kind match requirement in services in an amount up to $1,000.00.
Funding generated through this agreement is for the direct reimbursement for services and there will be no impact on the City's General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance authorizing an agreement with South San ISD for the provision of oral health services to Head Start enrollees in a cumulative amount of up to $5,000.00 for the period April 2, 2015 to January 31, 2016 with an in-kind match requirement in services in an amount up to $1,000.00.