DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Colleen M. Bridger MPH, PhD
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant renewal application and the acceptance of funds, if awarded, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Grant Services (OGS) for the Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program, CFDA Nos. 93.268 & 93.539, in an amount not to exceed $2,389,843.00 for 12 months beginning July 1, 2018.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant renewal application and authorizes the acceptance of funds, if awarded, from the CDC, Office of Grants Services (OGS) and authorizes a proposed program budget, program income, personnel complement and the acceptance of funds upon award, in an amount not to exceed $2,389,843.00 for the ongoing Immunization Project of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for 12 months beginning July 1, 2018.
The above referenced request for funding includes a project narrative, budget and budget narrative.
Furthermore, this resolution authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and a grant contract to effectuate the acceptance of the referenced grant, and to execute contract amendments pertaining to this contract, to include a) carry-over funds, when ascertained and approved by the funding agency through a revised notice of award; b) line item budget revisions authorized by the funding agency; c) 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 intent of the grant; d) no cost extensions; 3) amendments which will provide supplemental grant funds to the grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 10% of the total amount awarded to the grant; f) reimbursement increases of administrative funds for each participant served; g) amendments funding one time equipment purchases or defined program services; and h) changes in regulations mandated by the funding agency.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In collaboration with the CDC, Office of Grants Services (OGS), Metro Health administers an Immunization Project (project) that works to reduce illnesses by maximizing the number of children immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenza type b, varicella, pneumonia, hepatitis A & B, rotavirus, human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza, and meningitis. The Project has two components, the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) and the 317 Childhood Immunization Program (Section 317 Program).
The VFC Program provides vaccines recommended by the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to over 150 VFC-enrolled healthcare providers in San Antonio. The program targets children 0-18 years of age who are eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and those who are either uninsured or underinsured (i.e., the child’s insurance does not cover immunizations). The Section 317 Program provides supplemental vaccines targeted to children seen in VFC provider and Metro Health clinic settings who are not eligible for VFC vaccines. The VFC and Section 317 Programs also provide support for project personnel and infrastructure. The Section 317 Program supports the continued operations of the San Antonio Immunization Repository System (SAIRS) and its transition into the Texas Immunization Information System (IIS) known as ImmTrac2. There will be dual IIS operations while providers gain access, training required to operate ImmTrac2 which has been slowed due to IIS implementation issues.
In FY 2018 Metro Health clinics are projected to administer an estimated 22,000 immunizations and the 150 VFC providers are projected to administer an additional 588,000 immunizations to eligible participants of these programs. Overall, a total of 610,000 doses of vaccine are projected to be administered to the community through the Immunizations and Vaccines for Children Program.
ISSUE:
Metro Health has received funding from the CDC for Immunization and Vaccines for Children Programs for over 20 years to support public health immunization programming and vaccine delivery to Bexar County. The immunization of children to prevent illnesses like pertussis, measles, rubella, mumps and other vaccine preventable diseases, continues to be an important health strategy. This Ordinance will allow Metro Health to continue the important work of providing enhanced education, outreach, technical support, immunizations, disease surveillance, adult/adolescent health activities, immunization registry data entry and vaccine distribution services.
ALTERNATIVES:
The funding provided by this grant supports vital immunization services for children. Should City Council choose not to approve the submission of this grant renewal application, funds will be redistributed to other grantees, limiting opportunities to provide immunization services to San Antonio residents, particularly children.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting authorization to submit a grant renewal application to the CDC OGS to continue the Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program for an amount up to $2,389,843.00 for a term beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019. This Ordinance will also authorize the acceptance of funds upon award, a proposed program budget, program income and a personnel complement which supports funding for thirty (30) full time positions. No other positions will be added. This grant does not require a cash match and there is no impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant renewal application by Metro Health to the CDC OGS and authorizing the acceptance of funds upon award to continue to provide immunization services for underserved children in San Antonio and Bexar County in order to prevent diseases.