DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Bexar CARES Grant Award
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services requests authorization of the following actions related to a grant application and award for the purpose of expanding the Bexar CARES Program, a continuum of care for Bexar County children with serious emotional disturbance and their families:
a) ratification of the submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and acceptance of grant funds in an amount up to $998,061.00 for the budget period of September 30, 2014 through September 29, 2015;
b) submission of a refunding application to SAMHSA and acceptance, upon award, in the amount of $995,868.00 for the budget period of September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2016;
c) a budget and in-kind match up to $332,687.00 for FY 15, a budget and in-kind match up to $331,956.00 for FY 16 to be provided by the Department of Human Services, Center for Health Care Services (CHCS) and collaborating agencies and associated personnel complement of one grant-funded position;
d) negotiation and execution of service provider contracts in the amount of $906,364.00 for the budget period of September 30, 2014 through September 29, 2015; and $903,173 for the budget period September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2016, respectively; and associated amendments with CHCS as the contractual sub recipient; and
e) execution of documents related to acceptance of the grant, to include acceptance of additional grant funds, amendment of associated contracts, or provision of the City's match, so long as City's portion of the required match is available in the City's budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In March 2014, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, released a grant opportunity related to Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances. On March 21, 2014, the Department of Human Services (DHS), in collaboration with the Center for Health Care Services, submitted a grant application seeking to expand the existing system of care, Bexar CARES, to further improve behavioral health outcomes for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances.
On November 30, 2014, DHS was notified of a grant award in the amount of $998,061.00 for the first year of a four-year grant project.
ISSUE:
First year grant funding in the amount of $998,061.00 was awarded to expand the existing system of care to increase access to high quality, comprehensive mental health services, and further improve behavioral health outcomes low-income children and their families. Anticipated grant funding by program year is detailed below.
Program Year |
Amount |
1 |
$998,061 |
2 |
$995,868 |
3 |
$995,828 |
4 |
$995,828 |
Through this action, DHS is requesting authorization to ratify the submission of the initial grant application and accept grant funds in the amount of $998,061.00 for a period ending on September 29, 2015. DHS is also requesting authorization to submit a renewal grant application for the second year of the grant period and accept, upon award, in the amount of $995,868.00 for the budget period of September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2016.
Required grant match will be provided by DHS and CHCS, as a pro-rated share of the overall match requirement. CHCS portion of the match will include partner agency contributions identified through their participation in the continuum of care. The allocation of the Bexar Cares Grant award and grant match responsibilities for Year 1 and Year 2 of the grant will be administered as follows:
Agency |
FY15 |
FY16 |
|
Federal |
Non-Federal |
Federal |
Non-Federal |
City |
$91,697 |
$30,566 |
$92,695 |
$30,898 |
CHCS |
$906,364 |
$302,121 |
$903,173 |
$301,058 |
Total |
$998,061 |
$332,687 |
$995,868 |
$331,956 |
|
|
|
|
|
DHS will also leverage existing systems and infrastructure to help coordinate and integrate non-profit partners, and coordinate and strengthen data collection and management. The personnel complement will provide for one Senior Management Analyst dedicated to these activities.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should City Council not approve submission, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, would identify a new provider and the opportunity to expand the local mental health continuum of care may be forfeited.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $998,061.00 for the budget period of September 30, 2014 through September 29, 2015; acceptance of a renewal grant, upon award, in an amount up to $995,868.00 for the budget period of September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2016; authorizes a budget and in-kind match up to $332,687.00 for FY 15, a budget and in-kind match up to $331,956.00 for FY 16 to be provided by the Department of Human Services, Center for Health Care Services and collaborating agencies, and an annual personnel complement of one grant-funded position.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends authorization of the actions related to a grant application and award for the purpose of expanding Bexar County's Bexar CARES Program, a continuum of care for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families.