DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Thomas L. Schlenker
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Texas Department of State Health Services Flu Surveillance Grant
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Emerging and Acute Infectious Diseases Branch (DSHS) by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) and authorizes the acceptance of grant funds upon award in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 for participation in the Infectious Disease Control Unit Flu Lab Program (Flu Surveillance Program) for a two year term beginning September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2017. This action also authorizes a proposed program budget as reflected in Attachment I.
Furthermore, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and a grant contract to effectuate the application and 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; e) amendments which will provide supplemental grant funds to the grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 20% of the total amount initially awarded to the grant; f) amendments funding one time equipment purchases or defined program services; and g) changes in state regulations mandated by the funding agency.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
As the public health authority for Bexar County, Metro Health actively addresses the public health functions of policy development, health assessment, and health assurance. To carry out these responsibilities, Metro Health operates evidenced based programs in various settings throughout the County. With state grant support, Metro Health provides preventive health services, community education, limited clinical services to prevent communicable disease, emergency preparedness, disease control, supplemental nutrition programs, and dental health services.
Metro Health receives approximately 72% of its total budget support through contract and grant awards from the State of Texas in both direct funding and federal pass-through funding. Final amounts will be determined by Federal and/or State Agencies and may result in higher or lower amounts.
Through this grant, Flu Surveillance Program funding will support influenza surveillance testing activities in accordance with program requirements for analytical capacity/capability, quality assurance, quality control, and biosafety.
ISSUE:
Historically, the State of Texas has provided funding to the City of San Antonio for service delivery in health and disease prevention. Currently, this includes 17 program grants and contracts through the Texas Department of State Health Services and three through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Acceptance of annual support from the State of Texas continues the long-standing practice of utilizing State aid to support local public health programs of the City.
ALTERNATIVES:
If submission of the grant application is not authorized, Metro Health would forgo participation in the Flu Surveillance Program and an opportunity to receive funding to support influenza surveillance testing activities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health requests City Council authorization for the submission of a grant application and requests authorization to accept funds upon award in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 from the Texas Department of State Health Services for participation in the Flu Surveillance Program for a two year term beginning September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2017.
Upon award, funding in the amount of $5,000.00 will be available for each year of the grant period. There is no match requirement and there will be no fiscal impact to the City's General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Texas Department of State Health Services and the acceptance of funds upon award in an amount up to $10,000.00.