DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Vincent R. Nathan, PhD, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing personnel complement changes for the Texas Department of State Health Services Sexually Transmitted Disease/HIV Federal pass through grant
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes the addition of one position to the existing personnel complement for the FY 2016 Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)/HIV Federal pass through grant, increasing the number of positions from 9 to 10.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
As the public health agency for the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, Metro Health actively addresses the public health functions of policy development, health assessment and health assurance and promotion. With state and federal grant support, Metro Health provides preventive health services, community health education, emergency preparedness, supplemental nutrition programs, dental health services and limited clinical services to prevent and control the transmission of communicable disease. Services are offered to residents at public health settings and service locations throughout the City and County.
The STD/HIV Federal grant supports STD/HIV prevention efforts. Funding objectives include:
• Testing for STDs and HIV
• Conducting field investigations for confirmed or suspected cases of Syphilis and HIV positive clients
• Case management of all confirmed Syphilis and HIV positive clients
• Identification and interview of partners for notification and testing
Initially Metro Health was awarded $547,850 for FY 2015 through the STD/HIV federal grant. In October 2015, Metro Health was awarded an additional $125,000 to fund an additional position that would focus on a new “Data to Care” role for the program. This position will be responsible for re-establishing linkages with healthcare for HIV positive individuals who have fallen out of care. Additional funding will allow the program to hire one Management Analyst.
The FY 2016 budget and personnel complement for the STD/HIV federal grant were approved by City Council on April 2, 2015. This action will authorize an increase of one position for the STD/HIV federal grant program for the remainder of FY 2016 for a total of 10 positions.
ISSUE:
Metro Health has been awarded additional funding to hire one additional position through the STD/HIV federal grant for Metro Health’s STD/HIV Program. This position will focus on locating HIV positive individuals in the community who have fallen out of care and work to re-establish them within a healthcare setting.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this Ordinance is not authorized, Metro Health will be unable to hire much needed personnel that can provide additional support for the STD/HIV program to provide a much needed service for HIV positive individuals in the community. The department would need to identify other funding sources to hire the required personnel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health has received an additional $125,000 through the DSHS (STD)/HIV Federal pass through grant. Funding will cover the expenses for hiring one additional Management Analyst position for the program bringing the new personnel complement from 9 to 10 for FY 2016. There will be no impact to the City’s General Fund budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance authorizing the addition of one position to the existing personnel complement for the FY 2016 DSHS (STD)/HIV Federal pass through grant to increase the number of positions from 9 to 10.