DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Vincent R. Nathan
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing ratification of submission of a grant application for additional funds and acceptance of an additional $559,514.00 for the CDC Immunization and Vaccines for Children Grant and extending the grant term.
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance ratifies the submission of a grant application to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), authorizes the acceptance of additional grant funds upon award in an amount not to exceed $559,514.00 for a total grant amount of $2,960,123.00 for the ongoing Immunization Project of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for a term beginning January 1, 2016 and extending through March 31, 2017. In addition, the Ordinance approves a revised program budget and personnel complement,
Furthermore, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and grant contracts to effectuate the application and acceptance of the referenced grant, and to execute contract amendments pertaining to this grant 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; and 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 awarded to the grant to include the funds awarded under this ordinance.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In collaboration with the CDC, Metro Health administers an Immunization 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 Program) and the 317 Childhood Immunization Program (Section 317 Program).
The VFC Program provides vaccines to over 170 VFC-enrolled healthcare providers in San Antonio. This program targets children who are eligible for Medicaid and those who are either uninsured or underinsured (i.e. 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. In addition, the grant provides support for project personnel and infrastructure.
In FY 2016, a total of 520,000 doses of vaccine are projected to be administered to the community through the VFC and Section 317 immunization programs.
ISSUE:
Metro Health received an invitation to apply for an additional $559,514.00 along with an extension of time for the current year’s budget period. 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 funding 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 ratify the submission of this grant application and authorize the acceptance of additional funds and extension, 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 Council to ratify the submission of a grant application and receipt of additional funds from the CDC to continue the Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program for an amount up to $559,514.00 bringing the total amount of the grant to $2,960,123.00 for a term beginning January 1, 2016 and ending March 31, 2017.
This Ordinance also authorizes the acceptance of funds upon award, and approves a revised program budget and a personnel complement which supports funding for thirty-two (32) full time positions. No other positions will be added. This grant does not require a cash match and there is no impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance authorizing the extension of the grant term, the acceptance of additional funds totaling $559,514.00 along with the ratification of the submission of a grant application by Metro Health to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue to provide immunization services for underserved children in Bexar County in order to prevent diseases.