DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Colleen M. Bridger MPH, PhD
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials and the acceptance of funds, if awarded, for the 2018 Medical Reserve Corp Challenge Awards program in an amount not to exceed $7,500.00 for 12 months beginning in March 2018.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes submission of a grant application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and the acceptance of funds if awarded, for the 2018 Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) Challenge Awards to address community needs, build the MRC unit capabilities, evaluate effectiveness and share results with a goal to facilitate improvements in processes or resources, in an amount not to exceed $7,500.00 for 12 months beginning in March 2018.
The above referenced request for funding includes a project description, work plan and a budget.
Furthermore, this ordinance authorizes the Director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District 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 20% 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:
Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) is a nationally recognized organization that is housed under the Office of the Surgeon General. The mission of the Alamo Area MRC is to recruit, train and coordinate volunteers whether medical or non-medical professionals, to respond to all-hazard events in South Central Texas.
The Alamo Area MRC has been housed locally under the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) Public Health Emergency Preparedness Division (PHEP) for the past eight years and consists of medical and non-medical volunteers from our community who are trained to assist in times of emergencies. MRC volunteers could be called upon to assist with public health and natural disaster response activities, such as Hurricane Harvey, or could be utilized in the event of a terroristic attack. To date, the Alamo Area MRC has provided assistance at health fairs throughout the city of San Antonio.
ISSUE:
Metro Health is requesting City Council authorization for the submission of a grant application to NACCHO to apply for funding that would enhance the capability of the Alamo Area MRC to recruit and train volunteers to assist during emergency response activities.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this grant submission not be authorized, Metro Health will forgo an opportunity to accept funding that would enhance the capability of the Alamo Area MRC to recruit and train volunteers to assist during emergency response activities and the Alamo Area MRC will be forced to rely on funding from Metro Health’s PHEP program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The NACCHO 2018 MRC Challenge Awards grant is a 12 month award in the amount of $7,500.00 beginning in March 2018 and ending in March 2019. There is no impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council approval, authorizing the submission of a grant application to NACCHO for the 2018 MRC Challenge Awards Grant, and, if awarded, the acceptance of funds and approval to execute the grant documents.