DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Colleen M. Bridger, MPH, PhD
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing the acceptance of funds from the Texas Department of State Health Services for Zika grant activities
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of additional funds from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) through an amendment to the Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR) Cooperative Agreement for Zika grant activities approved by Council in March 2017, Ordinance No. 2017-03-30-0179, and authorizing an existing personnel complement. Funds will be in addition to the current award that began March 1, 2017 for an amount not to exceed $121,695.00 bringing the contract total to $848,687.00. Funding for this amendment is available from CFDA# 93.323.
The above referenced request for funding included a revised budget that was submitted to DSHS on May 8, 2018.
The funds will be used for continued education to local hospitals and medical providers on signs and symptoms, epidemiology surveillance activities, continued Zika testing, and prevention measures. Additionally, funds will be used for a Zika prevention awareness and education campaign delivered via public service announcements, social media and the development of printed materials.
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 acceptance of the referenced grant funds, to include executing a contract amendment pertaining to this contract, and to execute additional contract amendments pertaining to this contract to include 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 funds awarded under this ordinance.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Zika virus is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes bite during the day and at night. The virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus and can cause certain birth defects.
Metro Health received Zika funds from the DSHS in the amount of $726,992 for a period of March 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 (Ordinance No. 2017-03-30-0179). On May 4, 2018 DSHS informed Metro Health of the opportunity to apply for an additional $121,695.00 in grant funds.
In addition to the $121,695.00, mentioned above, Metro Health will carry forward a total of $157,051.00 from the 2017 award, making $278,746.00 available for the 2018-2019 funding period and amending the grant award for an amount not to exceed $848,687.00. The application, in the form of a budget was due to DSHS on May 8, 2018. Metro Health submitted the application and expects the amended grant award to start July 1, 2018. A Special Category Grant Opportunity form was executed due to the short time frame Metro Health was allowed by DSHS to submit the application.
The additional Zika funding provides an opportunity to continue education and outreach started in 2017 through a media campaign including public service announcements, social media and development of printed materials. The funds will also continue to fund an existing personnel complement of one (1) Epidemiologist position and two (2) Sanitarian I positions.
ISSUE:
Metro Health requests City Council authorize the acceptance of additional funds from the DSHS for the delivery of Zika grant activities in an amount not to exceed $121,695.00 for a total award amount of $848,687.00, for a term ending July 31, 2019. The funds will be used for continued education to local hospitals and medical providers on signs and symptoms of Zika disease, epidemiology surveillance activities, continued Zika testing, and vector control and prevention measures. Additionally, funds will be used for a Zika prevention education campaign delivered via public service announcements, social media and the development of printed materials.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should City Council choose not approve this ordinance, Metro Health will not be able to accept the additional funds from the DSHS and Metro Health’s funding to support Zika prevention would end. Metro Health will not be able to maintain its current capability to address Zika in the community via lab testing, epidemiology surveillance, vector control and monitoring, and prevention education. Nor would the department would not be able to increase its capability to educate medical providers and the general public on Zika prevention measures and rapidly test, identify, monitor and report on positive identification of the Zika virus in our community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Zika grant aims to provide funding for prevention education and to fund a personnel complement of one (1) Epidemiologist position and two (2) Sanitarian I positions; to combat the Zika virus response in San Antonio for the period July 1, 2018 through July 31, 2019. There is no impact on the General Fund in the form of a match requirement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council’s approval of an ordinance to accept additional funds from the Texas Department of State Health Services for the delivery of Zika response and prevention education activities, and authorizing an existing personnel complement of three (3) full-time positions through the extended grant period.