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 (DSHS) for the Hurricane Recovery Crisis Cooperative Agreement grant
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of funds upon award in an amount not to exceed $232,959.00 from DSHS. Funds will be available upon award in November 2018 through June 2020. DSHS provided this opportunity to local health departments on August 27, 2018. The application was due September 14, 2018. Metro Health requested approval to apply for the grant through a Special Category Grant Authorization and approval to submit the grant was obtained on September 12, 2018.
If awarded, the Hurricane Recovery Crisis Cooperative Agreement grant (CFDA 93.354) will enhance current vector/mosquito control operations by funding pesticides, equipment and other resources to supplement the needs of the vector control program and increase capacity to properly maintain vaccine supply temperatures, known as the cold chain, during emergencies.
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, 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 awarded to the grant inclusive of the amount accepted through this ordinance; 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 state regulations mandated by the funding agency.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On August 27, 2018 DSHS announced the Hurricane Crisis Cooperative grant funding opportunity made available from funds awarded to them from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC awarded DSHS over $16 million for targeted hurricane recovery and preparedness activities. Of this total, $11 million is dedicated to funding local public health activities with a strong link to hurricane recovery and/or preparedness activities. The majority of the funds are targeted to jurisdictions that were included in the 2017 sixty county Hurricane Harvey Governor’s disaster declaration.
The funding opportunity included requests for projects aligning with the following areas: (1) Immunizations capacity during disaster response; (2) Maternal and child health outcomes; (3) Foodborne, waterborne, environmental disease surveillance; (4) Infection control and prevention training and education; (5) Vector Control; and, (6) Harvey recovery community assessments for public health emergency response. After a review of the requirements for each project description passed down from CDC to DSHS, Metro Health matched application criteria with service capacity to pursue applications for the following projects: (1) Immunizations capacity during disaster response for cold chain vaccine storage needs and (2) Vector control through traditional surveillance and countermeasures for vector-borne disease.
The vector control project will enhance current vector/mosquito control operations following Hurricane Harvey. Funds will be used to purchase additional mosquito control supplies, to identify population counts by species from mosquito surveillance traps, and to enhance our existing media campaign to reduce mosquito populations. Funds for advertising and publication will be spent on print material to educate the public on mosquito prevention measures and to develop a media campaign using television, radio, social media platforms and billboards.
The immunizations capacity cold chain project will increase capacity to provide support with maintaining the cold chain for vaccine supplies during emergencies, such as hurricanes. The purpose of the vaccine “cold chain” is to maintain product quality from the time of manufacture until the point of administration by ensuring that vaccines are stored and transported within World Health Organization recommended temperature ranges.The funds will increase the Metro Health Immunization Program’s capacity to accept, store, and distribute vaccines during emergencies. The Immunization Program will use funds to purchase four portable refrigerator/freezers, two generators, three refrigerators, two freezers, and other supplies to enhance and supplement Metro Health’s current cold chain for vaccine supplies.
ISSUE:
Metro Health requests City Council authorize the acceptance of funds upon award from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in an amount not to exceed $232,959.00 for 20-months for the Hurricane Recovery Crisis Cooperative Agreement grant. The funds will be used to enhance current vector/mosquito control operations by funding pesticides, equipment and other resources to supplement the needs of the vector control program following Hurricane Harvey and increase capacity to provide support with maintaining the cold chain for vaccine supplies during emergencies.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should City Council choose not to approve this ordinance, Metro Health will not be able to supplement programs that target vector control following emergencies such as hurricanes or to provide increased capacity to support the maintenance of the cold chain for vaccine supplies during emergencies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting City Council authorization for the acceptance of funds in an amount up to $232,959.00 for the Hurricane Recovery Crisis Cooperative Agreement grant. This grant will provide funding to enhance current vector/mosquito control operations by funding pesticides, equipment and an education/media campaign to supplement the needs of the vector control program following Hurricane Harvey. The proposed budget for the vector control project is $207,801.00. Currently, Metro Health receives grant funds to address Zika locally. The Zika grant includes a budget of $36,695.00 for marketing efforts and $85,000.00 for additional efforts, including personnel. Furthermore, Metro Health’s General Fund budget includes $109,061.00 for two vector control-related positions for Fiscal Year 2019.
The proposed budget for the immunization cold chain project is $25,158.00. Project funds will be used to increase the Health Department's capacity to provide support with maintaining the cold chain for vaccine supplies during emergencies.
If awarded, the Hurricane Recovery Crisis Cooperative Agreement grant funds will be available from November 2018 through June 2020. There is no impact on the General Fund in the form of a match requirement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council authorize the acceptance of funds upon award, in an amount not to exceed $232,959.00 for a 20-month period from DSHS for the Hurricane Recovery Crisis Cooperative Agreement grant.