DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Colleen M. Bridger, MPH, PhD
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing a revised program budget and increase to the personnel complement for the Stand UP SA program
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes a revised program budget and increase to the personnel complement to convert 12 City temporary positions to part-time grant funded positions for the Stand UP SA program currently funded through the Medicaid 1115 Waiver program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On February 15, 2018, City Council authorized program budgets and associated personnel complements for seven Metro Health programs currently funded through Metro Health’s Medicaid 1115 Waiver program (1115 Waiver) via Ordinance No. 2018-02-15-0108. This authorization included one (1) full-time position and a budget for salaries for 12 temporary positions for the Stand UP SA program funded through the 1115 Waiver.
These City temporary employees currently serve as Community Outreach Workers who employ a public health prevention approach to reducing violence and recidivism rates near and within the communities of Wheatley Heights, EastPoint and Camelot. The program targets children and young adults that are at high-risk of perpetrating violence. These staff members are trained in specialized intervention strategies aimed to de-escalate situations to prevent further violence from occurring. They also work to enroll high-risk youth into Stand Up SA’s case management program, which connects those at-risk individuals with relevant and effective resources, services, and support groups within the community. Through this Ordinance, the department will convert these positions to part-time grant funded positions to support program operations.
ISSUE:
Metro Health has operated the Stand UP SA program since 2014. In 2017, the program was provided an opportunity to participate in the Medicaid 1115 Waiver program with a goal of reducing recidivism rates amongst program participants. Through this Ordinance, Metro Health is requesting to convert 12 City temporary positions to 12 part-time grant funded positions.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this Ordinance is not approved, Metro Health will be unable to convert 12 City temporary positions to part-time grant funded positions for the Stand UP SA program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Through this Ordinance, City Council is authorizing a revised program budget and increase to the personnel complement to convert 12 City temporary positions to part-time grant funded positions for the Stand UP SA program currently funded through the Medicaid 1115 Waiver program. As part-time grant funded positions, the Stand UP SA program staff will become eligible for an added benefit by participating in the City’s Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS); however, the retirement benefit requires employees to contribute 6% of salaries to TMRS. To offset the cost of the retirement contribution to the employee, each will receive a 6% pay increase.
This ordinance approves the cost of the transition of the 12 City temporary positions to 12 part-time grant funded positions of $41,780.00 which will be funded through Metro Health’s Medicaid 1115 Waiver fund. If approved, this action would take effect January 1, 2019.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance authorizing the revised program budget and increase to the personnel complement to convert 12 City temporary positions to part-time grant funded positions for the Stand UP SA program.