DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jennifer Herriott, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of an application and acceptance of funds from the Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for the FY20 Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Navigator Program for Racial/Ethnic Minorities ages 13-24 grant in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of an application and the acceptance of funds upon award from the Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 for an initial term of one year to provide training and education around the risks of substance misuse, provide education on HIV/AIDS, and provide needed linkages to service provision for individuals with HIV, CFDA No. 93.243 and authorizes a personnel complement of two positions.
The funds will be used to: 1) partner with various community sectors including healthcare, schools, justice systems, social services, the faith community, and other relevant community sectors to implement comprehensive community-based substance misuse and HIV prevention strategies; 2) develop and implement public messaging and awareness campaigns on the risk of substance misuse among individuals, the importance of seeking care and treatment, risk behaviors, and appropriate cautions associated with the risk of HIV transmission; 3) provide opportunities for screening and testing for HIV and viral hepatitis for individuals in the community; 4) provide navigation services to link individuals to care for HIV and substance misuse to include follow-up to ensure individuals are engaged and retained in treatment; and 5) provide education and training to substance use disorder treatment and other healthcare providers on the importance of screening for HIV and assuring that clinical care needs are met if an individual is determined to be infected with HIV.
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, 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; 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:
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District’s (Metro Health’s) STD/HIV program currently has a STD/HIV clinic, a mobile clinic, and a PrEP clinic; however, as of December 31, 2019, Metro Health will no longer receive funds from the Texas Department of State Health Services for STD/HIV Prevention. A funding opportunity was identified that will enable Metro Health to continue to provide many of the same services provided under the STD/HIV Prevention grant. The proposed activities include: 1) partner with various community sectors including healthcare, schools, justice systems, social services, the faith community, and other relevant community sectors to implement comprehensive community-based substance misuse and HIV prevention strategies; 2) develop and implement public messaging and awareness campaigns on the risk of substance misuse among individuals living with HIV, the importance of seeking care and treatment, risk behaviors, and appropriate cautions associated with the risk of HIV transmission; 3) provide opportunities for screening and testing for HIV and viral hepatitis for individuals in the community; 4) provide navigation services to link individuals to care for HIV and substance misuse and follow-up to ensure individuals are engaged and retained in treatment; and 5) provide education and training to substance use disorder treatment and other healthcare providers on the importance of screening for HIV and assuring that clinical care needs are met if an individual is determined to be infected with HIV.
On October 27, 2019 the Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration posted the FY 2020 Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Navigator Program for Racial/Ethnic Minorities Ages 13-24 grant. The application is due December 27, 2019. Metro Health will apply for $200,000.00 to fund two full-time positions and to develop and distribute substance misuse and HIV prevention educational materials. If awarded, the grant is expected to start August 31, 2020 and will end August 30, 2021.
ISSUE:
Metro Health requests City Council authorize the submission of an application for and acceptance of funds upon award in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 from the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The funds will be used to provide training and education around the risks of substance misuse, provide education on HIV/AIDS, and provide needed linkages to service provision for individuals with HIV. Metro Health also requests City Council authorize a personnel complement of two (2) full-time positions to support the delivery of services as required by the funding opportunity.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should City Council not to approve this ordinance, Metro Health will not be able to continue programs that provide training and education around the risks of substance misuse, promote education on HIV/AIDS, and offer needed linkage to service provisions for individuals living with HIV.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of an application and acceptance of funds from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 for the HIV Prevention Navigator Program grant to provide services to those at highest risk for HIV and substance use disorders for a term beginning August 31, 2020 through August 30, 2021 and authorizes a personnel complement of two positions. Metro Health will have the opportunity to apply for an additional four years of non-competitive funding. There is no impact on the City’s General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council authorize the submission of an application and the acceptance of grant funds upon award from the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 for a term beginning August 31, 2020 and ending August 30, 2021 for the FY 2020 Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Navigator Program for Racial/Ethnic Minorities ages 13-24 grant and authorizing two (2) full-time positions.