DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dawn Emerick, Ed. D
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Approving the acceptance of funds from the National Association for County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for the Promising Practices grant.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds from NACCHO’s Promising Practices grant in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 starting March 1, 2020 through March 28, 2021.
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; 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:
NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP), solicited applications to fund at least five Local Health Departments up to $25,000 to implement and evaluate promising approaches to congenital syphilis prevention in November 2019.
Priority for funding would go to projects that are:
Ready for implementation
Feasible across the country
Promising to affect outcomes
Metro Heath applied for and was awarded funding for the Healthy Beats program to provide advertising, printing, and publications to educate the San Antonio community of the need for syphilis testing and adequate syphilis treatment for the prevention of congenital syphilis.
Congenital syphilis is a disease that occurs when a pregnant person with syphilis passes the infection to the fetus during pregnancy. From 2012 - 2017, Bexar County identified approximately 49 reported cases of congenital syphilis and in 2018 experienced a stark increase to 61 cases. Metro Health’s Healthy Beats Program (HBP) was established in October 2013 in response to the increasing rates of congenital syphilis with the goal of providing prenatal case management to include providing and maintaining access to prenatal care, offering referral services for needs identified, and ensuring routine screening and treatment for syphilis. Healthy Beats staff ensure third trimester testing is completed according to Chapter 81.090 of the Texas Health and Safety code, which states the ideal time for third trimester testing is between 28 and 32 weeks. The HBP objectives include (1) enroll 120 pregnant women into case management services from the SAMHD STD/HIV Clinic and surrounding Bexar County community, (2) provide follow-up testing to women with syphilitic history, (3) collaborate with Public Health Follow-up to ensure adequate treatment, and (4) conduct third trimester syphilis testing.
The Metropolitan Health District executed a Special Category Grant Opportunity form in order to apply for this opportunity. The application was submitted on January 10, 2020. Notice of Award was received on March 13, 2020.
ISSUE:
Metro Health requests City Council approve the acceptance of funds from NACCHO for the Promising Practices award in the amount of $25,000.00 beginning March 1, 2020 and ending March 28, 2021 to support promising practices in the prevention of congenital syphilis.
Metro Health submitted the grant application documents including a face page and budget to NACCHO prior to the City Council meeting with approval from a Special Category Grant Authorization form.
ALTERNATIVES:
Without these funds, San Antonio will be unable to provide advertising, printing and publications to educate the San Antonio community of the need for syphilis testing and adequate syphilis treatment for the prevention of congenital syphilis.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds from NACCHO for the Promising Practices grant in the amount of $25,000.00 beginning March 1, 2020 through March 28, 2021. There is no impact in the form of a cash match to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council approve the acceptance of funds from NACCHO for the Promising Practices grant and approval to execute the grant documents.