ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the submission of a grant application to the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, FOR INTEGRATED VIRAL HEPATITIS SURVEILLANCE AND PREVENTION for the City of Houston Health Department (the “Grant”); declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grant; authorizing the Director of the Houston Health Department to act as the City’s representative in the application process; authorizing the Director of the Houston Health Department to accept the Grant and expend the Grant Funds, as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the Grant

The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council approval of an ordinance approving and authorizing a grant application to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to support integrated viral hepatitis surveillance and prevention programs. The project period is from 05/01/2021 through April 30, 2026. The total amount requested is $ 1,575,000.00. The initial budget period is May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022. The annual amount requested is $ 315,000.00.

HHD also requests City Council to authorize the Mayor to execute all related contracts, agreements, and documents with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant application and to authorize the Director of his designee to act as the City’s representative with the authority to apply for , accept and expend the grant funds as awarded, and to accept and expend  all subsequent  supplemental awards, if any, and to extend the term and/or budget and project period not to exceed five years, if extended by CDC during the project period and does not require cash matching funds.

The key strategies for this grant opportunity include viral hepatitis outbreak planning and response; and surveillance for acute hepatitis A, B, and C, and chronic hepatitis C. If awarded HHD will develop a jurisdictional viral hepatitis elimination plan, increase comprehensive hepatitis B and C reporting, improve HBV and HCV testing and increase healthcare providers trained to treat hepatitis B and C. The following activities are supported by this funding opportunity; surveillance for chronic hepatitis B and perinatal hepatitis C; increased hepatitis B and C testing and referral to care in high impact settings such as substance use disorder (SUD) treatment centers, correctional facilities, emergency departments and sexually transmitted disease clinics; and increased access to services preventing viral hepatitis and other infections among persons who inject drugs.

FISCAL NOTE:

No Fiscal Note is required on Grant Items.

_____________________________

Stephen L. Williams, MEd., M.P.A.

Director – Houston Health Department

$1,575,000.00

Federal Government Fund 

Fund 5000

Porfirio Villarreal

Telephone - 832-393-5041; 713-826-5695