The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council approval and authorization of an ordinance to increase the maximum contract amount and authorize a Second Amendment to an agreement between the City of Houston and the Department of State Health Services. The amendment extends the date of the agreement, as amended, to August 31, 2023. The budget is amended to add $187,313.00, from the period September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022; and $187,313.00 from the time period September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023. The additional funding amount of the Contract is $374,626.00.
HHD also requests City Council authorize the Mayor to execute all related contracts, agreements and documents with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the Amendment and to authorize the Director or 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 DSHS during the project period and if it does not require cash matching funds.
The purpose of this grant is to continue HHD's capacity to respond to all disease reports from laboratories, health care providers and other disease reporters such as school nurses and health care facility administrators; and, complete all surveillance and case investigation activities relevant to the disease.
HHD will perform surveillance and epidemiology activities for all notifiable infectious disease conditions, such as COVID-19, Hepatitis A, B and C and vaccine preventable diseases. The primary emphasis is directed to conditions reported through the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS).
HHD epidemiology and surveillance staff will conduct case and outbreak investigations on all notifiable conditions reported through NEDSS; assess the quality of surveillance data, perform analyses on surveillance data and prepare situational updates on outbreaks. HHD will conduct timely monitoring and management of incoming infectious disease laboratory reports.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Stephen L Williams, M.Ed, M.P.A.
Director - Houston Health Department