The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council approval of an ordinance to accept a five-year grant award in the amount of $10,227,006.25 from the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) for the continued administration of the Nurse Family Partnership Program. The current budget amount is $1,754,800.00 for the period 09/01/2023 - 08/31/2024. The project period extends from 09/01/2021 to 08/31/2026.
HHD also requests City Council authorize the Mayor to execute all related contracts, agreements, amendments and documents with the approval as to form of the City Attorney in connection with the grant program 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 apply for, 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 DFPS during the project period, and which does not require cash matching funds.
Funding from this grant is cost reimbursement for meeting program objectives of using registered nurses to regularly visit the homes of low-income, first-time mothers to provide services that help: 1) improve pregnancy outcomes; 2) improve child health and development; 3) improve family economic self-sufficiency and stability; and 4) reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect.
Funding will allow HHD to continue to provide services that include enrolling clients who are first time mothers meeting the low-income criteria, linking clients to a network of agencies offering social services and support, maintaining a home visit schedule with each client, and building community support for the program and the program benefits. Since January 2009, a total of 1,265 clients have enrolled in the NFP program, nurses completed 25,060 home visits and 99 percent of the enrollees’ children are up to date with their immunizations. HHD anticipates serving 250 clients annually.
Grant Source
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
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