Houston Health Department (HHD), is seeking City Council to approval an ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 2022-366, passed and adopted May 18, 2022, that approved and authorized the submission of an electronic grant application to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for Sexually Transmitted Disease Intervention Services. The grant application was approved in the amount of $4, 351,540.00, for the initial grant period of September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023. The project period is from September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2028, with an anticipated budget amount for the duration of the project as $21,757,700.00.
Ordinance No. 2022-366, specifically authorized HHD to make the electronic application for the Grant to DSHS for the grant period from September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023, and any continuation periods thereafter, if any, not to exceed five years.
DSHS issued the continuation contract beginning a new project period and issued a new Contract Number identified as HHS001315900006, C80191 NCA, effective September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024; therefore, an amended ordinance is required because of the new DSHS contract number. The total amount of this contract will not exceed $4,351,540.00.
The STI/HIV grant supports HHD personnel and fringe benefits, HIV and STD clinical testing supplies, laboratory processing of specimens, travel and contractual agreements.
HHD will provide STD clinical services such as diagnostic and treatment services at its sexual health clinics. Program services will also include conducting STD interviews with Harris County Jail detainees with confirmed or suspected diagnosis of early syphilis.
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 agreement 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 5 years.
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