Recommendation:
The Director of the Houston Health Department (HHD) recommends that City Council approve an Ordinance authorizing the Director to accept a grant award from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), contract number HHS001341600011, for the renewal of the Harris County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Grant Program for the contract period of September 01, 2024 through August 31, 2025 with an initial grant allocation of $471,949.00. The project performance period covered by this grant is from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2029. The total projected award amount is not to exceed $4,063,848.00.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Harris County Aging and Disability Resource Center grant supports the Texas “No Wrong Door” system in Harris County to streamline public access to long-term care, assists people navigating complex systems of services offered by government agencies, non-profit organizations and other service providers. Additionally, the grant provides objective information and assistance to help clients understand available options and make informed decisions about healthcare, housing, transportation and other long-term services and support they may need to live in their communities. The ADRC received over 26,000 calls in the last year from people requesting information or services, not including voicemail messages. The calls resulted in 11,728 referrals made to the Harris County Area Agency on Aging (HCAAA), a division of the department. Fifty-one veterans were served, 33 caregivers received 3,784 hours of respite care and 296 Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid cell phone applications were submitted or assisted in submitting.
The utilization of the grant allocation is: 92% for personnel and fringe benefits, 1% for travel and conferences, 1% for equipment and supplies, and 6% for professional and contractual services (ASL interpreters needed for employees that have hearing difficulties, outreach materials needed to promote independence and Housing Navigator program to assist people in re-entering their community after extended stays at long-term care facilities).
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 application 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, without further council action.
Grant Source:
The funding for this project is from a state government grant through the State of Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed., MPA
Director - Houston Health Department