Subject:
Title
Grant award for continuation funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration for the Health Care for the Homeless program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the continuation funding grant award of $1,926,977.00 for the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.
• Federal funding supports the County’s HCH program for a budget period starting March 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025.
• Federal funding supports the provision of medical, dental, and behavioral health care for individuals experiencing homelessness and receiving care at the Bayside Clinic and Mobile Medical Unit (MMU).
• Funding for the grant award is in the amount of $1,926,977.00 with $802,907.00 released in the Notice of Award (NOA) (H80CS00024-22-00) and $160,581.00 released in the NOA (H80CS00024-22-01). These two NOAs represent funding for a total of 6 months of pro-rated Health Center Program continuation award funding based on your Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 continuation funding target. The balance of funding for your FY24 budget period will be provided in a subsequent action and based on the final FY24 Health Center Program appropriation.
• The HCH Co-Applicant Board maintains shared oversight and authority of the HCH program as defined in the Co-Applicant Agreement, last approved on March 9, 2021. The Co-Applicant Board accepted the grant award on February 13, 2024.
• In 2023, the County served 2,525 unduplicated homeless patients through the MMU, Bayside Health Clinic, and Street Medicine Program. This award will allow the County to continue providing primary medical care and prevention services to homeless residents. The funding will support clinical services for 2,831 unduplicated patients by December 31, 2024.
• No cash match required. This grant is included in the FY24 Adopted Budget and will be in the FY25 departmental budget request.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationship and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
This award for federal funding supports the County’s Health Care for the Homeless program for the next budget period starting March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025. The purpose of this grant program is to improve the health of the Nation’s underserved communities and vulnerable populations by assuring continued access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services. In 2023, the program provided basic health care services on the MMU, Street Medicine Program and at Bayside Health Clinic to 2,525 homeless patients. A majority (87%) of these clients have an income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
The HCH Co-Applicant Board serves as the patient/community-based governing board to set health center policy for the Healthcare for the Homeless Program on behalf of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. As a public center, the HCH Co-Applicant Board includes a representative majority of consumer/patient representatives, meets monthly, and fulfills all the required authorities of a governing board.
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Background Information:
Since 1988, medical and dental care referrals have been provided to the homeless population in the County via the MMU. The MMU visits shelters, soup kitchens, drop-in centers and other locations where the homeless congregate. In April 2016, the County opened the Bayside Health Clinic located adjacent to the Safe Harbor homeless
shelter. In 2023, the HCH program piloted the Street Medicine Program.
In 2023, the County served 2,525 unduplicated homeless patients through the MMU, Street Medicine Program and Bayside Health Clinic. This award will allow the County to continue providing primary medical care and prevention services to homeless residents. The funding will support clinical services for 2,831 unduplicated patients by December 31, 2024.
Fiscal Impact:
This grant award is for $1,926,977.00 in federal funds. While no cash match is required, the County anticipates applying non-federal funds to the program totaling approximately $3,904,671.00. This grant is included in the FY23 & FY24 Budgets.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Health Care for the Homeless Co-Applicant Board
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Operation PAR
Directions for Living
Homeless Leadership Alliance
Attachments:
Notice of Award - H80CS00024-23-00
Notice of Award - H80CS00024-23-01
Budget Period Progress Report