Subject:
Title
Service Area Competition grant award 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 Service Area Competition grant award for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.
• The next three-year grant period of federal funding supports the County’s Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) program for a project period starting March 1, 2023, through February 28, 2026.
• 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).
• Federal funding for the grant award is in the amount of $1,926,977.00 for the first budget year starting March 1, 2023 through February 28, 2024. This is an increase of $162,412.00 from the initial application as it includes funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic - Primary Care HIV Prevention funding previously awarded in separate grant.
• 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 14, 2023.
• In 2022, the County served 1,967 unduplicated homeless patients through the MMU 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.
• No cash match required. This grant is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Adopted Budget and the FY24 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 a three-year project period starting March 1, 2023 through February 28, 2026. 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 2022, the program provided basic health care services on the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) and at Bayside Health Clinic to 1,967 homeless patients. A majority (93%) 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 2022, the County served 1,967 unduplicated homeless patients through the MMU 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 $3,437,610.00. 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 - H80CS00024-22-00
Service Area Competition Grant Application