Subject:
Title
Notice of a grant award from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Community Vaccine Ambassador Project Continuation Funding.
label
Recommended Action:
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of a grant award for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) subaward for Continuation of the Community Vaccine Ambassador Project.
• The NHCHC Community Vaccine Ambassador Project provides funding to health centers to employ enabling services workforce (Community Health Workers, Outreach Staff, Enrollment and Eligibility Workers, etc.) to increase the number of individuals in three specific populations receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. These populations are individuals experiencing homelessness (PEH), individuals with substance use disorders (PWSUD), and individuals engaged in sex work (PESW).
• Human Services will extend our partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas to continue expanding outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and individuals with substance use disorders to increase education on the COVID-19 vaccine and have staff available to administer the vaccines when individuals are ready.
• The one-time grant award is $40,000.00 for a 9-month period of performance from October 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. No matching funds required.
• Funding for this grant is not included in the FY24 budget; however, Human Services is able to absorb the cost within the expenditure authority of the grant-funded portion of the General Fund in the Health Care for the Homeless cost center in the Pinellas County Health Program.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community.
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 relationships and public outreach
Summary:
Pinellas County was awarded FY21-22 and FY22-23 NHCHC grant funds for the Community Vaccine Ambassador Program to conduct outreach and offer vaccinations to targeted populations within the community. After two successful years of educating and vaccinating people experiencing homelessness, people with substance use disorders, and people engaging in sex work regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for the previous two fiscal years, NHCHC Vaccine Ambassador Program funding has been awarded to continue expanding efforts into FY23-24. Work will continue with the utilization of Vaccine Ambassadors who are reaching out to the three populations, with expansion of inclusion of all adult immunizations, as applicable to your region and population.
The Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Co-Applicant Governing Board accepted the grant award on November 14, 2023.
Background/Explanation:
People experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection during the pandemic because of congregate living and people with substance use disorder (PWSUD) may have increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. There is inherent overlap in these populations since many PWSUD are also experiencing homelessness, as well as overlap with other stigmatized populations such as people engaged in sex work who face unique risks for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. COVID-19 vaccination for these populations is important; however, these populations experience barriers to accessing healthcare and might have low levels of trust in the medical system due to previous experiences of trauma or stigma. To address these concerns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using trusted communicators, such as Vaccine Ambassadors, who can provide vaccination education and information to these populations. Vaccine Ambassadors include outreach workers, peer navigators, and people with lived experience of homelessness or substance use.
Fiscal Impact:
The Community Vaccine Ambassador Project awarded Pinellas County $40,000.00 in federal funding from the Center for Disease Control through the National Health Care for the Homeless Council for the period of October 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. There are no match or cost-sharing requirements. Funding for this grant was not anticipated during the development of the FY24 budget.
Funding for this grant is not included in the FY24 budget; however, Human Services is able to absorb the cost in the grant-funded portion of the General Fund (0001) in the Health Care for the Homeless cost center (301212) in the Pinellas County Health Program (1569).
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Notice of Award is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partner(s):
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas
Pinellas County Health Care for the Homeless Co-Applicant Board
Attachments:
Grants Management Form
NHCHC Continuation Award Letter
Subcontract Agreement Amendment
Project Scope of Work