Subject:
Title
Funding Agreement with Operation PAR, Inc., for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council competitive subaward of the 2021 Vaccine Ambassador Project.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Funding Agreement with Operation PAR, Inc. (Operation PAR) for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) competitive subaward for the 2021 Vaccine Ambassador Project.
• Operation PAR will staff a peer specialist vaccine ambassador to provide outreach and engagement services to enable individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Under this grant, Human Services will partner with Operation PAR and the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas (DOH) to expand outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and individuals with substance use disorders to increase education on the COVID-19 vaccine. The project will also have staff available to administer the vaccines.
• The County received a one-time grant award for an 8-month period of performance from December 17, 2021, through July 31, 2022, in the amount of $137,000.00 Operation PAR has been allocated $52,120.00 through this Agreement. DOH will receive $83,480.00 for a Community Health Nurse and $1,400.00 allocated to Pinellas County Human Services for supplies. No matching funds are required.
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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:
This Agreement provides funding for the Vaccine Ambassador Project. Through this project, Operation PAR will staff a peer specialist to provide outreach and engagement services to enable individuals experiencing homelessness and/or substance use disorders to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a program partner, DOH will provide a Community Health Nurse to administer the vaccines.
Background/Explanation:
The NHCHC Vaccine Ambassador Project provides funding to health centers to employ an enabling services workforce to increase the number of individuals in three specific populations receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. These populations are individuals experiencing homelessness, individuals with substance use disorders, and individuals engaged in sex work.
The project aims to improve COVID-19 immunizations by implementing vaccine ambassadors (community health workers and peer navigators) to reach marginalized populations that are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Strategies include participating in trainings and person-centered care to assess systemic barriers to COVID-19 vaccine to build vaccine confidence. Project performance will be measured by the number of vaccine ambassadors, number of individuals engaged, and the number of individuals vaccinated.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $52,120.00 in fiscal year 2022 (FY22) is provided through the 2021 Vaccine Ambassador Project awarded by the NHCHC for the funding period of December 17, 2021 through July 31, 2022.
Appropriation to support related grant activities is not consistent with the development of the FY22 Adopted Budget. A budget amendment will be brought forward separately if needed.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Operation PAR, Inc.
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas
Pinellas County Health Care for the Homeless Co-Applicant Board
Attachments:
Agreement
Appendices