Subject:
Title
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
Accept the Service Area Competition (SAC) grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the amount of $922,179.00 for the Health Care for the Homeless program effective March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017.
It is also recommended the County Administrator be delegated authority to approve additional grant funding from HRSA for the program that may occur during the budget period of March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017.
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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:
This award for federal funding supports the County’s Health Care for the Homeless program for a three-year project period starting March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2019. Funding in the amount of $922,179 is for the first budget year starting March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017.
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 2015, the program provided basic health care services on the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) and at Safe Harbor homeless shelter to 2,239 homeless patients whose income was 100% below the Federal Poverty Level.
The Mobile Medical Unit Advisory Council, the co-applicant governing board, approved the grant award on March 1, 2016.
Background Information:
Through the federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 SAC, HRSA awarded approximately $1.2 billion in funding to an estimated 465 SAC applicants. A SAC application is a request for federal financial assistance to continue support of comprehensive primary health care services in a service area currently served by a health center program grantee whose project period is ending in FY 2016.
Since 1988, medical and dental care referrals have been provided to the homeless population in the County via the MMU. Primary health care is provided at no charge to homeless patients with incomes at or below 100% of the FPL. The MMU visits shelters, soup kitchens, drop-in centers and other locations where the homeless congregate. In late 2014, the County began offering additional medical services in the Safe Harbor homeless shelter with federal expanded services funding awarded. In the spring of 2016, those services will move into the new Bayside Health Clinic located adjacent to the shelter.
In 2015, the County served 2,239 unduplicated homeless patients through the MMU and Safe Harbor medical 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 2,390 unduplicated patients by December 31, 2017.
Fiscal Impact:
This award totals $922,179 in federal funds. The County anticipates applying non-federal funds to the program totaling approximately $1,002,955.00.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Homeless Leadership Board
Attachments:
HRSA Notice of Award, #2H80CS00024-15-00
Pinellas County Budget Justification and Narrative