Subject:
Title
Substance Abuse Service Expansion Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve and accept grant funding in the amount of $325,000.00 per year from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) for the Substance Abuse Service Expansion Award for the period of March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017 to expand substance abuse services for the Health Care for the Homeless Program.
No County match is required.
Delegate authority to the County Administrator to approve the contract with the service provider, Operation PAR, for services related to the grant scope of services in an amount not to exceed $325,000.00.
Body
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 relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
This award provides supplemental funding to the Health Care for the Homeless Program for Substance Abuse Service Expansion for the period of March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017. The substance abuse service expansion will improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services with a focus on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid disorders.
Funding through this program will enhance the health center’s existing model of integrated primary/behavioral health care by providing on-site Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), assessment, and MAT through a contract with Operation PAR for an identified group of 40 patients, 10 receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment for six months, and 30 receiving injectable Naltrexone, or Vivitrol, for six months coupled with counseling sessions.
Background Information:
Since 1988, medical, behavioral health, 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 need for additional substance abuse services is great. Nationwide, approximately six (6) adult men die from alcohol poisoning every day. At least 50 percent of health center patients are adult men who use/abuse alcohol. Data from Operation PAR, the County’s only licensed nonprofit provider of MAT, shows that 17% of the clients seen for inpatient detoxification for the past year were homeless. Close to 60% of the total number served (1371) have opiods as their primary drug of choice and close to 40% with alcohol as a primary drug of choice. This data indicates that this patient population has demonstrated need for ongoing treatment and continuous engagement. This award provides expansion funding to the Health Care for the Homeless Program for Substance Abuse Service Expansion for the period of March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017. The substance abuse service expansion will improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services with a focus on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid disorders.
In 2015, the County served 2,239 unduplicated homeless patients through the MMU and Safe Harbor medical clinic.
Fiscal Impact:
This award provides supplemental federal funding in the amount of $325,000 per year for the period of March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017. Ongoing funding equivalent to the amount of this award will continue beyond FY 2016 dependent upon Congressional appropriation and satisfactory performance. The new grant funds were not anticipated or included in the FY16 Adopted Budget. Additional revenue and expense will be included in the FY16 estimate and FY17 request during FY17 budget development. Human Services will submit a budget resolution to amend the FY16 budget. No County match is required.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Operation PAR
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Attachments:
Notice of Award, #H80CS00024-15-01
Final Submitted Grant Application