Subject:
Title
Notice of grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration for the Health Center Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Funding.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the notice of grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration for the coronavirus disease 2019 funding for the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) program.
• This award provides one-time funding to support the detection and/or prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19, including maintaining or increasing health center capacity and staffing levels during a coronavirus-related public health emergency, as outlined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116136).
• Funding in the amount of $626,255.00 is for a one-year period starting April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021.
• The County is working with the Florida Department of Health to determine the best use of funds to prepare for and respond to the coronavirus disease amongst the homeless population in Pinellas County.
• The HCH co-applicant Board approved the receipt of funding and notice of award at the April 14, 2020 meeting.
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 relationship and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
This funding provides flexibility to support the detection of coronavirus and/or the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19, including maintaining or increasing health center capacity and staffing levels during a coronavirus-related public health emergency. Funding may support a wide range of in-scope activities, including but not limited to: ensuring patient and health center personnel safety and otherwise minimize COVID-19 exposure within the health center and in other locations where the health center personnel are delivering in-scope services on behalf of the health center; addressing emergent COVID-19 issues to meet the health needs of the population served by the health center, including expanding the use of telehealth to support virtual assessment and monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms, and testing and laboratory services; restoring, sustaining, and strengthening health center capacity and staffing levels, including hiring new, reemploying and/or contracting personnel, as well as supporting the reassignment of personnel resources; patient and community education; minor alteration and renovation (A/R); equipment purchase, including health information technology and telehealth equipment, vehicles, and mobile medical units; and purchase of supplies.
The HCH Co-Applicant Governing Board accepted the grant award on April 14, 2020.
Background Information:
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 April 2016, the County began offering additional medical services at the new Bayside Health Clinic located adjacent to the Safe Harbor homeless shelter.
In 2019, the County served 2,951 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 2,979 unduplicated patients by December 31, 2020.
Fiscal Impact:
Total grant award is $626,255.00 in federal funds and no match is required. This award will be included in the FY20 estimates and FY21 budget request as part of FY21 budget development.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Health Care for the Homeless Co-Applicant Board
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Attachments:
Notice of Award H8DCS36100-01-00