Subject:
Title
Notice of grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration expanding capacity for the Coronavirus testing funding for the Health Care for the Homeless program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of the notice of grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration expanding capacity for Coronavirus testing funding for the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) program.
• This award provides one-time funding to support activities to purchase, administer, and expand capacity for testing for COVID19.
• Funding in the amount of $142,609.00 is for a one-year period starting May 1, 2020 through April 30, 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 will approve the receipt of funding and notice of award at the May 12, 2020 meeting.
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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 funding may support a wide range of testing and testing-related in-scope activities that may change as COVID-19 needs evolve within the community, including but not limited to: maintaining and increasing health center capacity and personnel levels to support coronavirus testing; development of testing plans for both active infection and prior exposure; procurement and distribution of tests; purchase of testing equipment and supplies; temporary drive- or walk-up testing, laboratory services; patient and community education related to testing; assessment of symptoms, delivering test results, and appropriate follow up assessment including by telephone, text monitoring systems, or videoconference; testing personnel to support a safe workplace and facilitate timely return to work; personnel training related to testing; outreach to patients who may be a high risk or who have access barriers; notifying identified contacts of infected health center patients of their exposure to COVID-19; reporting information on COVID-19 infection to federal, state, and local public health agencies; personal protective equipment; equipment (telehealth, temporary non-fixed barriers to separate patients, vehicles to transport patients or health center personnel); health information technology; minor alteration or renovation projects directly supporting testing capacity expansion; and the purchase or lease of mobile vans/units directly supporting testing capacity expansion.
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 $142,609.00 in federal funds and no match is required. These funds were not anticipated during the development of the FY20 budget. This award will be included in the FY20 estimates and FY21 budget request as part of FY21 budget development.
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:
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 H8ECS38958-01-00