Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton - Executive Director
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Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
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Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by Public Health Services for approval of five positions effective December 13, 2025 for the GY22 Harris Cares Embrace Hope Grant Program.
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Background and Discussion:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is requesting the creation of five positions (four Field Technicians and one Program Coordinator) funded through our GY22 Harris Cares Embrace Hope grant (2601), to ensure continuity of our Wastewater Surveillance Program, as well as strengthen program capacity, and align with our agency's long-term strategic goals. The Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Program enables early detection of emerging diseases to strengthen public health interventions. By combining wastewater data with other surveillance sources, such as clinical and hospital data, the program provides a comprehensive view of community health. The program, operated in partnership with wastewater treatment plants, currently monitors 28 active sites with plans to expand to 50. It tracks over 10 pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, Norovirus, and Measles, with ongoing efforts to broaden surveillance capacity.
Expected Impact:
These positions will work in collaboration to ensure samples are collected, dropped off to laboratory, all sites are visited on time, and potential new partners who are interested in b...
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