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File #: 25-2628    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Grant Status: Passed
File created: 4/23/2025 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 5/8/2025 Final action: 5/8/2025
Title: Request by Public Health Services for approval to accept from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission grant funds in the amount of $1,000,000, with an in-kind match of 1,000,000, for the FY2025-26 Community Mental Health Program.

Primary Department: Public Health Services

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton ─ Interim Executive Director

 

Secondary Department: N/A

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Grant - Award

 

Project ID (if applicable): N/A

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Health and Human Services Commission

 

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): 10%

Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Rate is not 0% and is listed above.

 

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):

title

Request by Public Health Services for approval to accept from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission grant funds in the amount of $1,000,000, with an in-kind match of 1,000,000, for the FY2025-26 Community Mental Health Program.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

On February 27, 2024, the Court approved a request from Public Health Services to apply to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Community Mental Health grant. The application sought $1 million for the Community Mental Health Program to provide behavioral health and supportive services to participants in the five ACCESS Harris County program cohorts. HHSC issued an Intent to Award on July 16, 2024, informing Harris County we were tentatively granted the award. We request the court’s approval to accept the funds, which will enable ACCESS to provide mental health care treatment and services to individuals experiencing mental illness. 

 

Expected Impact:

With these funds, ACCESS Harris County will expand behavioral health services for cohort members, who are among the county’s most vulnerable residents. The goal is to improve their health, well-being, sustained recovery, and self-sufficiency. The funding will enhance critical support services through strengthened community partnerships, which are essential for recruiting clients, ensuring program retention, and keeping participants engaged in their care. By addressing and removing common barriers to care, such as access to childcare, transportation, housing, and employment and education resources, the program will ensure individuals not only access services but also maintain consistent participation in their mental health care. This expanded support will ultimately help participants overcome obstacles and achieve better long-term outcomes.

 

Alternative Options:

The court could not accept this grant award, which would impact ACCESS Harris’ ability to expand the mental health services for program participants. 

 

County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.

County Strategic Plan Objective: O: Increase access to quality health care, including preventive and behavioral health.

Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):

Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):

Economy Initiative (Goal 3):

Health Initiative (Goal 4):

Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5):

Housing Initiative (Goal 6):

 

Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

02/27/2024

238

Passed: Request by Public Health Services for approval to submit an application to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for grant funds in the amount of $1,000,000, with a required match of $1,000,000 for the FY 25 Community Mental Health Grant

 

Location:

Address (if applicable): N/A

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

Public Health Services

 

 

Current Fiscal Year Cost

Annual Fiscal Cost

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

Recurring Expenses

Funding Sources

 

Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

 

$

$

$

$

 

$

$

$

$

 

$

$

$

$

Total Existing Budget

$

$

$

$

Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

 

$

$

$

$

 

$

$

$

$

 

$

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Request

$

$

$

$

Total Funding Sources

$

$

$

$

Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only)

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

No. of Grant Years

Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Grant

$1,000,000

$

$1,000,000

2

Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request:

$

$

$

 

Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total)

$1,000,000

$

$1,000,000

 

Personnel(Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs)

 

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

-

-

Additional Positions Request

-

-

-

-

Total Personnel

-

-

-

-

 

Anticipated Court Date: May 08, 2025

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): May 08, 2025

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Brandon Maddox, Director, Office of Planning and Innovation, Public Health Services

 

Attachments (if applicable): Contract; internal signature page; submitted grant application