Department: Public Health Services
Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton ─ Interim Executive Director
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): U.S. Food and Drug Administration
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Public Health Services for approval to submit an application to the National Environmental Health Association/U.S. Food and Drug Administration for grant funds in the amount of $370,500, with no required match, for the 2025 Retail Flexible Funding Model (RFFM) Grant Program.
end
Background and Discussion:
In 2022, Harris County Public Health’s Environmental Public Health division applied to and was awarded funding from the Retail Flexible Funding Model (RFFM) grant program. This program provided resources to EPH’s food safety program to promote, maintain, and advance FDA Retail Food Program Standards. These standards provide a comprehensive framework for regulatory food safety programs to prevent foodborne illnesses and promote public health. For the Calendar Year 2025, PHS seeks to renew funding through the RFFM in three categories: 1) Maintenance and Advancement, 2) Capacity-Building, and 3) Training.
Expected Impact:
EPH’s Food Safety Program aims to reduce foodborne illnesses and strengthen food safety capabilities in Harris County and the surrounding region. The RFFM grant will significantly enhance the program’s capacity to evaluate inspection processes, train regulatory staff, and improve foodborne illness and food defense preparedness and response. The Capacity-Building Optional Add-On will sustain the Retail Program Standards Coordinator position, which serves to ensure continuous improvements in food safety practices and guide the department’s efforts to meet FDA Retail Program Standards. The Training Optional Add-On will able EPH food safety inspectors to participate in national food safety programs and conferences, which will increase the team's expertise, improve inspection accuracy, and ensure compliance with best practices aimed at reducing foodborne illness. The expected outcomes of this grant include a reduction in foodborne illnesses, improved regulatory practices, and enhanced public health safety in Harris County. By positioning HCPH as a leader in adopting and advancing food safety standards, the county will contribute to the broader public health goal of preventing foodborne disease outbreaks and safeguarding community health.
Alternative Options:
The court could choose not to allow HCPH to apply for this grant, which would impact available resources to combat foodborne illnesses in Harris County and ensure residents' safety.
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
X Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
01/25/2022 |
22-0512 |
Passed: Request by Public Health Services for approval to submit an application to the National Environmental Health Association for grant funds in the amount of $616,500, with no required match, for the CY 2022 Retail Flexible Funding Model Program. |
|
04/05/2022 |
22-2323 |
Passed: Request by Public Health Services for approval to accept from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) grant funds in the amount of $300,000, with no required match, for the FY 2022 Retail Flexible Funding Model-Capacity Building |
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 Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
|
$101,566 |
$26,934 |
$128,500 |
$242,000 |
|
. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$101,566 |
$26,934 |
$128,500 |
$242,000 |
|
Total Funding Request |
$101,566 |
$26,934 |
$128,500 |
$242,000 |
|
Personnel(Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: November 12, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): November 20, 2024
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): Grant NOFO, Grant Opportunity Synopsis