Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton, Executive Director
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): National Association of County and City Health Officials
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): 5%
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 submit an application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for grant funds in the amount of $20,000, with no required match, for the Wastewater Surveillance Mentorship Program.
end
Background and Discussion:
The purpose for this application is to allow our program the opportunity to expand surveillance coverage, streamline operations through standardized protocols, and train staff in advanced analytical methods. These efforts will ensure our team is well-equipped to respond to emerging public health threats effectively.
Expected Impact:
Harris County aims to increase the geographic and demographic reach of its wastewater surveillance program by onboarding additional MUDs, particularly in underserved and high-risk areas. Stakeholder engagement will be critical to building trust and operationalizing these partnerships. Ensure program consistency and scalability, comprehensive SOPs will be developed and disseminated. Offer training sessions that will equip field technicians and lab staff with the tools and knowledge to implement these protocols effectively. Through collaboration with TEPHI, advanced sequencing capabilities will be used to detect emerging pathogens such as mpox, RSV, and influenza. Integration of data into public dashboards and predictive models will enhance outbreak readiness and resource allocation. Staff training and community outreach will foster greater understanding of wastewater surveillance. Public-facing dashboards will be enhanced to increase transparency and stakeholder engagement. A mid-year evaluation will identify successes, gaps, and areas for improvement. Findings will guide the creation of a sustainability roadmap, ensuring the program’s long-term viability and scalability.
Alternative Options:
N/A
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): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): O3: Increase utilization of health-related public benefits.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
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Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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Grant |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
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No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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Anticipated Court Date: 1/9/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 1/11/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Jennifer Kiger, Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases Director, Public Health Services
Attachments (if applicable): Request for Application, Scope of Work, Budget Narrative