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): FY25_WATERSURV
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): National Association of County and City Health Official (NACCHO)
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 accept from the National Association of County and City Health Officials grant funds in the amount of $20,000, with no required match, for the FY 2025 Wastewater Surveillance Mentorship Program.
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Background and Discussion:
The purpose of this award is to enhance our wastewater surveillance program by strengthening data analysis techniques, refining operational protocols, and fostering strategic partnerships. Key interests include capacity building for outbreak detection and integrating advanced technologies to support public health readiness. Harris County Public Health currently has a Data Usage Agreement (DUA) and contract with University of Texas School of Public Health that allows Harris County to send COVID-19 testing and case-related data to the University for analysis to inform our COVID-19 testing operations. This analysis seeks to answer questions as they relate to Long COVID, the Wastewater surveillance program, and creating a model for identifying areas with highest burden of health disparities. The University has provided Harris County with a deeper understanding of our data than we could do alone. Also, at the county’s request, the University has provided analysis with a health equity lens, consistent with our cornerstone value of Equity.
Expected Impact:
This award will allow Harris County to gain access to expert guidance, technical support, and best practices from leading wastewater surveillance programs nationwide. It’ll also enhanced capacity to monitor and respond to emerging public health threats, such as outbreaks of respiratory viruses, gastrointestinal diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Participation in this program strengthens the county’s position as a leader in wastewater epidemiology, increasing eligibility for future grant funding and research partnerships. It fosters stronger collaboration with local municipalities, wastewater utilities, and academic institutions to maximize the impact of wastewater surveillance data. Wastewater surveillance is a proactive and cost-effective tool that provides insights into population health without relying solely on clinical testing. By refining its approach through mentorship, the county can optimize resource allocation and improve efficiency in public health monitoring. Establishing a more robust wastewater surveillance system helps prepare Harris County for future pandemics and emerging health threats. The mentorship program can serve as a foundation for expanding surveillance to monitor additional public health concerns (e.g., substance use trends, antibiotic resistance).
Alternative Options:
There is no alternative option.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N: Improve the health behaviors of community members.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Wastewater Surveillance |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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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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Anticipated Court Date: 5/8/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 2/1/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Jennifer Kiger, MPH, Director of the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases, Public Health Services
Attachments (if applicable): Contract