Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton - Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
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): 15%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Rate is not 0% and is listed above.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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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 no required match, for the Maternal Health Outcomes Grant Program.
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Background and Discussion:
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Grant for Maternal Health Outcomes provides cost-reimbursement funding to enhance, expand, or modify existing maternal health initiatives that reduce severe obstetric complications (SOCs) and improve maternal health outcomes. Harris County Public Health’s (HCPH) Community Health and Wellness Division (CHWD) administers Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programming and is seeking the Court’s permission to apply for this new funding opportunity. If awarded, CHWD would leverage existing infrastructure to sustain access to services and further support maternal health in Harris County beyond current funding. The MCH program supports expectant and new parents through home visiting services delivered by trained professionals who provide individualized guidance, education, and support, as well as assistance connecting families to prenatal care, postpartum care, and resources for infants and young children. Services are provided at no cost to eligible Harris County residents who are pregnant, postpartum (up to 12 months), or who have experienced pregnancy loss. The MCH program staff are currently funded through ARPA funds set to expire in September 2026. If awarded, this grant would replace the ARPA funding to help sustain the MCH program in FY27.
Expected Impact:
If awarded, this grant would enhance the capacity of HCPH’s Maternal & Child Health Program to strengthen and sustain its existing, evidence-based maternal health services, including home visiting support and resource connection. Grant funding would support program staff, allowing HCPH to continue addressing maternal health risks and improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum residents in Harris County beyond ARPA roll-off. Funding would support strengthen administrative, technological, and data-driven systems that support maternal health care delivery and program oversight, helping address gaps in maternal health outcomes, particularly in communities with unmet needs or higher rates of complications. Severe obstetric complications (SOCs) are serious, life-threatening conditions that can occur during pregnancy, delivery, or the postpartum period, including cardiac events, severe hemorrhage, sepsis, respiratory failure, and other critical medical emergencies. Through this grant, the MCH program would be positioned to support interventions that address SOCs and improve continuity of care. Overall, the grant would support improved maternal health outcomes and help promote safer pregnancies and postpartum experiences for Harris County residents.
Alternative Options:
The court could choose not to approve HCPH’s request to apply for the funding. Doing so would impact the MCH program’s ongoing viability and result in drastic cuts to existing programming and staff.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: P: Improve children’s health outcomes.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):
Economy Initiative (Goal 3):
Health Initiative (Goal 4): P3: Enhance maternal and child health and development services.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5):
Housing Initiative (Goal 6):
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$637,500 |
$362,500 |
$1,000,000 |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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Anticipated Court Date: 1/29/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 2/5/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Dr. Ericka Brown, Director of Community Health and Wellness Division, Public Health Services
Attachments (if applicable): RFA, Grant Synopsis, Exhibits for Judge's Signature