Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Erica Lee Carter, County Administrator
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): 100001000001583
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Houston Endowment
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item. N/A
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by the Office of County Administration for approval to accept an amendment to an agreement with the Houston Endowment to extend the grant end date to September 30, 2026, for the Harris County Language Access Program.
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Background and Discussion:
In 2024, Harris County was awarded grant funds in the amount of $515,000 by the Houston Endowment to implement a Language Access (LA) Team in the Research and Analysis division of the OCA. The initial grant period for this award was March 1, 2024, to April 30, 2026, for the purpose of identifying existing County language access services and resources, as well as gaps. As part of its grant activities, the LA Team conducted a needs assessment of the OCA’s services, programs, and language services provisions for residents. The LA Team utilized this research to complete its grant deliverables by developing strategies to address identified gaps, including recommending the use of innovative tools that improve access, enhance communication, and better serve limited English proficient (LEP) residents. On 12/11/25, the grant end date was extended to 7/31/26.
This request seeks Commissioners Court’s approval to extend the grant end date to September 30, 2026, at no additional cost, as approved by the grantor. The extension will provide additional time to exhaust the remaining funds of $1,058.14, which will be utilized by the LA Team to further support implementation strategies by purchasing valuable tools and resources for LEP residents.
Expected Impact:
The extension will provide the additional time needed to expend the remaining grant funds and complete the initiatives aimed at improving services for LEP residents.
Alternative Options:
Without approval for this no-cost extension, the grant will expire, and remaining grant funds will not be able to be used to support the LA Team’s final implementation strategies developed under the grant.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: M: Ensure that Harris County remains the best place in the region to start and grow a business, with a focus on equitable economic growth.
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): Choose an item.
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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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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6/11/2026 |
433 |
Request by the Office of County Administration for approval to transfer two (2) existing grant-funded Language Access positions to the general fund, effective July 25, 2026, at no additional cost |
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2/12/2026 |
3 |
Request for approval of a Language Access Template for the Harris County Office of County Administration. |
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12/11/2025 |
221 |
Request by the Office of County Administration for approval to accept an amendment to an agreement with the Houston Endowment to extend the grant end date and two associated positions to July 31, 2026, for the Harris County Language Access Program Grant. |
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4/23/2024 |
266 |
Request by the Office of County Administration for approval of two positions effective May 4, 2024, funded by a grant from the Houston Endowment, Inc., as project support for a needs assessment and development of a comprehensive language access plan. |
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2/27/24 |
472 |
Accepted an award from the Houston Endowment, Inc., for grant funds to develop a comprehensive countywide LEP plan. |
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10/10/2023 |
193 |
Approved submitting an application to the Houston Endowment, Inc., for grant funds in the amount of $515,000, with no required match. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/17/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erica Lee Carter, County Administrator; Dr. Natosha Willis, Program Compliance Manager, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable): Houston Endowment No Cost Extension (NCE) Confirmation