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 - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): FY25_EHSNET
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Department of Health and Human Services
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Funding Source
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Original award did not have indirect costs.
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Public Health Services for approval to accept from the Department of Health and Human Services grant funds in the amount of $176,000, with no required match, and extend the grant end date and two positions to September 29, 2026 for the Environmental Health Specialists Network grant.
end
Background and Discussion:
Since 2015, Harris County has been one of only eight jurisdictions nationwide funded through Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Environmental Health Specialists Network (EHS-Net), advancing food safety research alongside FDA, USDA, and other states. The current 2020-25 cycle delivered community reporting tools, updated complaint investigation protocols, and Active Managerial Control workshops for restaurants. With CDC approval, accepting funds in the amount of $176,000 in FY2026 allows Harris County to finish remaining priorities: retaining two research staff, piloting a standardized environmental and food sampling procedure during FBI/FBO investigations, and expanding bilingual food safety resources. This extension protects the County’s investment in national food safety leadership and embodies Harris County Public Health’s mission to prevent disease and promote health for all residents at no additional County cost.
Expected Impact:
This extension award of $176,000 in CDC-approved funds benefits into FY26 to complete work already delivering results for Harris County, and, at a time when national public health grants are being reduced or eliminated. It retains two dependable research staff whose work sustains food safety studies, analyzes local data, expands bilingual food safety resources for operators, workers, and residents, and covers limited travel, supplies, and laboratory costs. Piloting environmental sampling in establishments linked to foodborne illness complaints will strengthen outbreak investigation response efforts. These efforts provide tools that lower risk and improve prevention locally, while contributing tested strategies to the national EHS-Net network and ensuring evidence-based protection for Harris County residents continues without interruption.
Alternative Options:
Without this extension, the two federally funded positions ended on September 29, 2025, halting work that embodies our mission, vision, and values. The County would forfeit not only $176,000 in approved federal support but also an opportunity to fulfill our pledge of leadership, accountability, and service to residents
County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N: Improve the health behaviors of community members.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):
Economy Initiative (Goal 3):
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N1: Improve coordination of public health efforts and campaign delivery among local health agencies and nonprofits.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6):
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: This extension helps restaurant operators adopt practices that reduce risk, avoid costly violations, and sustain consumer confidence, supporting small businesses while protecting public health. It also advances equitable access to food safety information through expanded bilingual tools and resources.
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
10/08/2024 |
220 |
Court approved an amendment for a year 5 award |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Environmental Health Specialists Network (EHS-Net) Grant |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
$ |
$ |
$0 |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Existing Budget |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$ |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only) |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: |
$ |
$ |
$ |
1 |
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$160,317 |
$15,683 |
$176,000 |
|
|
Personnel(Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: October 16, 2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): October 16, 2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Scott Jeansonne, Environmental Public Health Director, Public Health Services
Attachments (if applicable): NOA, Court Order, (2) 3441 forms