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: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Award
Project ID (if applicable): FY26_HTW
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): 5%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Public Health Services for approval to accept from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission grant funds in the amount of $3,082,910, with no required match, for the Healthy Texas Women Program.
end
Background and Discussion:
The Healthy Texas Women Program is a state initiative designed to provide free or low-cost women’s health and family planning services to eligible residents across Texas. It includes annual exams, screenings, contraception, and treatment for certain health conditions. In Harris County, the Commissioners Court has considered approval of this program as part of broader efforts to improve health outcomes and economic opportunities for women. The Harris County Women’s Commission, which advises the Court, has highlighted disparities in access to healthcare and economic equity, particularly among women of color and low-income populations. Their research and recommendations have emphasized the importance of expanding access to affordable healthcare, including maternal care and reproductive services, to address these gaps. The Commissioners Court’s discussion around the Healthy Texas Women Program centers on aligning county resources with state offerings, ensuring eligible women are aware of and can access services, and integrating this initiative into a larger framework of gender equity and public health improvement.
Expected Impact:
If the Harris County Commissioners Court approves participation in the Healthy Texas Women Program, the expected impact will be substantial across public health, equity, and community engagement. First, it would immediately expand access to preventive and reproductive health services for thousands of low-income women in Harris County. These services include annual exams, contraception, cancer screenings, and treatment for certain chronic conditions-many of which are currently out of reach for uninsured residents. By leveraging state funding, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) can deliver these services without placing additional strain on local budgets. Second, approval would strengthen HCPH’s ability to address maternal health disparities, particularly among Black and Latina women who face higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. It supports the county’s broader equity goals by targeting services to neighborhoods with the greatest need and integrating care with other social support systems. Third, it enhances the county’s public health infrastructure. With formal participation, HCPH can build stronger partnerships with community clinics, improve data collection and reporting, and coordinate outreach campaigns that are culturally and linguistically tailored. This helps build trust and increase uptake of services. Finally, the program’s approval signals a commitment from county leadership to prioritize women’s health and economic opportunity. Healthier women are more likely to participate in the workforce, pursue education, and support their families-creating ripple effects that benefit the entire community. In short, approval of the Healthy Texas Women Program would be a strategic move to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and reinforce Harris County’s role as a leader in equitable public health delivery.
Alternative Options:
In addition to the Healthy Texas Women Program, Harris County can consider several alternative strategies to expand access to women’s health services and address maternal health disparities. One option is the Family Planning Program (FPP), which offers reproductive health services to both women and men at little or no cost. This program complements HTW but operates with different eligibility criteria and provider networks, potentially reaching underserved populations who may not qualify for HTW. Another alternative is the Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS) program, which provides free screening and diagnostic services for eligible women, helping to detect and treat cancer early1. Locally, Healthy Women Houston presents a community-based model that integrates medical, behavioral, and social support services for pregnant and postpartum women. This collaborative effort-led by organizations such as Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, HOPE Clinic, and Memorial Hermann-focuses on high-risk populations in neighborhoods like Third Ward and Sunnyside. It offers same-day appointments, sliding fee discounts, and connections to housing, transportation, and job readiness programs, making it a holistic alternative to state-run programs. These strategies can be layered or combined to create a more inclusive and responsive healthcare ecosystem in Harris County, especially for women facing economic, racial, or geographic barriers to care.
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):
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):
Economy Initiative (Goal 3):
Health Initiative (Goal 4): O1: Coordinate health organizations to improve access and care.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5):
Housing Initiative (Goal 6):
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
12/10/2024 |
275 |
Grant contract renewal and positions extension approved |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Clinical Health Services |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only) |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: |
$ |
$ |
$ |
5 |
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$534,870 |
$81,712.00 |
$616,582 |
|
|
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: Ericka Brown, MD, MBA, FACHE - Community Health & Wellness Division Director, Public Health Services
Attachments (if applicable): Court Order, Signature Page, Grant Agreement