Legislation Details

File #: 24-6522    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Grant Status: Passed
File created: 10/10/2024 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 10/29/2024 Final action: 10/29/2024
Title: Request by the Institute of Forensic Sciences for approval to accept from the USDOJ/Bureau of Justice Assistance grant funds in the amount of $1,171,131, with no required match, for the FY 2024 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program.

Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences

Department Head/Elected Official: Luis A. Sanchez, M.D., Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Grant

 

Project ID (if applicable): 15PBJA-24-GG-02732-DNAX

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A

 

MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A

MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A

Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal:  N/A - Goal not applicable to request

 

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):

title

Request by the Institute of Forensic Sciences for approval to accept from the USDOJ/Bureau of Justice Assistance grant funds in the amount of $1,171,131, with no required match, for the FY 2024 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

 

The goal of this project is to provide assistance for minimizing backlogs by either implementation of new systems or directly impacting existing systems through overtime, training, and purchase of supplies, software and equipment.

 

Expected Impact:

 

The capacity exists to handle current throughput; however, persistent backlogs are present and can be eliminated with this program.  This program is in alignment with HCIFS’s goal to continue backlog reduction initiatives while maintaining industry-accepted professional practices and complying with applicable statutory, regulatory, safety and accreditation requirements.  Note:  DOJ defines “backlog” as all cases in the laboratory.  In monthly reports to Commissioners, HCIFS separately reports cases in progress and un-started cases; we term un-started cases “backlog.”  In other words, the case backlog is the sum of un-started cases and cases-in-progress.

 

 

Alternative Options:

 

There are few, if any, alternative options for this type of program.

Alignment with Goal(s):

X Justice and Safety

_ Economic Opportunity

_ Housing

_ Public Health

_ Transportation

_ Flooding

_ Environment

_ Governance and Customer Service

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

May 7, 2024

24-2688

Grant Application

Location:

Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX  77054

Precinct(s): Countywide

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

FY2024 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program

 

Current Fiscal Year Cost

Annual Fiscal Cost

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

Recurring Expenses

Funding Sources

 

Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

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$

$

$

$

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$

$

$

$

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$

$

$

$

Total Current Budget

$

$

$

$

Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

Grant

$153,469

$432,097

$585,566

$585,565

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Request

$153,469

$432,097

$585,566

$585,565

Total Funding Request

$153,469

$432,097

$585,566

$585,565

Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs)

 

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

-

-

Additional Positions Request

-

-

-

-

Total Personnel

-

-

-

-

 

Anticipated Court Date: 10/29/2024

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): October 1, 2024

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item

Contact(s) name, title, department: Wendi Welch, Budget Manager, Institute of Forensic Sciences

Attachments (if applicable):