Legislation Details

File #: 26-0981    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Grant Status: Passed
File created: 1/29/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 2/12/2026 Final action: 2/12/2026
Title: Request by Public Health Services for approval to extend seven positions to December 31, 2026 in support of the American Rescue Plan Act Lead Screening Program.
Attachments: 1. 0212_PHS_CHW ARPA LEAD Position Extensions.pdf

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: Position

 

Project ID (if applicable): ARPA_LEAD

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

 

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): N/A

Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture

 

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):

title

Request by Public Health Services for approval to extend seven positions to December 31, 2026 in support of the American Rescue Plan Act Lead Screening Program.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

On February 8, 2022, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) was awarded $2.89 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support blood lead testing for at-risk populations, including pregnant women and children under the age of six. The goal of the HCPH Lead Screening Program is to deliver lead poisoning prevention services to vulnerable communities across Harris County. This is accomplished through partnerships with HCPH clinics, schools, and community organizations to provide mobile testing units, which bring services directly to neighborhoods - reducing transportation barriers and ensure more equitable access to care.

 

Expected Impact:

Extending the seven ARPA-funded positions will ensure the continuation of lead screening services in high-risk Harris County communities. This support will sustain screening capacity, facilitate early identification of lead exposure, and enable timely intervention to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children under the age of six and pregnant women.

 

Alternative Options:

There are no alternative options for this program.

 

County Strategic Plan Goal:  1. Make Harris County safer and more just.

County Strategic Plan Objective: P: Improve children’s health outcomes.

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): P2: Expand lead reduction program to reduce child exposure.

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):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

N/A

 

 

 

Location:

Address (if applicable): N/A

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

American Rescue Plan Act - Lead Screening Program

 

 

Current Fiscal Year Cost

Annual Fiscal Cost

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

Recurring Expenses

Funding Sources

 

Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

2651 - American Rescue Plan 2021

$532,953

$251,370

$784,323

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Total Existing Budget

$532,953

$251,370

$784,323

$

Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Request

$

$

$

$

Total Funding Sources

$532,953

$251,370

$784,323

$

Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only)

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

No. of Grant Years

Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item.

$

$

$

1

Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item.

$

$

$

 

Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total)

$

$

$

 

Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s)

 

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

-

-

Additional Positions Request

-

-

-

-

Total Personnel

-

-

-

-

 

County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only)

CAO Reviewer Name and Title

 

CAO Review Completion Date

Click or tap to enter a date.

 

Anticipated Court Date: 2/12/2026

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 2/21/2026

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: ARPA related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Dr. Ericka Brown, MD, FACHE, LHA, Division Director- Community Health & Wellness, Public Health Services

 

Attachments (if applicable): Court Order, RCA, Court Talking Points, 3441s