Legislation Details

File #: 26-5106    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Grant Status: Passed
File created: 7/23/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 8/6/2026 Final action: 8/6/2026
Title: Request by Public Health Services for approval to accept from the Department of Health and Human Services grant funds in the amount of $732,380.00, with no required match, for the FY26 Healthy Start Initiative Grant.
Attachments: 1. FY26 Healthy Start_Approved Backup.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: Grant - Award

 

Project ID (if applicable): FY26_HSI

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Department of Health and Human Services

 

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): 4%

Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Rate is not 0% and is listed above.

 

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 $732,380.00, with no required match, for the FY26 Healthy Start Initiative Grant.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

The proposed use of renewal funds will directly support the Healthy Start Initiative work with families by reinforcing participant support systems. This includes helping participants access behavioral health care, attend prenatal and well-child visits, and connect with housing, nutrition, and other social services. These linkages are essential to addressing the root causes of health disparities and improving health outcomes among vulnerable populations.

 

Expected Impact:

Public Health Services will continue to support a comprehensive and person-centered strategy for delivering quality care and support to families to reduce infant mortality rates and improve perinatal health outcomes. The renewal funds will allow our program to sustain and expand critical activities that directly impact maternal and child health outcomes in Harris County.

 

Alternative Options:

Approval of this request will ensure that resources are leveraged effectively to maintain service continuity and meet the Healthy Start Initiative program’s objectives without interruption and continue to improve maternal and child health outcomes. 

 

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):  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):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

10/20/2025

123

Approval for carryover funds.

 

Location:

Address (if applicable): N/A

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

Community Health and Wellness

 

 

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 Existing Budget

$

$

$

$

Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

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$

$

$

$

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Total Additional Budget Request

$

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Total Funding Sources

$

$

$

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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)

$711,638

$20,742

$732,380

 

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

 

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

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-

Additional Positions Request

-

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Total Personnel

-

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-

-

 

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: 8/6/2026

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 8/6/2026

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item

 

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

 

Attachments (if applicable): Court Order, Notice of Award, Budget Template