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Home My WebLink AboutPR 15180: APPLICATION FOR A PORT ARTHUR COMMUNITIES FUND GRANTMemorandum City of Port Arthur, Texas Health Department TO: Stephen Fitzgibbons, City Manager FROM: Yoshi D. Alexander, MBA-HCM, Health Director DATE: March 30, 2009 SUBJECT: Proposed Resolution No. 15180 Authorization to apply for a Port Arthur Communities Fund grant RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council approve Proposed Resolution No. 15180 authorizing the City of Port Arthur to submit an application for a Port Arthur Communities Fund grant in the amount of $71,740 to increase the Health Department's STD program's awazeness, education and outreach services. BACKGROUND: The Health Department proposes to expand its capacity to provide health education and awazeness for the STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) program through partnerships that will allow innovative and strategic ways of mobilizing the community and youth in addressing the effects of STDs. Over the past yeaz since we last applied for PACF funds, there has been an alarnung percentage increase of STDs among persons between the ages of 14-39. Overall rates in Jefferson County have more than doubled. In Port Arthur alone, the total number of syphilis cases increased from 13 in 2007 to 60 cases in 2008 which is critical. The health department operates a STD clinic, but services are limited only to diagnosis and treatment. Two key missing components in this program aze contact investigation and outreach/education to both the community and private providers. The health department proposes to use grant funds to launch an intensive diagnosis, investigation, education and treatment campaign against the spread of STDs with a major emphasis in the target area. STAFFING/EMPLOYEE EFFECT: Funds will support a RN at 25% FTE and a Disease Intervention Specialist for outreach activities at 50% FTE. BUDGETARY EFFECT: Funds will be used for personnel to increase activities to diagnose, treat and refer clients; employee training and education; a 4-hour workshop for local providers, billboard advertising, medical supplies and incentives for outreach activities. Other sources of funds will come from the City of Port Arthur health department's budget. PR No. 15180 Page 2 SUMMARY: It is recommended that the City Council approve Proposed Resolution No. 15180 authorizing the City of Port Arthur to submit an application for a Port Arthur Communities Fund grant in the amount of $71,740 to increase the Health Department's STD program's awazeness, education, and outreach services. P. R NO. 15180 3/30/09-yda RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A PORT ARTHUR COMMUNITIES FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,740 FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S STD PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Port Arthur Communities Fund was formed as a result of a multi-million dollaz gift to the Port Arthur community to improve economic and social condition, foster new commercial development, and facilitate the establishment of community programs that provide recreational, social, and economic opportunities; and, WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur Health Department requests authorization to apply for grant funds for its STD program to increase outreach education, awazeness, diagnosing and treatment activities in the amount of $71,740. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR: Section i. That, the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct; Section 2. That, the City Council of the City of Port Arthur hereby authorizes the Health Departrnent to apply for the Port Arthur Communities Fund Grant in the amount of $71,740 to increase STD program services as indicated by the letter of intent attached as Exhibit "A." Section 3. That, a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. P.R. No. 15180 Page 2 READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED, this day of Apri12009 A.D., at a Regulaz Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following Vote: AYES: Mayor: Council members: NOES: ATTEST: Terri Hanks, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mayor ~~~ Mazk Sokolow,p~ity Attorney ~ eivt ~J-~~ ~' APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: Stephen Fitzgibbons, City Manager oshi D. Alexander, MBA-HCM irector of Health Services EXHIBIT "A" DELORIS'BOfjB1E° PRPICE, MAYOR JACK CHAlTM1N, JR, MAYOR PRO-TEM COUNCIL MEMBERS; LP SEGLER T110MAS J. HENDERSON JOHN BEARD MARTIN FLOOD ROBERT BOB" WILLIAMSON D. K WISE STEPHEN FITZGI6f30NS CITY MANAGER (i YOSID D ~C~.X;Ai'+tDBg, MBA-I1CM DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES JUDITH SJvIITH, BSId, RId ASST. DIRECTrR OF HEALTH SERVICES HEALTH DEPARTMENT Mazch 30, 2009 Chazlene Slack Balderas c/o Port Arthur Communities Fund 4550 Post Oak Place, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77027 RE: Letter of Intent -Port Arthur Communities Fund Deaz Ms. Balderas: The City of Port Arthur wishes to apply for the Port Arthur Communities fund grant in the amount of $71,740 for its public health services department. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND The City of Port Arthur is a full service ethnically and socio-economically diverse community located in Jefferson County, Southeast Texas. Citizens are provided with an array of services including, but not limited to social services, utility, police and fire, transportation, solid waste/sanitation, recreation, inspections/environmental; and health services. Although the City is a tax funded entity, the majority of the services provided aze at minimal or no cost to the end user, for the City's overall primary mission is to serve the citizens of Port Arthur. The health department provides a vital part of the City's services to include preventable childhood immunizations, tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment, WIC (Women, Infants and Children) services; birth and death records, public health nursing, public health/bioterrorism prepazedness, tobacco prevention and education, nurse home visiting, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis and treatment, diabetes education, and environmental and consumer health services. This department also secured a social services block grant for Hurricane Rita recovery and has expanded its current facility in an effort to increase its health and social services. PROJECT PROPOSAL The City of Port Arthur proposes to expand its capacity to provide health education and awazeness for the STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) program through partnerships that will allow innovative and strategic ways of mobilizing the community and youth in addressin¢ the effects of STDs. Page 2 Over the past yeaz since we last applied for PACF funds, there has been an alarming percentage increase of STDs among persons between the ages of 14-39. Overall rates in Jefferson County have more than doubled. In Port Arthur alone, the total number of sypMlis cases increased from 13 in 2007 to 60 cases in 2008 which is critical. The health department operates a STD clinic, but services are limited only to diagnosis and treatment. Two key missing components in this program aze contact investigation and outreach/education to both the community and private providers. The health department proposes to use grant funds to launch an intensive diagnosis, investigation, education and treatment campaign against the spread of STDs with a major emphasis in the tazget azea. This campaign will involve the following acfivities: - EXPANDING screening and treatment for STDs among high-risk persons - EDUCATING and inform the community and private providers of increases in STDs - ENHANCING surveillance efforts through rapid reporting - ENCOURAGING providers to treat symptomatic clients - ENSURING that contact investigations are initiated and completed The tazget population will include high risk persons from age 14 and up. Services will be primarily provided at the health department located in the downtown azea of Port Arthur. Outreach and education will include those azeas on the West Side, including the three (3) housing complexes, and the local Port Arthur ISD schools. THE EVALUATION PROCESS To evaluate the success of the program, the health department will collect and analyze demographic and clinical data to determine the percentage changes for STDs in our area. This information will be reported to the Department of State Health Services and to the PACF. USE OF FUNDS Funds will be used for personnel to increase activities to diagnose, treat and refer clients; employee training and education: a 4-hour workshop for local providers, billboazd advertising, medical supplies and incentives for outreach activities. Other sources of funds will come from the City of Port Arthur health departrnent's budget. We believe that these enhanced services are vital to our maintaining and sustaining a healthy community. Your consideration in allowing us to apply for funds to launch this project will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Yoshi D. Alexander, MBA, Health Director at (409) 983-8832 or by email at yoslaufr;)mor ar~tlanm~t. Sincerely, Stephen Fitzgibbons, City Manager