...Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into (2) initial contracts with qualified vendors, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equitas Health, allowable under the 2026-2027 Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epidemic in Ohio grant program (ODH EHE), from pass through agency, The Ohio Department of Health, contingent on underlying Ordinance 1479-2026. All contract terms included in this ordinance are from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027.
The vendors included in this ordinance are not for profit agencies and are exempt from bidding according to bidding requirements of the City Code 329.30. The EHE services incorporated in the contracts include, but not limited to emergency financial assistance, resource navigation, and Counseling, Testing & Referral services. Contract price points are based on agency staffing projections and individual client counts for services based on enrolled clients in the program, and other estimated direct costs ancillary to EHE program initiatives.
Under the terms of the grant, this grant period is a twelve-month grant cycle, and funds must be used during the grant period or they are forfeited. Previously, CPH has reallocated unused funds from vendors through appropriate contract modifications. These modifications oftentimes required additional legislation. The listed vendors operate based on program staffing, varying client counts, and thus often leaving unspent funds. The Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epidemic in Ohio grant program is an ancillary grant with five specific pillars: Diagnose, Treat, Prevent, Outbreak Response, and Community Engagement, to the Ending the HIV Epidemic grant program federally funded with HRSA. These pillars, specifically the prevention pillar can supplement HIV services for individuals within the priority population and allow needed services to be ...
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