Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize a contract with Equitas Health to continue a partnership to support the community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program called Safe Point, in an amount not to exceed $350,000.00 for a period of January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022.
Harm reduction services provided by Equitas Health allow clients who are at high-risk of accidental overdose death to access the lifesaving drug, Naloxone, and receive risk reduction counseling, referrals to Alcohol & Drug treatment, and overdose prevention education. In 2020, Safe Point provided services to 4,149 individual clients and had a total of 10,695 visits. Clients who participate in the Safe Point program are provided access to many types of care that address both their active substance use disorder, as well as other social determinants of health. Throughout 2020, Safe Point has provided 487 referrals for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, 217 linkages to medical care, provided overdose prevention education to 5,080 clients, and 195 referrals for behavioral or mental healthcare services.
Emergency action is requested for this contract modification in order to ensure Columbus has a harm reduction program to continue to save lives.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funds ($350,000.00) for this contract with Equitas Health are budgeted within the Health Department Special Revenue Fund.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Equitas Health to continue to provide a harm reduction program, called Safe Point, from January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022; to authorize the expenditure of $350,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Board of Health has a need to continue to provide support and expand a community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program, Safe Point; and
WHEREAS, Equitas Health has the necessary experience and expertise to provide said services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to contract with Equitas Health to allow services to proceed without delay and for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with Equitas Health to continue to provide support and expand a community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program, Safe Point, in an amount not to exceed $350,000.
SECTION 2. That to pay the costs of said contract, the expenditure of $350,000 is hereby authorized from the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250, Department of Health, Division No. 5001, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. This contract is being awarded in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code dealing with awarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.