Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) has a need to contract with Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO) for services that will expand their community capacity resources for the period of August 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.
This contract will increase the reach and services offered under BCCO’s current programs to address resource inequities and subsequent health disparities that have been exacerbated by COVID-19. This contract will enhance organizational capacity by mobilizing a partner that specializes in serving women, and mentally and physically disabled individuals affected by refugee resettlement in underserved Columbus neighborhoods. BCCO will provide mental health care, workforce training, English as a second language classes and linkage to care and connections to resources supporting basic needs such as medical care, housing and social services. Their work will also gather community input to inform strategies to better reach this population and improve health and social service competency and relevance, particularly for individuals facing language and cultural barriers.
Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio is a non-profit and sole provider of these services in our community. They are a current City vendor and EBO certified (CC-019703). The services provided by them cannot be provided by existing City employees.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to avoid a break in the delivery of these needed services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Expenditures to provide these services are budgeted in the Health Departments Grant Fund; CDC Health Disparities Grant Program, which is entirely funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a not-for-profit services contract with Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio for services to increase community capacity resources within the Bhutanese refugee population; to authorize a total expenditure of $80,475.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($80,475.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated the Columbus Health Department as a grantee agency and fund administrator for the CDC Health Disparities Grant program; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Health has a need to contract for services to increase community capacity resources for our Bhutanese refugee population; and
WHEREAS, Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio, a non-profit, was identified and chosen by our CDC Health Disparities Grant program team to perform these services; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Health desires to enter into a contract with Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio to provide needed services to the clients served at or by Columbus Public Health; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual, daily operations of the Department of Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract for expansion of community capacity resources with Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, 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 to enter into a not-for-profit services contract, pursuant to City Code Chapter 329, for $80,475.00 with Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio for community capacity services for the period August 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $80,475.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Departments Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, Department of Health, Division No. 5001, in object class 03 - Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City's financial records.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part thereof, this ordinance is hereby 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.