Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $1,144,121.00 in grant monies to fund the Healthy Start grant program for the period of April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024.
The Healthy Start grant program enables Columbus Public Health to conduct an evidence based home visiting program in Franklin County, focusing primarily on African American women residing within the City of Columbus zip codes. Healthy Start is funded to serve 700 clients, of which 300 are pregnant women, 300 are infants/children up to the age of 18 months, preconception women, interconnection women (combined) and 100 fathers/male partners affiliated with Healthy Start women/infants/children. Clients receive education on pregnancy, women's health, infant health, infant growth, development, safety, nutrition, immunizations, breastfeeding and safe sleep.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to not delay services to clients and their families and to allow the financial transactions to be posted in the City’s accounting system as soon as possible given the grant start date of April 1, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Healthy Start Grant Program is entirely funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program does not generate any revenue or require a City match.
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Healthy Start Grant Program in the amount of $1,144,121.00; to authorize the appropriation of $1,144,121.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,144,121.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $1,144,121.00 in grant funds have been made available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Healthy Start Grant Program for the period of April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the continued support of the Healthy Start Grant program; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance is submitted as an emergency to not delay services to clients and their families and to allow the financial transactions to be posted in the City’s accounting system as soon as possible given the grant start date of April 1, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the support of Healthy Start grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Healthy Start grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to accept these grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and to appropriate these funds to the Health Department for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare and to not delay services to clients and their families; 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 accept a grant award totaling $1,144,121.00 and any additional grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Healthy Start Grant Program for the period of April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department's Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $1,144,121.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001, according to the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except upon voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Healthy Start grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.
SECTION 7. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, 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.