Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) has been awarded grant funds from the Reproductive Health National Training Center (RHNTC) originating from the Office of Population Affairs Title X Family Planning Program. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $25,000.00 in grant monies to fund the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program for the period of March 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024.
The RHNTC Mini-grants program support implementation of evidence-based approaches to improve maternal health outcomes. Priority was given to strategies to reduce racial disparities in maternal health outcomes for Title X or TPP-funded agencies. This grant will support the CPH Women’s Health and Sexual Health and Wellness Centers to pilot a project to increase syphilis screening and early pregnancy detection among individuals with reproductive potential in areas experiencing a surge in congenital syphilis; to increase access to contraception and other Title X health services; and to partner with community agencies to build trust and provide linkage to residents with SUD that may also be homeless and survivors of human trafficking.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to avoid forfeiture of the grant; to meet the deliverables of the grant; and to increase capacity to improve maternal and child health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases affecting public health and safety;
FISCAL IMPACT: The RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program is funded by the Reproductive Health National Training Center and does not generate revenue or require a City Match.
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept a grant funds from the Reproductive Health National Training Center for the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program in the amount of $25,000.00; to authorize the appropriation of $25,000.00 to the Health Department from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $25,000.00 in grant award funding has been made available from the Reproductive Health National Training Center for the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program in the amount of $25,000.00 for the period of March 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Reproductive Health National Training Center for support of the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Reproductive Health National Training Center for support of the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention 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 authorize the Board of Health to accept these grant funds from the Reproductive Health National Training Center and to appropriate these funds to the Health Department to avoid forfeiture of the grant, to meet the deliverables of the grant, and to increase capacity to improve maternal and child health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases affecting public health and safety, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and 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 grant funds totaling $25,000.00 from the Reproductive Health National Training Center for the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program for the period of March 1, 2024 through September 30, 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 $25,000.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001, upon receipt of an executed grant agreement.
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. 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 the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional grant awards from the Reproductive Health National Training Center for support of the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program for the
period March 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the RHNTC Mini-Grant: Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.
SECTION 7. That 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 8. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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.