Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Human Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All
Acceptance of a Grant from the Georgia Department of Public Health in the amount of $214,459 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds for Emergency Supplies to support the DeKalb Maternal Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program during the Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic- At No Cost to the County
Body
Information Contact: Damon Scott, Director, DeKalb Human Services Department
Phone Number: (404) 687-2385
PURPOSE:
To consider accepting a grant award in the amount of $214,459 from the Georgia Department of Public Health
to provide emergency (personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer, gloves, thermometers, diapers,
wipes, food, water, and feminine products) and technology support for the DeKalb Maternal Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program and to appropriate the funds to the grant fund.
NEED/IMPACT:
Georgia families have been overwhelmed by the pandemic and are still dealing with the effects and need support and assistance with access to emergency supplies and technology, like so many places throughout the world. The Georgia Department of Public Health received funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to distribute to local counties to help families in need. DeKalb County has been awarded funds to provide families with needed emergency supplies (personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer, gloves, thermometers, diapers, wipes, food, water, and feminine products) and technology. This is the second year that the Human Services Department has received this award. The grant will allow the DeKalb MIECHV program to safely expand outreach efforts to families. Visits will be conducted using a hybrid approach- with virtual and in person sessions. This funding, if approved, will allow DeKalb County to support MIECHV families that have a need for emergency items (personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer, gloves, thermometers, diapers, wipes, food, water, and feminine products).
DeKalb will coordinate with Helping Mamas, an organization listed with the National Diaper Bank Network, to help families address the need to obtain diapers for their children. Funding will also allow families to use technology during scheduled home visiting sessions and monthly group health education sessions to communicate with their home visitors and with other families across the state. These funds will also allow for expansion of the New American Pathways programs that are designed to assist refugees as they assimilate to life in a new country. The Human Services Department will have until September 30, 2023, to utilize these funds and it is estimated that one hundred five (105) families will be served.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund- as this grant comes from the Georgia Department of Public
Health and does not require a match
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Authorize the acceptance of the American Rescue Plan Act funds from the Georgia Department of Public Health in the amount of $214,459 for emergency supplies and support to the DeKalb MIECHV Program, Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to Execute All Necessary Documents