Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to accept and appropriate $5,000 in additional grant funds from United Way for Greater Austin, Texas Family Connects Program. Funding: A City funding match is not required.
De
Lead Department
Austin Public Health.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $5,000 is available from the United Way for Greater Austin, Texas Family Connects Program. A City funding match is not required. A fiscal note is attached.
Prior Council Action:
May 30, 2024 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20240530-096 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20230816-008) to accept and appropriate $300,000 in additional grant funds from United Way for Greater Austin for the Texas Family Connects Program on an 11-0 vote.
March 7, 2024 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20240307-014 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20230816-008) to accept and appropriate $300,000 in additional grant funds from United Way for Greater Austin for the Texas Family Connects Program on an 11-0 vote.
May 20, 2021 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20210520-15 amending the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20200812-001) to add 1.0 full-time equivalent grant-funded position for the United Way for Greater Austin, Texas Family Connects Program on an 11-0 vote.
March 22, 2018 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20180322-022 amending the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Austin Public Health Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund to accept and appropriate $664,000 for implementation of the Texas Family Connects Program on a 10-0 vote.
For More Information:
Adrienne Sturrup, Director, 512-972-5010; Donna Sundstrom, Assistant Director, 512-972-5038; Alan Washington, Public Health Manager, 512-972-5028; Juanita Jackson, Business Process Consultant 512-972-6163.
Additional Backup Information:
The United Way for Greater Austin serves as the administrative and fiscal agent for federal Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting funds allocated to Travis County through the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. The funds are intended to support coalition building and systems-level change benefiting early childhood development and direct home visiting services of federally approved models in Travis County. The United Way for Greater Austin subcontracts with Austin Public Health to implement the Texas Family Connects Program (Family Connects).
Family Connects is a voluntary, short-term nurse home visiting program offered to every family with newborn infants to maximize population reach and community acceptance. The program goals are:
1. To connect with mothers or primary caregivers to support parenting skills and self-efficacy.
2. To assess each family’s unique strengths and needs.
3. To connect the family with needed community services, such as health care, childcare, and financial and social support to promote family functioning and child well-being.
More than 16,000 babies were born in Travis County last year. Research suggests that 95 percent of families have health needs within the first few weeks of being home. For many families, a single visit from a health professional can provide support and access to resources that lead to significant positive outcomes. Families that could benefit from more intensive or long-term support are referred to other appropriate programs.
The General Fund will not be required to contribute additional funds beyond those currently budgeted to this grant or the funding of these positions. When the grant funds expire, Austin Public Health’s need for these positions will be evaluated and the positions may be eliminated.