Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the Sentara Healthier Communities Program Grant awarded by Sentara Healthcare/Optima Health/Virginia Premier
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Sentara Healthier Communities Program Fund was created by Sentara Healthcare/Optima Health/Virginia Premier ("Sentara") to improve the health of communities in their service area and make a dramatic difference in the lives of their patients and neighbors. Grants will be awarded amongst three areas of focus: 1. University Grants; 2. Collaborative Grants; and 3. Community Grants and will enhance the capabilities for Sentara's partner universities and collaboration between the universities, health systems and community partners to improve public health. Funds will be allocated to community organizations and other partners in the Hampton Roads region to address public health and health inequities.
The following goals are intended to guide the grant recipients in the prioritized use of these funds for the improvement of public health and health inequities in under served communities:
- Create and enhance capabilities of partner universities to directly impact and improve public health and health equity in under served communities;
- Promote and enhance the collaboration between Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University and Eastern Virginia Medical School;
- Support community organizations to improve public health and health inequities;
- Support efforts to establish a School of Public Health, critical to ensuring vitality of public health in the region; and
- Promote long-term sustainability of public health and health equity activities and funding required to assure continuity of programs.
Discussion:
The Hampton Health Equity Initiative (the "Initiative") commenced on July 1, 2021. The intended outcome of the Initiative is to increase the City of Hampton's (the "City's") vaccination numbers in minority communities; provide crisis intervention and preventative emergency management; access mental health awareness and healthier food options; and gain input from a social disparities study through services funded through the grant.
Impact:
Sentara has awarded the City grant funding in the amount of $65,000, with no local match required, to support the Hampton Health Equity Initiative (the "Initiative") in accomplishing the following objectives:
1. Identify obstacles and barriers that hinder the reduction of infectious rates.
2. Provide health and safety education through onsite community resource days and activities.
3. Provide resources and tools for proper sanitation, ventilation and emergency management.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, Sentara Healthcare/Optima Health/Virginia Premier has awarded the City of Hampton, Virginia (the “City”) a Sentara Healthier Communities Program Grant in the amount of $65,000.00;
WHEREAS, the Sentara Healthier Communities Program Grant award requires no local match;
WHEREAS, the Sentara Healthier Communities Program Grant award total $65,000 and will be used by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (formerly the Citizens’ Unity Commission) to expand the efforts of Hampton's Health Equity Initiative to (1) identify obstacles and barriers that hinder the reduction of infectious rates; (2) provide health and safety education through onsite community resource days and activities; and (3) provide resources and tools for proper sanitation, ventilation and emergency management; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period of October 14, 2021 through January 15, 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to accept and appropriate the Sentara Healthier Communities Program Grant in the amount of $65,000, and any supplemental funding, awarded by Sentara Healthcare/Optima Health/Virginia Premier to the Grant Fund to be used by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (formerly the Citizens’ Unity Commission) for the purpose of expanding the efforts of the Hampton Health Equity Initiative to (1) identify obstacles and barriers that hinder the reduction of infectious rates; (2) provide health and safety education through onsite community resource days and activities; and (3) provide resources and tools for proper sanitation, ventilation and emergency management in accordance with the grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take any and all actions necessary to implement this grant award.