City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 21, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: DR. DAVID C. ROSE, DIRECTOR, ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials to Address Increased Early Syphilis in Alexandria.
BODY
_____________________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to support community engagement in the formulation of local public health responses to increased early syphilis in the City.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Retroactively approve the submission of a grant application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials for $150,000; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: NACCHO is offering a funding opportunity to local health departments to engage the community to develop or tailor a plan to decrease syphilis. Through this opportunity, NACCHO will fund up to eight health departments to examine their local syphilis burden and implement a community engagement process that leads to the development of a plan to reduce syphilis burden in their jurisdiction. Applications are being accepted and evaluated through March 3, 2023. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for a 12-month project period. Successful local health departments will be awarded between $75,000 and $150,000 per entity. This will be the first time that the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) has applied for this funding opportunity.
DISCUSSION: From 2019 through 2021, early syphilis rate in Alexandria were the highest among all Northern Virginia jurisdictions, with rates among the city’s male and its Black and Hispanic populations leading the region. If funded, the Alexandria Health Department will build upon its strong outreach efforts and collaborations with organizations working with Alexandrians most impacted by early syphilis: Black and Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM), ages 25 to 34 years. AHD will partner with Safe Space NOVA, NOVASalud, Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS and other community-based organizations to organize a community advisory group, develop surveys and focus groups, organize and review data, and develop a tailored, community-informed plan that addresses the issues identified during the community engagement process. AHD will then undertake implementation planning; NACCHO may consider additional support for implementation should funds become available.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant, if awarded, will provide up to $150,000 to support community engagement and disease reduction planning. There is no required match from the City.
STAFF:
Kendel Taylor, Interim Deputy City Manager
Debby Dimon, Public Health Nurse Supervisor
Victor Claros Batres, Disease Intervention Specialist
Lina Zimmerman, Population Health Epidemiologist
Sean Kolaskar, Public Health Informatics Specialist
Felicia Bendolph-Simmons, Nurse Manager
Eve Elliott, Communications Officer
Antonio Cuadros, Fiscal Officer