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A resolution approving amendments one, two, and three to the Healthy Start Initiative Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Board of Health, to provide a variety of services in reducing infant mortality for pregnant and parenting women.
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WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Board of Health, previously entered into a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to provide a variety of services in reducing infant mortality for pregnant and parenting women approved by RS2025-1268; and,
WHEREAS, amendment one to the grant agreement increases the amount of the grant by $290,476 from $497,200 to $787,676 and updates various terms and conditions; and,
WHEREAS, amendment two to the grant agreement increases the amount of the grant by $312,324 from $787,676 to $1,100,000 and updates various terms and conditions; and,
WHEREAS, amendment three to the grant agreement approves a departmental rebudgeting request (PA-0014126) reallocating $67,311 from personnel and fringe benefits and $16,000 from Doula services in order to reflect current program operations and updates the funding allocation as submitted in the revised budget; and
WHEREAS, it is to the benefit of the citizens of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that amendments one, two, and three to the grant be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That amendments one, two, and three to the Healthy Start Initiative Grant by and between the U.S. Department of Health Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Board of Health, to provide a variety of services in reducing infant mortality for pregnant and parenting women, a copy of which amendments one, two, and three are attached hereto and incorporated herein, are hereby approved, and the Metropolitan Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the same
Section 2. That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution approves amendments one, two, and three to the Healthy Start Initiative Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to the Metropolitan Board of Health. This grant is used to provide a variety of services in reducing infant mortality for pregnant and parenting women and was accepted pursuant to Resolution No. RS2025-1268.
The first amendment increases the grant by $290,476 to a total grant award of $787,676 and updates terms and conditions. The second amendment increases the grant amount by $313,324 to a total grant award of $1,100,000 and updates terms and conditions. The third amendment re-budgets the project to better align with current program operations. The updated terms and conditions reflect a change in applicable regulations governing grant contracts with the Department of Health and Human Services. The applicable regulations for grant termination and audit and cost principles have been updated.
Additional language in the updated terms and conditions purports to require compliance with a federal executive order titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” HHS has been enjoined from enforcing this provision against the Metropolitan Government through King County v. Turner, a federal court case which is now extended to the Metropolitan Government.
HHS cannot impose, enforce, or require compliance with these conditions. In a letter sent by the Department of Law, “the Metropolitan Government withholds consent and objects to the inclusion of any terms or conditions pursuant to the Preliminary Injunction.” Further, the Department of Law stated that acceptance of these funds, submission of invoices, or draw down of these funds “in no way reflect acceptance of [these] conditions.”
The updated budget decreases spending on doula services by $16,000 as participants have access to doula care from outside sources and decreases personnel and fringe benefits spending by $67,311 due to the elimination of a care coordinator position. The budget reallocates the funds from these decreases to spending on supplies, software, training and other uses.