Submitted by: Patrick A. Paschall
Submitting Department: Finance
Agenda Section: Consent
Item Title:
title
Purchase of Covid-19 Test Kits for Public Distribution
end
Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the Mayor and Council allocate and authorize the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $125,000 for the purchase of COVID-19 test kits directly for public distribution, using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
end
Summary Background:
The Hyattsville Household Emergency Relief Program began accepting applications on October 31, 2022. The program is administered by the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (Hyattsville CDC) after a public Notice of Funding Availability and contract award approved by Council.
Hyattsville CDC plans to send application assistance outreach workers to every residential address in Hyattsville to inform residents about the Household Emergency Relief program and invite them to apply. To enhance these outreach efforts and earn trust among community members, staff and Hyattsville CDC intend to also distribute COVID-19 test kits to every residence within the City during the outreach efforts.
This will achieve multiple goals. First, as a public health matter, ensuring everyone in the City has access to COVID-19 test kits will help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus by helping to more quickly identify when a family member contracts the virus. Second, providing a free COVID test kit, along with information about the Household Emergency Relief Program, will help residents view the information they receive as coming from a trusted source.
If a resident is not home, a bag branded with the City of Hyattsville's logo, along with the test kit and a flyer promoting the program, will be left at their door.
These test kits will be purchased using American Rescue Plan Act funds and distribution will be managed by the American Rescue Plan Program Manager in consultation with Hyattsville CDC and City departments.
Per our pro...
Click here for full text