CLARK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM
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Petitioner: |
Melanie Rouse, Coroner |
Recommendation:
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Approve and ratify the grant submission by the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner to the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Behavioral Health, Wellness and Prevention State Opioid Grant in the amount of $1,210,829.00; and authorize the Coroner, or her designee, to sign the grant documents and accept any grant funds awarded. (For possible action)
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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Fund #: |
2031.000 |
Fund Name: |
County Grants |
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Fund Center: |
1230520000 |
Funded PGM/Grant: |
1230.SOR 3.2024 |
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Amount: |
$1,210,829.00 |
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Description: |
Coroner Administration |
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Additional Comments: |
The grant does not require any matching funds. Grant period is 9/30/2024 through 9/29/2025 |
BACKGROUND:
The State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Bureau of Behavioral Health, Wellness and Prevention (BBHWP) has selected the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner (CCOCME) to receive the subgrant funding for the Nevada State Opioid grant in the amount of $1,210,829.00 to support CCOCME's proposal to expand drug panel testing to include Xylazine and other stimulates.
The expanded drug panel testing enhances the capabilities for CCOCME to identify and report on Opioid, Xylazine, and other stimulant-related deaths. The expanded testing will allow CCOCME to report and disseminate the findings of this critical data to public health agencies and relevant stakeholders. The comprehensive testing and data dissemination will support targeted harm reduction efforts, improve community awareness, and ultimately contribute to a decrease in substance-related fatalities in the region.
This subgrant will fund two (2) full-time Forensic Technicians and one (1) full-time Office Specialist. The Forensic Technicians will assist with Forensic laboratory work such as collecting specimens for toxicology testing. The Office Specialist will provide administrative support to the grant program such as, retrieving data and composing lab results for monthly reporting to the grantor. The subgrant will also fund a new Rapid Hit DNA machine. Identifying decedents is the foundation that is required for CCOCME to complete a competent and thorough investigation into substances in our communities. To better assist public health agencies about substances in our communities, we must first ensure the identification of the decedents are complete and this equipment will enable our office to make identifications rapidly to drive forward the investigation and expanded testing process.
Based upon the previous successes of the CCOCME participation in federal and state grant programs, it is
recommended that the Board approve the ratification of this subgrant from the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Behavioral Health, Wellness and Prevention and accept funds awarded on behalf of the CCOCME. This subgrant is now before the Board of County Commission for ratification given CCOCME is a subgrantee of the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Behavioral Health, Wellness and Prevention who applied for the grant.
The following are the pertinent provisions of the contract:
•The term of the contract is from September 30, 2024 through September 29, 2025.
•This contract includes the County's option to terminate with advanced written notice.