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Austin Public Health director warns federal grant cuts are causing staff instability and service gaps; requests $9.2M in local support
Summary
Director Stirrup told the Public Health Commission that abrupt starts and stops in federal grant funding have put core programs and staff at risk, and that the department has identified about $9.2 million in general-fund needs to stabilize services and maintain outbreak and emergency response capacity.
Director Stirrup, leading Austin Public Health, told the commission that the department has experienced "stops and starts" in federal grant funding since May and is operating under persistent instability.
Stirrup said the uncertainty affects services the department considers core and statutorily mandated under the Texas Health and Safety Code: adult immunizations for safety-net populations, technical support for vaccine-for-children providers, disease-intervention and follow-up for communicable diseases (including HIV, STIs and tuberculosis), the refugee clinic, and the public-health emergency response program, including BioWatch and air monitoring.
Stirrup said the department has worked to preserve jobs where possible but that abrupt funding changes have forced last-minute separations and…
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