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Council approves extension of community health worker program funded by state grant
Summary
The council approved a renewal of the Health Department's community health worker program funded by a Texas Health and Human Services Commission grant worth about $464,000. The grant funds five positions and supplies such as naloxone and provides limited client-support assistance; the city's match is primarily in-kind.
LUBBOCK, Texas — The City Council on Aug. 12 approved a renewal of a community health worker program run by the Lubbock Health Department, continuing federal- and state-funded outreach to individuals with substance-use disorder and related needs.
Grant details: Director of Public Health Doctor Wells told the council the grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is for approximately $464,000, supports five community-health-worker positions and covers program supplies such as naloxone. The program provides trained lay workers to perform outreach, help connect residents with treatment and social services, and provide limited assistance for immediate needs (for example, co-pays, work-related footwear or first-week sober-living costs). Wells said the program has been operating since 2020 and that the state typically funds these grants in multi-year cycles.
Match and administration: Councilmembers asked about the city match. Wells said the 5% match is largely in-kind: the department uses existing personnel time (for example, portions of an assistant director's salary), IT and other administrative support that the city already budgets. Wells said the state has indicated multi-year funding is likely when renewals are awarded.
Vote: The council approved the grant renewal by recorded vote; later in the meeting a separate motion to adopt the minutes and consent items passed unanimously where applicable.
Quote: "This grant is for $464,000 from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It employs 5 staff and it is primarily around working with individuals that have substance use disorder," Dr. Wells said.
Next steps: The program will continue operations under the Health Department; staff will track grant expenditures and return to council as required by local procurement and grant rules.
