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County reports multiple Code Blue activations; Java Family Services reminds residents about benefits assistance
Summary
County Administrator Jason Boyd said the county mobilized shelters and resources during three Code Blue activations and credited nonprofits and the fair board for assistance; a Java Family Services representative reminded benefit recipients that the agency’s call center can connect them to customer service.
County Administrator Jason Boyd told the Lake County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 20 that the county activated its Code Blue protocol three times in recent days and worked with nonprofit partners, the church network, United Way and the Emergency Management Agency to provide cots, blankets and other necessities.
“We've had 3 codes this week,” County Administrator Jason Boyd said. He described weekly coordination calls with nonprofits and that the county’s emergency management director and others were mobilized to meet short-term needs for additional cots and blankets.
Boyd said county staff and partner organizations responded quickly and that county Buildings and Grounds staff routinely assist with logistics. He noted the county has used a former county facility for temporary shelter in prior years but said that building now has engineering and electrical issues that make it unusable, and the county will look for a long-term programmatic location for warming/shelter services.
A representative of Java Family Services addressed the board and reminded members of the public who receive public assistance benefits — including SNAP, cash assistance, Medicaid or childcare benefits — that they can contact the agency’s call center to be connected with customer service representatives for questions or concerns about their benefits. The transcript included an oral phone number provided during the meeting; the published minutes did not include a complete, verified telephone number.
Boyd thanked Commissioner Beveridge for his involvement with Code Blue operations and thanked the fair board for providing space or support during activations.
Why it matters: Repeated Code Blue activations indicate active winter sheltering needs and ongoing coordination between county government, nonprofits and faith groups. The county’s search for a long-term facility and continued coordination with partner organizations could affect where and how warming/shelter services are delivered.
No formal board action was recorded on Code Blue operations during the meeting; the remarks were provided as part of the county administrator’s departmental report.
