Clallam County Public Health staff briefed the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 22 about two forthcoming contract amendments from the Washington State Department of Health that together revise program funding in the county consolidated contract.

Public Health Director Kevin (speaker in the meeting) and program staff said Amendment No. 6 adds approximately $2,147,359 across three lines: foundational public health services (FPHS) with a stated dollar amount of $2,047,000 to support 13 FPHS activity areas listed in the contract, a maternal and child health (MCH) block grant of $66,916 to support prenatal and child health services (including developmental screenings, school-readiness work and immunizations outreach), and a public health emergency preparedness allocation of $33,423 for emergency-preparedness staffing. Kevin said the amendment's net effect reflects a shortfall of roughly $62,000 in FPHS due to state cuts that reduced specific program lines such as lead and water systems work.

Staff explained that the MCH block grant is somewhat flexible for program use but is expected largely to fund an existing MCH staff position serving Forks. The public health emergency grant is more prescriptive and is expected to support the environmental health manager
nd emergency-preparedness responsibilities.

Commissioners asked for comparisons with prior-year dollars and for clarity on the WIC program funding discussed in a separate Amendment No. 7. Kevin and staff noted WIC funding often requires local flexible funds to meet program mandates (separation of duties, nutritionist, certifier) and that the county uses public-health block grant funds to subsidize WIC where the state contract alone falls short. Staff said current WIC program shortfalls were addressed in Amendment No. 7 by shifting underspent public health infrastructure grant dollars and that a modest annual farmers-market line-item of $512 remains standard.

Staff will bring both amendments to the Board for approval at the county's regular meeting; commissioners asked clarifying questions about net changes versus prior years and recommended the board review redlined contract pages that show increases and decreases.