The Iroquois County Health Committee on Sept. 2 asked the county’s mental‑health provider to return in October to explain how a new grant aimed at veterans, first responders and other health‑care providers will be used and whether veterans would be billed through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Committee members said the program description raised multiple questions about who the grant pays for and how VA billing would fit with a service described as free to veterans. Chair (name not specified) said the committee should have Amy from the mental‑health center at the next meeting to explain the program and billing arrangements.

The line of questioning came from committee member Jan, who repeatedly asked whether the grant would pay the center’s providers, whether the center would proactively seek veterans and first responders in the community, whether only veterans would be eligible, and whether any providers in the program are themselves veterans. “Are any of your providers veterans? Is it solely for veterans? How would first responders be billed?” Jan asked during public comment and the agency reports.

Committee members said those are questions for Amy and the mental‑health center; the chair proposed inviting Amy to the Oct. 7 meeting so the committee can “make the best use of the grant money” and be “on the same page.” No formal vote or policy decision was taken; the committee asked staff to contact Amy and have her appear at the Oct. 7 meeting at 9 a.m.

Jan emphasized that veterans often prefer clinicians with military experience. “I wouldn’t want to be seen by somebody that hasn’t been in my shoes,” Jan said, adding that a veteran provider would be a strong addition if the center can arrange that.

Committee members did not receive details at the Sept. 2 meeting about the grant amount, the awarding authority, or whether the center already bills VA health care for services provided under the grant; the transcript records that those items were “not specified.”

Next steps: the committee directed staff to contact Amy at the mental‑health center, request a detailed presentation on the grant and its billing practices, and schedule her appearance at the committee’s Oct. 7 meeting.

No formal motion or funding decision was made at the Sept. 2 meeting.