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Health department wins grant approvals, adds part‑time community health worker slot
Summary
The council approved immunization and STD prevention grants and authorized a new part‑time community health worker position funded by an early‑learning grant; councilors asked about pay, benefits and grant stability.
Vanderburgh County’s Health Department received county council approval to accept two public‑health grants and to create one part‑time community health worker position tied to an early‑learning program.
Councilors approved the immunization grant and the sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention grant, both carried in the meeting as motions M and N. The council later approved the health department’s request to create a part‑time community health worker position under the early‑learning grant (line P). The new position was described as a part‑time role of up to 29 hours per week and will not include county insurance benefits.
Council members raised questions about the advertised salary and whether the position had been incorrectly submitted as a full‑time post. A county staff member said the $43,742 figure in the original paperwork was incorrect for a part‑time appointment and that pay would be set to the community health worker pay scale pro‑rated for part time. Meeting discussion referenced an hourly rate near $23.07 for parity with the full‑time scale; the county said exact hourly and annualized figures would be aligned to the county pay schedule.
Councilors also asked about preferred qualifications. The health department said a high school diploma is required and bilingual candidates (Spanish or Haitian Creole) are preferred, though interpretation services are available. Officials said the department already employs several bilingual community health workers across grant programs and that waiting lists exist for the pre‑K home‑visiting program the position will support.
Council discussion touched on grant stability. A council member asked whether a recent temporary federal pause on grant funding could affect programs; health department representatives said existing contracts and current grant awards should continue but acknowledged future funding could be affected and said they would monitor state and federal developments.
The motions to accept the grants and to create and fill the part‑time position passed by voice vote.
Ending: Department leaders said they will proceed with recruitment and align the job posting with the county pay schedule and grant rules.
