Owen County commissioners unanimously approved a request from public health staff to apply for a reimbursable public health emergency preparedness grant administered by the Indiana Department of Health and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"In case there was an emergency and, say, there was a tornado or something and people got sick from that, we would set up, like, emergency hospitals and help pass out medicine and get them the help they needed," Health Department staff member Christine said, describing the grant's purpose: planning and response capabilities for events such as natural disasters or public-health incidents.

The grant is reimbursable (not a matching grant). Commissioners made a motion to allow Christine to apply for the grant, which was seconded and approved. During the discussion, commissioners noted the position supported by the grant interacts with emergency management (EMA) and dispatch staff.

Why it matters: the award would fund preparedness activities — planning, training, equipment or staffing contingency — that improve the county's ability to respond to public-health emergencies. The grant application and any awarded funds will follow usual county reimbursement accounting procedures.

Ending: Health staff will file the application with the state and return to commissioners as required for acceptance of any award and for budget adjustments associated with reimbursement.