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PHHS rolls out medication lockbox pilot, loses and regains small COVID grant; director warns of proposed SNAP changes
Summary
Agency updates at the May 20 Cook County PHHS meeting included a medication lockbox pilot funded by opioid settlement dollars, an applied suicide-prevention training, a bike-rodeo event, a rejected substance-use prevention grant application and notice of proposed federal SNAP changes that could affect local benefits and county costs.
Cook County Public Health and Human Services staff described several program and grant developments during the May 20 meeting and urged public awareness of possible federal SNAP policy changes.
Director Allison summarized program activity: a medication lockbox pilot — funded with county opioid settlement funds — is now live with distribution sites at PHHS, Grand Portage Health Services, Grand Portage Human Services and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic; the initiative targets older adults in multigenerational homes. Allison also reported PHHS co‑hosted an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) with First Link Crisis Response Center and said a bike rodeo was scheduled for the community center with volunteers still needed.
Allison explained grant outcomes and federal risks: she said the department’s application for a state “super grant” for substance-use prevention was not successful this cycle and that the agency will continue to monitor and apply for other opportunities. She also told the board that staff were informed on March 25 that a COVID-19 vaccine implementation grant had been terminated and later reinstated by the state; the department is working with the county attorney and community health board to accept the reinstated funds while managing potential liability and vendor contract protections.
On federal nutrition policy, Allison summarized a memo from the State Department of Children, Youth and Families describing proposed SNAP changes at the federal level. Those proposed changes would, according to the memo she cited, “expand work requirements to older Americans, impose work requirements on families with children, restrict eligibility for legal noncitizens, and change the thrifty food plan and household deductions used to calculate benefits.” Allison said the agency will do outreach to inform community members about the potential impacts and how to engage with lawmakers.
Ending: Staff will put out a public-health fund RFP for 2026 grant applicants and pursue other funding opportunities; the board is scheduled to review childcare initiatives and wage‑subsidy program planning in the Committee of the Whole ahead of the 2026 budget process.
