Norwalk health leaders warn federal grant cuts cost three staff and deepen budget uncertainty

Norwalk — The Norwalk Health Department told the Board of Health on April 22 that sudden federal cancellations of pandemic-era grants forced the agency to end two local grants and eliminate three positions, while the city recommended moving one public‑health nurse into the operating budget to preserve services.

Diana D'Amour, director of the Norwalk Health Department, said federal agencies abruptly canceled more than $12 billion in grants nationwide that had been allocated during the COVID‑19 response. She said two local grants — the ELC 2 (Enhanced Laboratory Capacity) award and a supplemental immunization grant that supported vaccine outreach and surveillance — were among those affected, and that the department received no advance notice of the terminations.

The budget effect and staff changes matter for everyday services. D'Amour told the board the department lost three employees (two full time and one part time) tied to those grants and has been working with the city to transition or close out grant activities. She said the city has given the department additional time to wind down funded work while staff…