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 complete outstanding tasks.

Why it matters: D'Amour framed the grant losses as part of a national pattern she said highlights the need for sustained public‑health infrastructure funding rather than short‑term, issue‑specific awards. She told board members the department has seen earlier grant fluctuations and that the city’s support has been “very supportive” in helping cover obligations while staff and managers replan services.

Budget details and staffing requests The department requested operating increases in 2025 largely to cover mandated wage and longevity obligations (about 42% of the requested increase) and to add personnel to meet core program demands (about 55% of the request). Among personnel requests, the department sought to convert a part‑time environmental health position to full time because of increased lead‑related mandates and to move a grant‑funded public‑health nurse into the city operating budget.

D'Amour said the mayor’s recommended budget included moving the public‑health nurse into the operating budget and recommended continued support for WIC, but did not recommend converting the part‑time environmental position to full time, citing overall city budget pressures. She said the final budget vote is expected in May.

Capital and systems projects D'Amour described a modest capital request — painting of the health department building — that the recommended capital budget funded in part; she noted city officials may reclassify some building maintenance costs between operating and building management accounts in subsequent years. She also described Norwalk’s participation in a citywide online permitting project (an RFP is out) that would unify inspections, licensing and permitting systems across departments.

Grants overview The department is managing ten active grant contracts: seven direct from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, two delivered through other agencies with Norwalk as a subcontractor (including WIC through Optimus), and one private foundation award (Connecticut Health Foundation). Eight of the ten grants include federal funding, most passed through the state. D'Amour said recent federal messaging characterized the cuts as COVID‑specific reductions.

Board response and next steps Board members asked when final decisions on requested positions would be known; D'Amour replied that one requested position remained in the recommended budget and the final budget would be settled in May. She asked for continued board support as staff work through transitions and thanked city leadership for short‑term support.

Clarifying details - The department said it manages 10 active grant contracts (7 with the state; 2 subcontracted through other agencies; 1 private foundation). - D'Amour reported the department lost three staff (two full time, one part time) as a result of the federal grant cancellations. - The mayor’s recommended budget included moving one public‑health nurse into the city operating budget; the requested conversion of a part‑time environmental position to full time was not recommended. - A capital request to paint the building and the city’s approved funding for an online permitting RFP were discussed.

Ending: The department asked the board to monitor the budget process through May and to note that sustained, flexible public‑health funding remains a primary need to maintain core surveillance and immunization work.