Porter County health board approves minutes and claims; staff report low uptake of newborn endowment

The Porter County Health Board on Tuesday approved minutes from its prior meeting and a set of claims and receipts, and heard staff updates on early-childhood outreach, a local newborn endowment and the HeartSafe initiative.

The board voted to approve minutes and later approved claims and receipts without discussion. Board member Dr. Batson, Board member Michelle, Board member Sylvia, Board member Dr. O'Sane and Board member Terry voted “yes” on the minutes. On the claims and receipts vote, Board member Dr. Batson, Board member Michelle, Board member Robin, Board member Sylvia, Board member Dr. O'Sane and Board member Terry recorded “yes” votes. No “no,” abstain or recusal votes were recorded in the meeting transcript; both motions were recorded as approved.

The votes matter because they clear the board’s agenda to allow staff to pursue outreach, events and grant applications discussed at the meeting.

Staff reports focused on outreach and small-program activity. Staff member Lehi told the board that the department met with First Things First, now operating under the Porter County Community Foundation, to discuss referrals and possible collaboration on services for children aged 0–3. Lehi reported that First Things First has an established newborn endowment that contributes $150 at birth; department staff said only about 18 percent of Porter County newborns have enrolled in the endowment since it began. Lehi and other staff discussed ways to increase awareness, including asking about 0–3 children during client intake and promoting the program through social media and partner providers.

Lehi said First Things First staff previously requested access to birth-certificate data to reach families, and the department told the foundation that parents must opt in and that birth-certificate access would not be provided. That limitation shaped how the department and the foundation can coordinate outreach.

Lehi told the board the department applied for a grant to cover the implementation fee for an AED registry tied to PulsePoint; the transcript did not specify the grant amount. The board also heard an update on the HeartSafe initiative, led in part by intern Carrie, which aims to coordinate community partners around cardiac arrest response and prevention. Staff encouraged community partners — including elected officials, fire and parks departments — to participate in HeartSafe teams and said Dr. Weaver will begin facility tours in September as part of outreach through 2026.

Staff previewed a community baby-shower event scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Porter County Community Foundation office, which staff said would include about 29 vendors and giveaways such as a premium ultrasound. Staff said the event is being supported by local partners and donors, and that food and other contributions had been secured at no cost to the department.

The board heard that the department did not receive one grant it had sought from First Things First; staff said the evaluators favored proposals focused on services leading up to birth (for example, farm-to-table supports for pregnant people) while the department’s proposal focused on services after birth. Staff said they will continue to pursue other grants and monitor opportunities, and that the AED registry grant decision is expected in October.

The meeting closed with a public-comment period and a motion to adjourn.