Board hears grant wins and budget cuts, faces staffing and funding shifts tied to residency rules and contract changes

County health leaders briefed the Monroe County Board of Health on Sept. 18 about recent grants, budget changes and operational implications of state-level funding rules and contracting changes.

The board was told that three grants had been approved at the county level: approximately $20,000 for public-health emergency preparedness, about $70,000 in harm-reduction funding for a one-year term, and roughly $58,000 in additional disease-intervention funds. The disease-intervention funding increase brought total grant support for that program to about $300,000 and pays for four positions; the department said the fourth disease-intervention specialist position has been posted as a 35-hour PAT A position.

Board members discussed how legislative changes affect Health First Indiana–funded positions. The county reported that council action earlier this year moved many positions and contracts into the County Health Fund…