Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Health Pfas topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Health department accepts $30,941 PFAS response grant; monthly report details overdose review and outreach work
Summary
Jackson County health officials accepted a $30,941 state grant to support PFAS response (filters, installation and staff time) in a block of private wells near the airport; the department also reported progress on overdose fatality review, Narcan distribution and school outreach programs.
The Jackson County Health Department presented and the committee approved acceptance of a $30,941 grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to support county PFAS response work, the department said.
Health staff described the grant as funding for staff time, filter purchases and installation where EGLE sampling has identified PFAS in private wells in a neighborhood near the county airport. The department said 19 registered addresses in the block have had sample “hits” and that homeowners must request the filter assistance in order to receive installation and maintenance.
Commissioners approved the grant by voice vote.
In the department’s monthly report, staff said they convened an introductory overdose fatality review team meeting following a 2024 state law that permits county-level review. The department also reported ongoing Narcan distribution: staff highlighted three Narcan vending machines at rest areas and the health-department outreach coordinator’s social-media work to publicize prevention and training opportunities.
The department described a 12-week prevention program delivered with the county youth center and continued school outreach on immunizations, hearing and vision screening and other preventative services. Department staff also discussed improvements funded by a public-health infrastructure grant, including new flooring and painting in the clinic waiting areas and expanded sensory accommodations intended to reduce anxiety for children receiving services.
On environmental health staffing, the department said it has been without a permanent environmental health director for nearly a year, is splitting oversight responsibilities among senior staff while it performs an internal work session and will revisit the director job posting after 6–9 months of process review.
Commissioners voted to approve acceptance of the PFAS grant and received the monthly report.
