Morrow County adopts public health modernization plan to qualify for state funding

Morrow County Public Health Director Robin Kennedy, joined by Sarah Ray (communicable disease and public health emergency preparedness coordinator), presented the county’s Public Health Modernization Plan required to access state modernization funds. Staff described the plan as a prioritized statement of foundational public-health capacities — communicable disease prevention and response, emergency preparedness, environmental health protections, health equity, data and surveillance, and public health communications — based on a 2023 cost and capacity assessment.

Sarah Ray said the plan functions as a roadmap that lists personnel and service needs if stable funding were available. Robin Kennedy told commissioners the county’s priorities will shift depending on immediate community needs (for example, if communicable-disease incidence rises the county would prioritize communicable-disease staff). When asked for immediate funding priorities, staff recommended communicable-disease staffing to expand planning, exercises and preparedness work.

Commissioner discussion focused on prioritization and funding sources; staff confirmed they will pursue grants and state modernization funding. Commissioner Winholt moved and the board approved adopting the Morrow County Public Health Modernization Plan for 2026–27. Robin Kennedy thanked the board for its support.

What’s next: The adopted plan will be submitted as part of the county’s modernization funding package and used to pursue grants and prioritize hires and regional partnerships.