Health and Human Services staff warns federal food-share cut could strain county services
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Summary
Health and Human Services staff reported program updates—including a new men's-shed project, radon and tick-prevention campaigns—and said a federal cut to the food-share matching rate (from roughly 50¢ on the dollar to about 25¢) is increasing workload and risks staff shortages and higher error rates.
Health and Human Services staff told the Richland County Community and Health Services Standing Committee on Feb. 5 that a mix of program expansions and federal funding changes will affect county operations.
The staffer said the department will restart a Rise & Dine program at the Phoenix Center and launch a community "men's shed" in Lloyd in March to promote socialization for men over 60. Public-health efforts under way include a radon-awareness campaign (testing kits available at the county front desk), a grant-funded tick-bite prevention program and planning for a campaign on adolescent anxiety.
On federal funding, Health and Human Services staff said the county had previously received a roughly 50% federal match for food-share administration but that the match was cut in October to about 25¢ on the dollar. "Starting in October, for every dollar we spend we're only gonna get 25¢ back," the staffer said, and that loss is prompting advocacy with state legislators to restore the prior reimbursement level. The staffer said the cut led the department to leave an economic-support specialist position unfilled in the 2026 budget and is increasing workload for remaining staff, which in turn raises the risk of higher error rates and potential federal penalties.
The staffer also warned that the county no longer has a detox facility locally, which increases pressure on emergency departments and lengthens hospital stays for residents in crisis.
Committee members asked about sheltering and overnight capacity during cold weather; the staffer said the department will pursue stakeholder planning meetings with state partners and will review emergency-management shelter plans to identify feasible options.
The presentation closed with routine administrative updates, including filling a long-vacant secretary position and the recent hire of an internal lead case manager whose primary focus will be staff training.
The committee did not take formal action on the HHS report; staff said they would continue legislative advocacy and return updates to the committee.
