Will County health officials report accreditation success, staffing increases and caution over federal funding risks
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Summary
The Will County Health Department reported Joint Commission and CARF accreditation activity, added behavioral-health staff and planned service expansions, and warned committee members the department is monitoring federal funding actions that could affect several programs while injunctions temporarily preserve funds.
Elizabeth Bellanderville (County Health Department) presented the department’s annual report and said the community health center recently underwent Joint Commission review with no high violations noted; printed reports will be available next meeting. She also reported that the department is coordinating a website accessibility update to meet ADA requirements and is working to increase clinic capacity and walk-in access.
On federal funding, staff told the committee they are closely monitoring multiple federal actions and litigation. Health department staff said they are "watching 4 federal lawsuits right now involving the state of Illinois" and noted one Office of Management and Budget action to rescind roughly $600,000,000 from four states and a second freeze of about $10,000,000,000 that affects several programs, including TANF and childcare-block grants. Staff said temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions currently allow most funding to continue while litigation proceeds.
Dr. Kathleen Berg, representing the behavioral-health division and substance-use services, said the division added three licensed clinical therapists and a clinical intern to reduce appointment wait times and named a new substance-use treatment provider who will support reopening an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Berg said the department runs a clinical training program and has received strong applicant interest.
Berg also reported on opioid-response efforts: the Illinois opioid remediation settlement Region 5 approved an "equitable-access transportation voucher" proposal to reimburse transportation to services not covered by Medicaid, and the department is preparing to participate in statewide bidding for the program. On overdose response supplies, Berg reported the department distributed "1,195 boxes of Narcan in February" and provided fentanyl test strips to partner locations.
Committee members asked about contingency plans should federal funds be rescinded and whether the state has withheld funds; staff replied that state funding has not been withheld and that the department is pursuing legislative advocacy and regional coordination to protect services.
Next steps: department will share printed copies of the annual report at the next committee meeting and continue legislative outreach while monitoring the litigation and funding status.