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Durham Public Health flags cuts to SNAP‑Ed (DINE) and child health programs after federal funding drop
Summary
Public Health Director Rod Jenkins told the commissioners that federal HR1 cuts eliminated SNAP‑Ed funding, removing roughly $1.3M and 13 positions; the department proposed county reallocations to retain a smaller DINE team and warned that a $737K cut to child health will sharply reduce youth mental‑health supports.
Durham County Public Health told the Board of County Commissioners on May 28 that federal changes including HR1 and shifting Medicaid funding dynamics are forcing program reductions that will affect nutrition education and child mental‑health investments.
“On July 4th, HR1 eliminated SNAP‑ED funding,” Dr. Rod Jenkins said. Public Health staff described a roughly $1.3–1.4 million cut in FY26 tied to the federal SNAP‑Ed (DINE) program and said those funds previously supported 13 positions. Jenkins said carryover and county reallocation can retain a reduced team through September 2026, but beyond that the program as previously staffed will not continue without additional funding. “Effective September 2026 DINE as we know it will no longer be in existence,” Jenkins said, adding that four county‑funded positions would remain.
Public Health emphasized DINE’s community role: educators and registered dietitians work in schools and with nearly 70 community partners to deliver nutrition education, Double Bucks and other programs that also drive economic activity. Jenkins cited an economic return estimate presented to the board: each dollar invested returns an estimated $5.36 in future economic benefit.
Child health and youth supports: Jenkins told commissioners that programmatic reductions include an estimated $737,000 cut to child‑health funding that supports community mental‑health programs for youth and families. Staff warned this reduction could cut support from 6–10 community organizations funded at $50K–$200K down to one or two organizations at substantially lower amounts.
Capacity and mitigation: Public Health and DSS staff said they are pursuing grants, exploring partnerships and coordinating messaging with community partners (schools, health centers, nonprofits) to provide continuity. Jenkins described an internal plan to embed a position that can track Medicaid re‑certification status and coordinate cross‑agency follow‑up to reduce losses through the twice‑yearly re‑verification process. Commissioners asked for trend data and for Public Health to report back with clear numbers on what the cuts mean in direct service terms (positions lost, organizations funded, population coverage).
What happens next: Public Health will supply follow‑up requested by commissioners, including more precise counts of positions and program dollars affected, clearer community partner lists, and details on how the county could sustain key activities should federal funding not be restored.
