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Health department seeks regional grant funds, schedules town halls and vaccine clinics
Summary
The county health department told commissioners it will pursue a regional community health worker grant, set back-to-school vaccination clinics for Aug. 17 and 27, and hold town halls in late July; commissioners approved moving forward with grant-related steps, 3-0.
The Henry County health department briefed commissioners on July 8 about several public-health initiatives and a regional grant opportunity aimed at expanding community health services.
Mister Craig (S7) said opioid settlement applications closed with 19 applicants and a review committee meeting scheduled to recommend funding allocations for programs. He also reported the county’s community health assessment is about 85% complete and that staff will gather more survey responses through back-to-school outreach and fairs. "We're about to 85% of our goal of survey respondents," Craig said, noting two town halls planned in Newcastle on July 28 and Knightstown on July 30 to solicit verbal feedback for the assessment.
Craig described a federal-to-state regional program (the Rural Health Grow grant) that would fund a community health worker network; the county’s proposal requests three community health workers for the county for two years, with an option for three additional years. Commissioners discussed whether to hire full-time county employees or use contract staff; the Chair said contracting would be "more appealing" to avoid a long-term obligation if funding lapses. The board approved proceeding with the application and asked staff to follow the state/regional grant process, with a motion that passed 3-0.
Craig also said the health department will hold back-to-school vaccine clinics on Aug. 17 and 27 in the evenings to increase access for students needing required immunizations. Commissioners were invited to attend the planned outreach events.
Why it matters: The proposed community health worker positions and opioid-settlement allocations would expand county outreach and prevention services; hiring model and contract terms will determine long-term staffing implications for the health department.
