Health department warns of grant‑rule changes and proposes using carryover funds to sustain partners

The DeKalb County Health Department told the council it must revise how it uses two Healthfirst grant streams after the state restricted one fund to legal Indiana residents, a change that created new documentation and screening requirements for public-health services.

Public‑health staff described steps taken to comply: a pre‑screening form to document residency and required identity documents (birth certificate or driver’s license) and a plan to maintain two funding pots so medically urgent care (including communicable‑disease treatment) can start promptly while the department sorts out grant eligibility. Officials warned that the new rule increases administrative workload and that some expenses previously covered by Healthfirst now must be covered by county funds or other grants.

Health staff said they have roughly $200,000 in carryover from prior Healthfirst allocations and recommended using those dollars to sustain partner organizations for at least one year while they await state guidance and 2028 funding decisions. The department also proposed modest increases to operating and incentives budgets to reduce the need for mid‑year transfers and flagged several capital items that may be eligible for grant funds but could require county funding if grant balances are exhausted.

What happens next: Health staff will provide updated metrics (infant‑mortality and other performance indicators) when state dashboards are available, continue partner funding using carryover as necessary, and monitor grant rules to plan for 2028 funding.