Health board talks Health First Indiana grants
By HOLLY GASKILL
With Wells County officially opting into Health First Indiana, the county’s Board of Health kickstarted conversations about a potential grant process during a special meeting Thursday.
HFI increases state funding through the state’s Local Health Maintenance Fund from $51,777.15 to $549,510 to address health issues like immunizations, vital records and chronic disease prevention. Wells County, as well as many counties throughout Indiana, will use a portion of funds to support local entities that already have infrastructure to address health needs.
By joining HFI in its second year, the board recognized that there is no need to invent new processes for distributing grants. Public Health Nurse Lynn Blevins said he’s begun developing plans based on the Allen County Health Department’s application process. Board member Molly Hoag also referred to her experience with the Citizens Against Drug Abuse board’s grant process for applications.
However, the board buffered in discussing more specific issues, like grant deadlines, an approval process and criteria. The board was quite wary of being flooded with applications, especially as Commissioner Jeff Stringer said he’s already received calls from organizations outside of Wells County.
To this effect, Stringer emphasized the grant process should prioritize local organizations with clear, specific and measurable plans for the funding. He also recommended the board prioritize applications that address the items Wells County ranks worst in accordance to its Indiana scorecard — adult obesity and smoking. However, this metric is different from the key performance indicators identified in HFI. Board member Dr. Bart Hott suggested the board should only target a select group of KPIs should the department receive many applications.
The board also considered forming a subcommittee to vet applications in between board meetings. Hott was apprehensive if a subcommittee would represent the different interests of the board members, and the board agreed to revisit it at their next meeting.
Nothing was approved or decided, but the board asked Blevins to proceed with preparing an application format and process proposal; their next meeting is at 6:30 a.m. on June 20. An HFI budget is due to the state in September.
In following up on the board’s April discussion of changing their regular meeting time, Board President Chris Esterling said he’s been unable to find a better meeting time for all parties. While Blevins and all board members were present Thursday, Health Officer Dr. Brandon Huggins listened to the meeting via phone, and Environmental Specialist Ryan Bennett and Administrator Sahara Wall were absent.
“I think it’s going to be incredibly hard to change the meeting time,” he concluded. “I would like as much of the staff to be here, (but) it is a board meeting, so that’s probably a higher priority,” he concluded.
Esterling said Wall was taking some time off, but said Thursdays would not work for Huggins’ schedule. Huggins has not been present in person at a board meeting or other county meetings with agenda items pertaining to the Health Department since his appointment on March 19. Blevins previously reported Huggins has been regularly in the office.
holly@news-banner.com
