STATEHOUSE (Feb. 17, 2022) – State Reps. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) are looking forward to local communities tackling health challenges like diabetes and obesity through a new state grant.
In 2021, Karickhoff and VanNatter supported legislation that created the Indiana Health Issues and Challenges Grants, which will award $50 million to local and statewide service providers, and planning organizations to address longstanding problems. Now, the Indiana Department of Health is accepting grant applications, and Karickhoff said he hopes local providers like health departments, municipalities and nonprofit organizations apply.
"Indiana has many chronic health issues affecting Hoosiers, which is increasing public and private health care costs," Karickhoff said. "These grant funds are designed to go toward targeted plans that would help meet the needs in each community."
Funding can be used to prevent or reduce mental and physical health issues for Hoosiers, including in the areas of tobacco use, food insecurity, obesity, lead exposure, hepatitis C, and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and cancer.
"It's important for Indiana to continue to make wise investments to improve the quality of life and health for Hoosiers," VanNatter said. "Health challenges can vary from county to county and this grant will allow communities to best address issues impacting them the most."
Applications for Indiana Health Issues and Challenges Grants are due by March 31, 2022, with award notices issued by the Indiana Department of Health by July 1, 2022.
For more information and to apply, VanNatter encourages organizations to visit in.gov/health/grant-opportunities and click on "Health Issues and Challenges Grant."
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State Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) represents House District 30, which includes
portions of Grant and Howard counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38, which includes
portions of Carroll, Cass, Howard and Clinton counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
