Local legislators: Jefferson, Jennings counties providers receive funding boost to improve public health

STATEHOUSE (July 5, 2022) – Local lawmakers said several agencies serving Jefferson and Jennings counties recently received a funding boost through a new state grant program aimed at tackling public health challenges.

State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg), supporter of the law establishing the Health Issues and Challenges Grant, said Indiana recently released more than $35 million in grant funding to local and statewide service providers and health organizations. The program's goal is to help improve health outcomes related to tobacco use, food insecurity/obesity, lead exposure, hepatitis C, chronic disease, and disease prevention programs, including community paramedicine and community health workers.

"Improving our communities' overall health is critically important," Frye said. "These grants are another tool in our tool belt to help us overcome some pressing health challenges and get Hoosiers on the right track."   

Recipients serving Jefferson and Jennings counties and their respective programs that received grant funding include:

• Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, programs for community health workers;
• Jefferson County Health Department, programs for elevated;
• Jennings County Health Department, programs for elevated blood lead levels;
• LifeSpring, Inc., programs for food insecurity and obesity;
• Refresh F5, programs for food insecurity and obesity;
• REFRESH-Foundations Health, programs for community health workers; and
• Refresh-Will Cooke, programs for community paramedicine.

"Local health organizations are always working hard to meet the needs of the community, but unfortunately the uncertainty in our economy and record inflation can exacerbate problems and strain resources," said State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour). "That's why the timing of this grant funding is particularly important, and it's great to see the state target resources to local programs that work."

Statewide organizations that serve local communities also received grants, including the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, the Indiana Rural Health Association, the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, Health By Design and the Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition.
 
According to the Indiana Department of Health, which oversees the program, grant funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026, and additional funding will be offered in a subsequent round.

To learn more, visit in.gov/health/grant-opportunities and click on "Health Issues and Challenges Grant."

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State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) represents House District 69, which includes
portions of Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Jefferson counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) represents House District 67, which includes
all of Ohio and Switzerland counties, as well as portions of Dearborn,
Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.