County encourages health department to apply for ~$50,000 Kendrick Foundation grant for parks and fitness programs

Trish Renigan of the Morgan County Health Department presented a request to seek roughly $50,000 from the Kendrick Foundation to support two public-health strategies: (1) improved places for physical activity (parks and green-space modifications) and (2) expanded community fitness programs run with the YMCA, including more instructor hours and training. Trish said the county previously received opioid-settlement funding for one of three applied strategies and now seeks additional funding for the remaining two strategies.

Commissioners noted the timing during Mental Health Month and highlighted the evidence linking physical activity and outdoor spaces to improved mental health. Without objections, the board recorded a motion encouraging the health department to submit the Kendrick Foundation application; the motion passed 3–0. Trish said she will keep the board posted if the county advances to the next grant stage.

The board’s encouragement supports staff’s ability to prepare the required letter of intent due Friday; any award and subsequent spending would require the usual appropriation and reporting steps if grant funds are received.