Gibson County Health Department details state Grow grant involvement, new VaxCare platform and outreach plans

Julie, with the Gibson County Health Department, told commissioners the county is participating in the Indiana State Department of Health's five-year Grow Grant ("Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being") designed to expand mobile integrated health and community paramedic services.

"We are going to put in place a community health worker for this. They can help with fall prevention, blood pressure, self monitoring, chronic disease prevention," Julie said, describing services the grant would support if awarded. She said the grant is 100% state-funded for five years, which would cover personnel, vehicle, supplies and point-of-care testing; the county's likely obligation, if awarded, would be to cover insurance costs and later justify continued local support after two years.

Julie also updated the board on operational changes and outreach: the department implemented VaxCare on May 20 to automate vaccine insurance verification and billing so the department can serve more patients without upfront vaccine costs; she said this should improve participation for patients with Medicare and other insurances. The health department plans a baby-shower event at the Princeton Library for expecting mothers and infants up to six months to distribute supplies and resources.

On behavioral-health and overdose prevention, Julie said the county used opioid-settlement funds to produce a brochure summarizing local overdose and suicide statistics and listing partners and resources (including Southwestern Deaconess and Tulip Tree). The brochure will be mailed to residents to raise awareness and provide local contact points for help.

Julie told commissioners she expects updated budget information on Grow Grant decisions by September and that the county has submitted a letter of intent and required cost worksheets as part of the regional application.

Next steps: health department staff will continue participating in regional Grow Grant meetings and will report back with grant award status and any required county obligations for insurance or local funding.