Caswell County accepts $297,600 state grant to sustain and expand community paramedic program

Caswell County officials reported on June 15 that the county received award notification for a Rural Health Transformation mobile integrated healthcare grant administered through the North Carolina Office of EMS. The county's application secured $297,600 to sustain and expand the community paramedic program in fiscal year 2027.

Staff told commissioners the grant funds one community paramedic and two community health workers who will handle resource gathering and documentation tied to patient care. The manager said the award was officially notified on June 8 and that the positions funded under the grant would be contingent on continued annual funding; the county may reapply each year through FY31.

Commissioner Totten moved to approve acceptance of the grant; Commissioner Klein seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. The board directed staff to return with a budget amendment at the next meeting (July 6) to appropriate the funds and to note the positions are grant-contingent. The county emphasized the grant requires no county match for FY27 and aims to strengthen behavioral-health crisis response, increase treatment access for substance use disorder and reduce emergency-department utilization.