HHS to use roughly $115,000 in unused federal block grants to shore up community programs

Sawyer County Health & Human Services staff told the board on Aug. 6 they were offered unused federal block‑grant funds and agreed to accept them to cover shortfalls in community support programs.

Julia (HHS administration) reported the county will receive approximately $115,000 for community support programming, $7,500 for prevention (screen‑time promotional efforts and related outreach) and another $7,500 for treatment and recovery services, including transitions housing. "We are actually going to be getting around a $115,000 towards the community support programming," Julia said. The funds must be used by Sept.30, 2026, though eligible expenses may be charged back to Oct.2025, and they cannot be used to supplant existing funding streams.

Staff said the allocations provide an immediate budget boost to support transitions housing, prevention work and treatment services and will be reflected in future budget updates to the board.