Jefferson County lawmakers: Grants available to address local health challenges

Local communities tackling health challenges

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 18, 2022) – Jefferson County legislators are looking forward to local communities tackling health challenges like diabetes and obesity through a new state grant.

In 2021, State Reps. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) and Zach Payne (R-Charlestown) supported a law creating the Indiana Health Issues and Challenges Grants, which will award $50 million to local and statewide service providers, and planning organizations to address longstanding problems. Now, the Indiana Department of Health is accepting grant applications, and Lucas said he hopes local providers like health departments, municipalities and nonprofit organizations apply.

"Improving Hoosiers' health is key to reducing our health care costs and having a vibrant state to live and work in," Lucas said. "These grants will help our communities strategically tackle health concerns."

Lucas said funding can be used to prevent or reduce mental and physical health issues for Hoosiers, including in the areas of tobacco use, food insecurity, obesity, lead exposure, hepatitis C, and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and cancer.

"We prioritized passing this legislation last year to help organizations whose efforts are focused on finding solutions to some of the most pressing health issues our communities encounter," Payne said. "These grants will provide additional support and tools as we continue to work toward improving the quality of life for all Hoosiers."

Payne said applications for Indiana Health Issues and Challenges Grants are due by March 31, 2022, with award notices issued by the Indiana Department of Health by July 1, 2022.

For more information and to apply, Payne encourages organizations to visit in.gov/health/grant-opportunities and click on "Health Issues and Challenges Grant."