Article submitted by Jamie Fleury, The Pilot News Staff Writer
MARSHALL COUNTY — The Marshall County Council approved Marshall County Health Department (MCHD) Public Health Nurse Sandy Dunfee’s request to apply for the second part of the Schools Reopening Grant in the amount of $110,000.
If approved, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Division of Emergency Preparedness (DEP), the Epidemiology Resource Center (ERC), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding will be used by the MCHD to continue to work with school corporations across Marshall County by providing already contracted staff who will assist with updating immunization records and to provide assistance with vision and hearing screens.
Though the Council did not approve the request to apply for the first part of the grant, Dunfee explained that the parameters of the second disbursement have changed. “It’s year number two of a grant that was denied by the council last year. They changed some of the parameters for year two which includes helping the schools get caught up with all of their immunization requirements. We would be offering assistance to them with data entry and of course giving the immunizations. It also discusses their Communicable Disease Plan which is something that the state requires them to do. We are going to have a county health nurse meeting in August to be able to offer up some of our staff to help them with some of those things.”
Member Heath Thornton reiterated that the request for the first part of the grant was denied last year, but the parameters have changed. Dunfee confirmed that there is still some language about the COVID vaccine.
The MCHD is obligated to offer the vaccine; all medical decisions are up to parents and guardians. According to Dunfee, St. Joseph Health System and Beacon Health are administering the COVID vaccines at the school when requested.
The COVID vaccine is also still available at the Health Department located at the Community Resource Building on Adams St.
Vice President Jim Masterson said, “So Sandy, nothing is mandatory as far as immunizations and forcing tests and all of that.”
Dunfee emphasized, “Oh no! Of course not. Never. I would never participate in that.”
Thornton said that the $110,000 from last year appeared to focus on hiring staff. Dunfee explained that the MCHD has contracted staff already in place who will be utilized.
Member Jesse Bohannon asked if the source of the funds was the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Dunfee admitted that it was confusing when reviewing the grant data to answer that question.
Bohannon said he was unable to find information on the Schools Reopening Grant on either a state or federal website. “It was tough for me on that.”
Dunfee referred to IDOH DEP and former President Donald Trump’s Covid Response Plan. A second source she found was from the CDC; Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. “That one was part of a CDC grant that they filtered down to each state and the state is filtering it down to the local.” answered Dunfee, admitting again that it was confusing.
Member Tim Harman referred to the denial of the first grant request and requested confirmation regarding parameter changes. He noted that previous concerns were that compliance to certain unknown directives could be implemented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Dunfee repeated that the parameters for year two of the grant are different from year one.
Thornton said that his previous concerns with the requirements are no longer concerns for him now that the parameters have changed.
Member Steve Harper added, “The last one had an emphasis on contact tracing. This one doesn’t seem to.” Dunfee confirmed that was accurate. Dunfee said, “Out of respect for this council I would not have applied if I felt that it was the same thing being presented again. I thought the changes in year two were okay.”
Member Jon VanVactor made a motion to approve the grant. Member Harper seconded the motion. All other members approved with no further discussion with one abstain by member Jesse Bohannon.
Dunfee also updated the council that the MCHD is seeking a second public health nurse. Applications can be found online at co.marshall.in.us.
