A historic funding package, and how it might be invested, was the topic of discussion when Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Indiana State Health Commissioner, spoke this week to a gathering of Noble County stakeholders at Augusta Hills Learning, Recreation and Community Center in Albion.

Dr. Weaver is making rounds across the state, visiting each of Indiana’s 92 counties, including 86 that chose to receive a share of $75 million beginning in 2024. The state will allocate another $150 million in 2025. Noble County opted in, with an approval by Noble County Commissioners, and is set to receive $572,000 in the first year. As much as one million may come in year two, according to Dr. Weaver. These figures are drastically higher than the $57,000 the county previously received from the state each year. The smaller amount was the result of funding based on population.

“The nation is watching what we are doing here in Indiana,” explained Dr. Weaver. “This funding is truly brilliant.”

The Health First Indiana Initiative is a measure co-sponsored by David Abbott, District 18 State Representative, and Senator Sue Glick, both of whom attended the meet-up. The initiative focused on providing core services, to include lead screening, food protection, trauma and injury prevention, vaccines, public education, and more.

Dr. Weaver went on to talk about Noble County’s Health Scorecard. The dashboard provides data on seven specific metrics. She summarized the list and how Noble County ranks, demonstrating opportunities for improvement:

Ann Lowe, Public Health Nurse for the Noble County Health Department, said department personnel have been closely following and engaged in the opportunity to advocate for Noble County for about 18 months. She announced that the department, in coming months, will put out a request for proposals to seek opportunities to tackle Noble County’s local health priorities. Organizations that provide public health and wellness services in Noble County, including for-profits and non-profits, are encouraged to follow Noble County Health Department on social media.

When asked why some counties did not opt in to receive funding, Dr. Weaver explained that most were either not ready to do so or wanted to take a “wait and see” approach, since they can opt in next year as well. She confirmed that the funds come with few strings attached. The “guardrails” in play provide some maximums for specific uses that include no more than 10% for capital projects (brick and mortar, for example), up to 60% for the delivery of health-related core services (with a focus on prevention), and no more than 40% for regulatory measures.

Dr. Weaver highlighted common, statewide need for improvement including water quality and the expansion of sewer systems, noting a high number of residences using wells that are not routinely tested and concerns over led exposure from old pipes. Tina Lough, Deputy Health Officer at the Noble County Health Department, advised the audience that well testing kits are available upon request and that tests can include heavy metal detection, which would identify levels of lead and arsenic.

Immunization rates were also discussed, with audience members sharing local observations and general concerns over declining numbers in the midst of increasing reports of measles and mumps. Some attribute the increase to families traveling abroad, especially with younger children who are not immunized and contract an illness abroad.

Group discussions during the meet-up also turned to concerns over the workforce. Jordi Disler, who was recently named the new President of Parkview Noble Hospital, shared the difficulties faced in the healthcare industry, where many workers have left their professions during and after the pandemic. The shortage of providers recently led to Parkview Health’s announcement that labor and delivery services at Parkview hospitals in LaGrange and DeKalb Counties would be phased out.

An overarching question raised from workforce concerns rose up. How do we entice people to come into the sector and work in Noble County?

Dr. Weaver provided some comfort, noting that a healthcare workforce committee is in development to tackle the issue statewide, because the challenge is felt across all regions. She mentioned that effort will include a summit, to be announced sometime in the future.

To learn more about health services, contact the Noble County Health Department at (260) 636-2191 or visit https://www.in.gov/localhealth/noblecounty/. Area organizations interested in joining the ongoing conversation about how state funds might be invested locally are encouraged to attend Noble County Interagency meetings, held on a monthly basis. For more information, contact Be Noble Inc. at (260) 636-3800 and ask staff to help make that connection.