Latest news with #LakeCountyHealthDepartment
Chicago Tribune
17-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Lake, Porter counties navigate Health First Indiana budget cuts
The Lake County Health Department will shift its plan for its Health First Indiana key performance indicator for maternal and child health as its program funding from 2025 to 2026 will drastically decrease. Health First Indiana was created by Senate Enrolled Act 4, which was legislation that passed in the 2023 legislative session, to address public health in Indiana. The program establishes a public health infrastructure through a state and local partnership where each county, after choosing to opt in, can determine which health services to invest in based on community needs. The state funded the program $75 million in fiscal year 2024 and $150 million in fiscal year 2025. For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Health First Indiana will be funded $40 million per year, $80 million total, said Porter County Health Department Administrator Carrie Gschwind. Porter County received approximately $3.39 million in Health First Indiana funds in 2025, and has been notified it will receive approximately $906,000 in 2026, Gschwind said. 'We will have to cut some programming with the 73% reduction and are currently working with our team and partners to determine the most strategic course of action to make the most impact on the health outcomes of the residents of Porter County, keeping in mind those county-level key performance indicators, in light of the reduced funding,' Gschwind said. Lake County Health Department Administrator Sheila Paul told the Lake County Council Tuesday the department will take a 'big gut punch' after learning it would receive $2.5 million in Health First Indiana funding in 2026 compared to the $9 million received in 2025. 'Lake County deserves a public health infrastructure that is proactive, not reactive. Continued investment is key to making that vision a reality,' said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Chandana Vavilala. As part of the Health First Indiana program, Lake County established a goal to decrease the rate of mothers not receiving early prenatal care from 33.7% in 2022 to 28% in 2027. Another goal under the same umbrella is to decrease the count of congenital syphilis cases in Lake County from 4 in 2023 to zero in 2027. Initially, the Lake County Health Department had planned to hire six people to meet its key performance indicator for maternal and child health, Paul told the council. But with the decrease in funding, that program was scrapped, she said. Vavilala told the Post-Tribune the plan was to open two maternal health clinics – in the northern and southern portions of the county – staffed with a dedicated team of nurse practitioners, social workers and clerical staff. The clinics and staff would provide comprehensive support to expectant mothers, including prenatal care access, social support and child safety education, Vavilala said. 'Our vision was to take a holistic approach to maternal and infant health, targeting the systemic factors that contribute to poor outcomes,' Vavilala said. 'Disappointingly, with the potential reduction in Health First Indiana funding, we will not have the resources to staff or equip these clinics.' But Vavilala said Lake County is committed to improving prenatal care access. Department officials will continue to work closely with community partners and enhance internal education and outreach to support maternal and child health throughout the county, she said. 'Establishing two fully staffed clinics would require significant investment overall,' Vavilala said. 'While we continue to believe in the importance of these services, the financial realities make this model unsustainable under the revised funding.' Beyond this programming, Vavilala said the Lake County Health Department is still evaluating how else the reduced funds may impact programming. 'Our goal is to maximize impact with the resources we have and to minimize disruption to essential services. At this time, no final decisions have been made, and we are actively engaging with internal teams and local stakeholders to determine the best path forward,' Vavilala said. Health First Indiana was established to help local health departments address health challenges and make health care equitable to all, Vavilala said. So a reduction in the program will impact the county's ability to expand essential services that address pressing public health issues, she said. 'With fewer resources, we may have to scale back or delay programs that directly address health disparities, connect residents to care, and support long-term prevention. This not only limits the reach of our work but also slows progress toward measurable improvements in community health outcomes,' Vavilala said.
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Family First Center of Lake County licensed as behavioral clinic; ‘We … address all of their needs — mentally, spiritually and emotionally'
The Family First Center of Lake County is taking a significant step in its mission of empowering families by becoming licensed as an Illinois Certified Behavioral Clinic after nearly 25 years of helping people with mental and emotional needs. Rachael Chenier, Family First's executive director, said the new designation enables the organization to bill Medicaid and private insurance companies for what it provides to community members for services like counseling, wellness, substance abuse, holistic help and more. 'We take a holistic approach to enable people to be mentally and emotionally stable,' Chenier said. 'We take a thorough approach and address all of their needs — mentally, spiritually and emotionally.' The Family First Center in Waukegan officially became a Certified Behavioral Clinic on May 1 in its effort to help community members and their families put their lives on a firm footing after experiencing setbacks. Among the services available through Family First are counseling, group counseling and case management, as well as holistic health services like yoga, meditation and participation in a wellness circle. With an ultimate goal of a strong family, Family First strives, 'to nurture, educate and provide opportunities within the community by placing emphasis on rebuilding the family, repairing division and developing strategies to empower change to create a strong family support system,' according to its mission statement. Many Hernandez, Family First's director of operations, said the services are multidimensional, helping people care for their body, spirit and emotions. When more is necessary, it is added to the mix offered. 'We address all their needs,' Hernandez said. 'This is the holistic approach — to be mentally, emotionally and financially stable so the whole family is intact.' In the past, Chenier said Family First financed its operations with grants, donations and events. None of those activities will stop, but the addition of funding from Medicaid and private insurance companies will go a long way toward helping more people. Becoming a certified behavioral clinic is important for many of the people who live in Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion and other parts of northeast Lake County. Too often, people wait until the situation becomes too acute. 'The African American and Latino population in this area uses the emergency room at the hospital as their primary care location,' Chenier said. 'All of our services are bilingual. We want to increase the awareness of our services so people know to come to us.' Should a community member need individual counseling, Family First Center founder Evelyn Chenier, Rachel's mother and the director of mental health services, gets involved. Evelyn Chenier is a PhD psychologist and licensed counselor. Should an individual need medication to treat a mental health condition, Everly Chenier said the person is referred to Lake Behavioral Hospital or the Lake County Health Department. She also does play therapy with children. 'It helps with defining issues,' Evelyn Chenier said. 'When you see them play, it can help (to understand) anxiety or anger issues.' Taking a holistic approach, Rachael Chenier said there are times people need help where part of the remedy is available elsewhere. A township — Waukegan, Zion, Benton, Avon or Warren — can help with emergency financial situations like rent or utilities. PADS Lake County helps with homelessness. Unlike many behavioral clinics, Family First officials do not just wait for people to come to them. Hernandez said Family First goes into the community to let people know about what is available and how the organization can help. 'We meet people where they are,' Hernandez said. 'We go all around the county. We let people know all our services are in one location. We take our services out into the community. We call it unity in the community.'
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Confirmed Measles Cases in Indiana Prompt Action in Lake County
With Indiana reporting its first confirmed measles cases of the year, Lake County health officials are expanding vaccination efforts to guard against a potential spread of the virus. This week, the Indiana Department of Health confirmed six measles cases in Allen County, nearly three hours away from Lake County and its Gary residents. All six cases are related to one another, involving four unvaccinated minors and two adults whose vaccination status is unclear, according to the Indiana Department of Health. This is Indiana's first measles case since a Lake County resident was diagnosed in early 2024. As of April 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 607 confirmed measles cases in 22 jurisdictions across the United States and said the risk to the public remains low. In response, the Lake County Health Department is offering extended hours at two locations in the region, in addition to its daily immunization clinic, without an appointment needed. Vaccination clinics are available at the following locations and dates: Thursday, April 10, 2 to 6 Sportsplex and Community Center6630 Indianapolis Blvd., HammondPhone: (219) 853-7660 Tuesday, April 15, 4 to 8 Dean White Center6600 Broadway, MerrillvillePhone: (219) 980-5911 Daily immunization clinic Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 County Health Department2900 W. 93rd Ave., Crown PointPhone: (219) 755-3655 If you are unsure about your or your family's vaccination status, contact the Lake County Health Department for guidance at (219) 755-3655. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be spread easily, particularly among unvaccinated people, through coughing and sneezing. Contact with contaminated air or surfaces can aid the spread of measles. Measles typically starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, usually appearing seven to 14 days after exposure, but symptoms can develop up to 21 days later, according to the Indiana Health Department. Symptoms can also emerge as tiny white spots (Koplik spots) inside the mouth and/or a rash on the hairline and face, eventually spreading to the back, torso, arms, hands, legs, and feet. After about five days, the rash gradually fades in the reverse order in which it appeared. People born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles, while children under the age of 5 and younger are more at risk for serious complications from exposure, according to the CDC. Measles is entirely preventable through vaccination. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, according to the Indiana Department of Health. The Lake County Health Department encourages all eligible residents to check their vaccination status and take immediate action if needed. If you present symptoms of measles, the health department recommends residents stay home, avoid public spaces, and contact their health care provider immediately before visiting the doctor's office. The post Confirmed Measles Cases in Indiana Prompt Action in Lake County appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Chicago Tribune
04-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County organizations scrambling in face of federal funding cuts; ‘There's a lot of anxiety'
The Lake County Health Department said it's still trying to figure out what the recent $125 million cut in federal funding to Illinois for combatting infectious diseases, announced last week by the Illinois Department of Public Health, will mean for the county. Health department and county representatives did not say what the exact amount and impact of the grant cuts will be. According to the department's 2024 annual report, roughly $26.8 million, about 30% of the LCHD's budget last year, came from state and federal grants. 'The county is actively evaluating all available options, in the event of a funding impact, across our various federal funding sources to support the numerous departments that depend on these resources to deliver their essential services,' a health department spokesperson said. According to an IDPH press release, the federal funding was awarded to Illinois through 14 separate budget lines in the federal bipartisan CARES Act passed during the first administration of President Donald Trump. Another $324 million for future work to prevent and treat infectious disease in Illinois was also being blocked, the release said. The money was meant for disease surveillance and vaccination activities, with the $125 million meant to strengthen COVID-19, measles and H5N1 disease surveillance, and to prepare for future potential pandemics. The threat of various federal funding cuts, whether announced or only rumored, has sent shockwaves through numerous sectors in Lake County beyond the health department. Nonprofit leaders working in housing, healthcare, education and more describe a general uncertainty and anxiety over funding issues, with organizations making plans to tighten their budgets in anticipation of possible cuts and reaching out to county partners in hopes of making up for any shortfalls. 'In the social service sector, there's a lot of anxiety about just how to prepare,' United Way of Lake County President Quinton Snodgross said. He warned that even if their partners in the county, some of whom rely on federal funding, are not directly impacted by cuts, the current uncertainty could mean reductions in services. 'There's a lot of nonprofits that are still trying to understand the situation they're in and what is coming down the road,' Snodgrass said. 'A lot of people are making preparations for things that haven't necessarily happened yet and trying to adjust for what they could do.' He warned cuts would have 'immediate and compounding effects' on already vulnerable families. Gale Graves, vice president of community impact with United Way, said officials there are already seeing ripple effects from cuts to the USDA, ending funding for farmers who were supplying food pantries. Both warned that cuts to anything, whether related to healthcare, housing or food, have ripple effects that appear in seemingly unrelated issues. 'The whole ecosystem is connected,' Snodgrass said. 'When one nonprofit loses funding, like if a clinic closes, those patients are going to be pushed to ERs or other places. A cut in shelter funding, whether for emergency shelter or rental assistance, is going to increase homelessness. That impacts education, because student mobility is a key factor in student success. It's going to impact health outcomes, and a slew of other things.' Even delays in funding can be detrimental for some smaller organizations. Graves recalled prior to the pandemic, when social service funding was held back under then Gov. Bruce Rauner. Some organizations, unable to weather the delay, closed their doors before the money finally arrived, she said. 'There are several places where funding is being delayed, and that's equivalent to a cut. Most nonprofits do not have a large operating surplus,' Snodgrass said. 'If they're looking at 30% of their budget being delayed by three, four, five months, that will cause an interruption in service.' Snodgrass expects the number of people who fall under the 'ALICE' designation — 'Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed' — to rise as federal funding is lost. These are people and families who are above the federal poverty rate, but below United Way's calculated survivable wage for the county. 'It's going to be a domino effect that agencies are going to feel,' Snodgrass said. 'But also individuals in our community are going to feel because they're reliant on services that maybe they don't know, or aren't expecting, to be impacted.' Eric Foote, director of finance and operations at Lake County PADS, said about 13% of their budget, roughly $675,000, comes from federal funding. Cuts could be 'devastating' to their work, which includes combating homelessness. 'One of the things federal dollars are focused on is paying for people that are chronically homeless to have housing,' Foote said. 'That's hard to privately fund for; it requires steady and consistent funding.' Federal funds support marginalized communities in the county, and if resources drop, PADS is 'going to have to make some terrible decisions,' he warned. 'We're not in the business of making money; we're in the business of turning resources into support for people,' Foote said. In the face of a 'growing crisis' with homelessness, they were 'getting squeezed from both ends. We've got more demand and less resources.' Rachel Chenier, executive director of Family First Center of Lake County, said officials there 'just don't know' what the future holds. Chenier compared the situation to the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was 'a lot of information swirling around, but nothing concrete.' 'You're trying to prepare for something you don't really know how to prepare for because you aren't able to pinpoint it,' she said. As uncertainty mounts, organization leaders said they're doing their best to adapt and address any shortfalls that may come. That includes leaning on local philanthropy, as well as other local municipal funding sources. They also emphasized building up their local partnerships with other area organizations, noting the resiliency of nonprofits after making it through the pandemic. Chenier said Family First Center is trying to be adaptable in the event that federal funding is cut. 'I think of the word 'pivot' a lot,' Chenier said. 'We've tried to learn how to find more revenue in non-traditional ways so that we're not as affected by the government funding cuts.' Snodgrass emphasized the importance of community support to addressing the issues. 'Everybody needs to work together in tandem to understand that any changes are impacting our entire community,' he said. 'It's up to us to come together and find ways to address it.'
Chicago Tribune
01-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan High student tests positive for tuberculosis
A student at the Brookside campus of Waukegan High School was diagnosed with an active case of tuberculosis (TB) last week while the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 community was on spring break. The student is currently isolated from others and undergoing treatment, according to an email from the Lake County Health Department, which notified the district and they are working together to protect the community. District 60 Superintendent Theresa Plascencia said in an email to the school community Friday that students and staff identified as having close contact with the individual were already notified by email and given recommended actions to take. 'As a precaution, the school is undergoing recommended cleaning procedures,' Plasencia said. 'School operations will continue as usual, with continued cleaning and COVID-era air filtration enhancements in place.' TB is a disease spread through the air from person to person by an individual with active — not latent — TB, according to the health department. Symptoms of the disease include coughing, night sweats and weight loss. 'While TB is contagious, it is not spread as easily as other illnesses, such as cold or flu,' the health department said in the email. 'Although TB can be serious, it is a treatable disease. Not everyone infected with TB becomes sick.' Working closely with the health department, Plascencia said people can transmit the disease through speaking, singing or coughing. People with active TB are, 'most likely to spread TB germs to people they spend time with every day.' In her email to the school community, Plascencia said that conditions like a persistent cough lasting three weeks or longer, coughing up blood, pain with breathing, chest pain, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, fever, chills or night sweats are warning signs. A person with those symptoms should get tested. 'Treatment of latent TB can prevent active TB from developing which is why testing when exposed is important,' the health department said. 'We encourage anyone who is contacted by the health department about an exposure to take the necessary steps to get tested.'
