The Starke County Commissioners and Council both met with the Starke County Community Foundation (SCCF) during their meetings last week to discuss establishing a committee for the Community Wellness Fund Grant.
Starke County Community Foundation Director of Development Jacque Ryan informed both the commissioners and council, the purpose of the fund is to provide support to charitable public health organizations and programs that strengthen and improve community health for the people of Starke County. She stated in an effort to gain insight from various experts in the healthcare field and provide officials with an opportunity to see how the granting process works, SCCF is launching a pilot program where a specific grant committee will be established.
On a quarterly basis, members of this committee will consider grant requests related to health and wellness and help direct SCCF grant dollars to eligible organizations and programs in Starke County. It was noted, each member will be asked to serve for a three-year term. A grant application would be created by NIC and approved by the committee. The application would be reviewed annually.
Recommendations for the committee were named. Starke County Physician Dr. Tom Browne, Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch, Hospital Board representative Marty Lucas, Federally Qualified Health Center representative Melissa Mitchell, Mental Health and Recovery Organization representative Sandy Carlson, Starke County Court representative Judge Kim Hall, Starke County Commissioner Mark Gourley, Starke County Council President Dave Pearman, NICF Executive Director Jay Albright, NICF Marketing Coordinator Hannah Bahney. SCCF Director of Development Jacque Ryan, SCCF Service Committee President Cheryl Orkis and SCCF Service Committee Vice President Lyn Altman with additional representatives to be determined.
No action was taken by either the commissioners or council. They took the information under advisement.
