Hunterdon County Health Department to receive $404,635 LINCS Public Health Preparedness grant
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – The Hunterdon County Commissioners Board recently approved the County Health Department’s application for renewal of the LINCS Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant, in the amount of $404,635, for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
The Health Department has received this Public Health Preparedness grant since 2003.
After the events on September 11th and the Anthrax Attacks of 2001, the New Jersey Department of Health designated County Health agencies as the lead public health preparedness entity for the County. Grant funds are utilized to identify and respond to public health emergencies, purchase equipment and offset staff salaries in the Preparedness Division.
Commissioner and liaison to the Health Department, Shaun Van Doren said, “The existence of the public health preparedness infrastructure at the Health Department was critical during the COVID response. To date, there has been a significant decrease in COVID cases in our county, due to the widespread availability of testing, vaccines, and the tireless work of our health personnel. We are grateful to the Division of Public Health Nursing, along with the Division of Public Health Preparedness, as they continue to support both residents and facilities alike in responding to public health emergencies.”
Grant funds received for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness program, help to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies. The grant deliverables focus on volunteer management, emergency public information and warning, information sharing, mass care and sheltering, medical countermeasure dispensing, medical material management and distribution, public health surveillance and epidemiologic investigation.
Director and Health Officer for the Hunterdon County Health Department, Karen DeMarco said, “With the expiration of the public health emergency order on May 11th, we have reached a significant milestone in our recovery from the pandemic. Health personnel have not only lived through a historic public health event, but have shaped, and helped control it. Thank you to all who assist in the research, testing, and education for the public, to help control the spread of illness. Additionally, thank you to the County Commissioners and administration for their continued support of the Health Department during the public health emergency.”
