| Fund cuts hit WIC program |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by MICHELLE REITER Sentinel Staff Writer | |
| Saturday, 16 June 2012 07:32 | |
The changes took effect this month and are the result of an expected $26,000 shortfall in WIC's federal grant funding for the 2013 fiscal year, said Benjamin Batey, the health department's director of nursing. The WIC program operates with federal money distributed through the state. He said at Thursday night's board meeting that Bradner clients can return to the health department's main Bowling Green office for services, but the cuts were necessary to weather the funding loss. "It could even be more than that," Batey said of the shortfall. Batey said WIC will try to help clients who need help getting to the Bowling Green office. Expecting the cuts, the WIC office also recently made a full-time staff position into a part-time position, and will wait to see what the final shortfall is before making any more decisions. The board announced that it received $30,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds this year despite the stiff competition for limited funding, and expects Poggemeyer Design Group, a Bowling Green engineering firm, to distribute the funds. Pat Snyder, the health department's spokesperson, said the money is to be used to improve the septic systems of homes and small villages along the Portage River to reduce water pollution. "When a septic system isn't working properly, it can cause illness in people, along with algae bloom and e coli," Snyder said. Now, some of those damaged systems are leaking pollutants into the Portage River, which runs into Lake Erie. The money will be used for target problem areas along the river, she said, and Poggemeyer will decide which ones they are. Separately, Health Commissioner Pamela Butler said the health department's solid and infectious waste program recently passed an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency inspection "with flying colors," and commended Brad Espen, the environmental director, for his work with the program. |
Front Page Stories
| BG redistricting lines blurred 05/22/2013 | MARIE THOMAS BAIRD Sentinel Education Editor 
A map shows the proposed boundaries for the 2013-2014 school year. |
North Baltimore residents protest removal of 125 trees 05/22/2013 | JORDAN CRAVENS Sentinel Staff Writer  NORTH BALTIMORE - A group of village residents are concerned their utility bills will [ ... ] | Other Front Page Articles | ||
