LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Allen County Public Health Commissioner Brandon Fischer says that federal funding at their department is sitting better now than just a month ago, but it's still day to day.
He says that funding has been delayed and is coming in slowly, if at all. Fischer adds that it's becoming difficult to plan ahead as purchase orders are unable to be filled without the money, and the funding cuts has forced them to let go of several staff members. He hopes the future will be better than the past few months.
"Back in March, we received notice that a grant that was going to provide us about $250,000 to half a million dollars in funding for infrastructure improvements and personnel coverage, that was canceled," said Fischer. "We found that out the day after the cancelation took place, so we had projects in place, ready to go, and had to pivot off of that."
In an effort to watch expenditures the department is consolidating working spaces. The Women, Infant, Child program known as WIC will be moving back into the health department. They are currently located on Allentown Road and will be closed from Friday, July 25th through the 31st to make the move. They will reopen on August 1st.
"We will not be able to provide many services in that period of time, but will be open on August 1 for card reloads and to see clients again," said Fischer.
Fischer says that being all under one roof again will allow clients to access more of their programs.
