Introduction

Health First Indiana is an initiative created by Senate Enrolled Act 4, legislation passed by the 2023 Indiana General Assembly that transforms public health. The legislation provides funding so counties can determine the health needs of their community and implement evidence-based programs focused on prevention. Health First Indiana establishes a public health infrastructure through a state and local partnership where services are delivered at the county level. Counties decide whether to opt-in to the new funding and providing the core public health services, including trauma and injury prevention, chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health and more.

Scorecard

Click HERE and select Putnam County to view health scorecard.

Funded Amounts

2024 - $371,696.16

Core Services

Tobacco and Vaping Prevention and Cessation

Putnam County has a smoking rate of 22.9% compared to the state average of 21.0%.

• KPI: Increase promotion of tobacco and addictive nicotine prevention and cessation programs and services by one activity.
• KPI: Build programs based on individual school needs.

Chronic Disease Prevention and Cessation

Putnam County has  an obesity rate of 34% compared to the state average of 35%.  A key step in addressing chronic disease and obesity prevention is building and maintaining a health community coalition that represents the whole community.

• KPI: Engage in services that prevent and reduce obesity and obesity-related diseases through membership in Putnam County 360 Coalition.

Trauma and Injury Prevention

Putnam County has a suicide rate of 23.4 compared to the state average of 17.2. The years of potential life lost due to injury rate in Putnam County is 2718.7 compared to the state average of 2527.14. Identifying a leading cause of injury allows effective planning and prevention of injuries and potential deaths.

• KPI: Identify local agencies that have existing trauma and injury prevention programs.

Fatality Review

Putnam County’s infant mortality rate is 6.09 deaths per 1,000 live births. Understanding causes of child mortality helps drive education and action to prevent deaths.

• KPI: Work with regional fatality review teams and invite relevant stakeholders.

Maternal and Child Health

Indiana ranks 41st in infant mortality, which is the death of an infant before the first birthday: in 2021, Indiana’s infant mortality rate was 6.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to the national rate of 5.4 deaths.  Understanding causes of infant mortality helps drive education and action to prevent these deaths.

• KPI: Review vital records to identify disparities in birth and death outcomes.

Food Protection

• Indiana has 240 food inspectors responsible for inspecting over 32,000 retail food establishments statewide.  The risk-based food inspection method is a data-informed best practice for conducting timely routine inspections based on menu type, facility history and follow-up inspections for any complaints or issues.

Vital Records

• In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly passed HEA 1457, which will allow a local health officer to issue a birth, death, or stillbirth certificate from the electronic registration system regardless of the location of the filing of the record.  Planning is underway to implement this legislation statewide by Jan. 1, 2025.  Natural disasters, such as floods and tornadoes, can damage or destroy vital records documents that Hoosiers need for identification.  Adopting an emergency action plan in each county will ensure Vital Records services are available during a disaster.

Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Case Management

• An estimated 13 million people in the U.S. have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Without treatment, one in 10 people living with LTBI will get sick with TB disease.  Eliminating TB in the US requires expanding testing and treatment of LTBI.  Testing for TB infection should be a routine and integral part of health care for patients with increased risk for TB.  Each patient needs appropriate health care, treatment, and support services to reduce the spread of infection and development of drug resistance.

HFI Grant Program Application

Purpose

Health First Indiana (HFI) and Putnam County Health Department’s goal is to ensure that every resident has access to core public health services that allow them to achieve optimal health and wellbeing. This funding will bridge gaps and support local programs that provide core public health services to Putnam County residents. The HFI initiative allows Putnam County Health Department to award annual contracts or establish a grant to organizations who will provide core public health service delivery.

Grant Opportunity

The Putnam County Health Department is accepting applications for funding in the form of grants or contracts that will improve health and wellbeing of Putnam County residents. These opportunities for applications will be evaluated by Putnam County Health Department. The Indiana Department of Health and Putnam County Health Department have set core public health service areas, key performance indicators (KPIs) and measurable metrics for activities that applicants must achieve. This information can be found on the Putnam County Health Department website at https://www.in.gov/localhealth/putnamcounty/.

Requirements

• Application must be a maximum of 750 words
• Include name of organization and brief overview of your mission
• Include which core public health service(s) you will address
• Provide point of contact (name, address, phone number, email address)
• Describe proposed project(s) and how they will meet KPIs and measurable metrics (outline here).
  1. Target population
  2. The core public service, KPI and measurable metric addressed.
  3. Service provided to target population.
  4. Projected implementation process and timeline
  5. Describe program staff, their qualifications and their responsibilities for the proposed project
  6. A budget and justification that reflects specific line items (salary, materials, supplies, advertising)
  7. How will this program be evaluated and provide outcome measures
  8. A sustainability assessment explaining how efforts will be sustained if/when funding ceases
  9. Other affiliations or partners you will be working on this project with – additional considerations will be given to those who collaborate.