Health First Allen County public health grant funding awarded
For immediate release
Fort Wayne (Nov. 6, 2026) – The Allen County Department of Health is continuing efforts to promote and protect public health, partnering again with local organizations dedicated to improving lives and keeping residents healthy.
Today, we announce $835,000 in public health grant funding for 2027 to 13 organizations through Health First Allen County – an initiative launched in 2023 to ensure a strong and stable platform to deliver Core Public Health Services prescribed by state law. The Health Department has provided nearly $6.7 million to partner organizations since 2024, the first year of the public health grant program.
“We can’t say enough about our partners,” Department of Health Administrator Mindy Waldron said. “They’re dedicated, creative, willing and able to find ways to provide needed programs and services for some of our most vulnerable Allen County residents. We’re so thankful for their work.”
Grant awards will go to organizations working in seven Core Public Heath Service areas: Maternal & Child Health; Trauma & Injury Prevention & Education; Access & Linkage/Referrals to Clinical Care; Chronic Disease Prevention & Reduction; Student Health; Child & Adult Immunizations; and Fatality Review & Prevention.
“We simply wouldn’t be able to reach as many people without this grant program and these partners,” Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Gutwein said. “It’s nice to have a team moving forward, stepping up to help where help is needed.”
A list of grant award winners and descriptions of Core Public Health Service area programming can be found at allencountyhealth.com/health-first-allen-county.
The Department of Health continues to provide a number of essential services, including immunizations and communicable disease testing and prevention, food inspection and other consumer protection programs, vector and pollution control and abatement, and keeping and providing vital records such as birth and death certificates.
Health First Allen County was established following intensive study of the state’s public health delivery system, which resulted in Health First Indiana funding and service delivery initiatives. Indiana lawmakers and Allen County officials approved new funding for local health departments across the state to make improvements, including providing or working with partners to provide Core Public Health Services.
Health First Indiana funding in 2025 was cut significantly for local health departments for 2026 and 2027. As a result, the Health First Allen County public health grant program underwent changes to accommodate reduced resources, though it and the Department of Health remain committed to meeting Core Public Health Services required by state law.
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