Sedgwick County OKs state grant for infant mortality programs

Sedgwick County will accept a state grant to support programs meant to combat infant mortality.

The money goes toward the county health department’s Healthy Babies program and Healthy Families American Program at the Kansas Children’s Service League. Wednesday’s vote by the Sedgwick County Commission, which was unanimous, was to pursue the third of three one-year renewals for a $915,295 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Adrienne Byrne-Lutz, director of the Sedgwick County Health Department, said the grant pays for part or all of 10 positions at Healthy Babies.

Last summer, the commission cut the Healthy Babies program by $77,562, or one full-time position.

On Wednesday, Jim Howell, chairman of the commission, voiced concerns similar to those he voiced last summer, when he voted in favor of the cut. His concerns stem from the program’s design to target more resources into a smaller population of at-risk mothers.

“I would like to see lesser effort on a larger audience,” Howell said.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Sedgwick County OKs state grant for infant mortality programs."