Health Department grant comes under scrutiny, criticism

When the Lincoln County Health Department in March secured the $436,000 federal grant for the Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, Nurse Micki Carvey immediately saw the huge benefits.

“Oh, my gosh,” Carvey said. “The need in the county is incredible.”

After securing the grant and commissioners approved it, Carvey began the process of getting the program off the ground.

There were people to hire and equipment to buy. In the process, 96 children in Libby, Troy and Eureka have been identified as clients to receive benefits of the program that aids infants, children and their parents.

Along the way, commissioners, who split their approval vote, have become critics of the program as too costly and not helping enough children.

“We have figures that say 73 percent of Lincoln County residents don’t want people in their homes,” Commissioner Ron Downey said. “So, if they’re not getting in the home, how many people are they really helping anyway?” Downey said.

Carvey acknowledged some of the people who administer the program did have difficulties initially in getting into homes, but that has changed.

“We did have some problems early, but you build trust,” Carvey said. “We were going into some homes where I suspect drugs are used. Once they realize you’re not going to turn them in, you gain their trust. We know we’re making a difference.”

The one-year federal grant sunsets this summer and Carvey must reapply to continue the program. However, even if the grant is received, it may not get the approval of the commissioners.

“I just don’t see they’re reaching that many people,” said Downey, who voted to accept the grant but now admits he will not vote favorably on subsequent grants.

“I’m not convinced. I think the administrative costs were too high, among other things,” Downey said. “Everyone has a vote they regret. This one is mine.”