INGHAM COUNTY - According to a press release issued today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has allocated $4.25 million in grant funding for Ingham County, Michigan through the American Rescue Plan.

Statewide, more than $120 million will be distributed to 39 health centers across Michigan.

The grants will go towards expanding COVID-19 vaccine distribution, testing, treatment and primary health services for local residents. The press release said U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan, which provided more than $20 billion for vaccine distribution nationwide in addition to $47.8 billion for testing, contact tracing and mitigation.

“Grant funds are making it possible for us to hire additional temporary staff and will support ongoing pandemic response efforts,” Public Information Officer/Health Communication Specialist for Ingham County Health Department Amanda Darche said.

In response to the announcement from HHS, Slotkin said the community health centers in Ingham County have been the first line of defense during the pandemic, and that they need these resources to continue to provide the essential care and treatment Michiganders depend on.

“Not only will this funding help ensure the viability of these healthcare providers, but it also means we’ll get more vaccines into peoples’ arms and expand our testing capabilities so we can finally defeat this virus,” Slotkin said.

“I’m thrilled that the American Rescue Plan is providing such important funding for health centers across Ingham County,” Slotkin said. “Passing this law was an essential step in ending the pandemic, and the funding it provides here will give our medical professionals on the ground the tools they need to save lives and help get us back to normal.”