St. Joseph County Health Department announces staff and programming cuts amid funding turmoil

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The St. Joseph County Health Department announced Tuesday that because of a loss of grant and “Health First Indiana” funding for public health, they would be laying off some staff members and shrinking programming.

A source within the health department says around 10 people have been laid off since Friday.

The county’s HFI budget decreased from $6.2 million to $1.7 million, just as the state saw an overall reduction in HFI budget from $150 million to $40 million for 2026-2027.

Programming cuts include delays in food and septic inspection alongside immunization services.

The immunization clinic at the Mishawaka County-Services building is officially shut down as of Monday, and the vital records office will close on June 20th.

County residents can still get immunizations and vaccines but will now have to schedule them for the County-City Building in downtown South Bend.

The health department says it will push on and continue to serve the community as best it can amid these funding cuts.

More information about the department's services can be found here.