Will County has approved $30 million of pandemic relief funds for health-related initiatives.

The county’s Executive Committee Thursday allocated $4 million for food stabilization programs, such as food banks, food pantries and mobile food services, and $2.5 million on violence prevention programs.

The committee, which is in charge of the pandemic funds, also allocated $12 million for behavioral health programs, which includes programs for mental health and substance use treatment and prevention, as well as $3.6 million on general health initiatives.

The county continues to work with consulting firm Anser Advisory to manage about $133.97 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds it received through the American Rescue Plan Act. Anser Advisory will be paid up to $1.5 million over two years.

Last month, the Executive Committee approved about $7.8 million for its health department to begin programs, bolster staffing and improve technology, bringing the grand total up to $30 million to spend on health-related initiatives.

Board Speaker Mimi Cowan, a Democrat from Naperville, said the allocations are fluid and the county can adjust how much it allocates in each category based on how many requests it receives. Requests for funds may fit multiple categories as well, she said.

“The idea is that we are getting this out there as broad categories, so that we are throwing a wide net so we are not cutting anyone out or leaving anyone behind,” Cowan said. “Once we get the data in of who’s interested in this money, then we can look at it more closely with the understanding that we’ve already put some prioritization in place for this.”

Cowan said the consulting firm and the county’s executive office and board will advertise that the federal funds are available, and the county board will email those nonprofit agencies who have already inquire about them.

County board member Rachel Ventura, a Democrat from Joliet and chair of the Public Health and Safety Committee, said the funds are meant to stabilize the economy and ensure people are getting help they need post COVID-19.

“It needs to help the most people necessary,” Ventura said. “Is there an organization that is helping 100,000 people, 10,000 people, 100 people, whatever.”

The grants are competitive, so the committee will have oversight and will approve them before money is distributed, Ventura said.

If the requests exceed available funding, officials will convene a group with input from the health department to help decide who gets approved, Cowan said.

The Executive Committee will next consider how to allocate funds to support economic development.

The committee has previously allocated funds to townships, fire protection, park and library districts, special recreation associations and public safety entities.

Federal guidelines say that all funds must be obligated by December 2024 and spent by December 2026.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter.