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Knox Co. Health Department Receives Federal Grant

T.J. Carson
Michelle Fishburn says the Knox County Health Department also receives fees from patient services.

The Knox County Health Department was awarded a $1-million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It will help fund the department’s community health center, as well as general and dental health services.

Michelle Fishburn, CEO of the center, said the money will help keep the community health center's doors open.

“We can keep our staffing levels up, we can keep seeing more patients, and, most importantly, we can keep providing behavioral health services,” Fishburn said.

Fishburn said the grant covers around 30% of the entire health department’s budget.

She said the department has seen other benefits recently through grants.

“Over the past year, we’ve received additional funding. One, in the form of more funding to expand our hours into the evening, as well as to add a social worker or some behavioral health services to the department,” Fishburn said.

This is the fourth straight year the health department has received the federal grant.