WARSAW — The CARES unit, which serves Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory and provides an array of services, could expand to serve all of Kosciusko County if officials are successful in receiving a $3 million grant.

The money would cover all costs for five years and is being made available through the Make Indiana Healthy Again program in coordination with the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Officials say additional money would allow them to increase staffing beyond the two current employees.

The city of Warsaw and WWFT invited county officials to consider the opportunity CARES, which is formally known as Community Assistance, Resources and Emergency Services. 

Officials credit Lisa Harman, president and CEO at Live Well Kosciusko, for initiating the grant discussion.

Warsaw Police Captain Joel Beam says working together makes sense since the CARES unit already receives many calls from throughout the county.

“This program is based on mental health and preventative health care and is right up the line of what CARES does … it fits perfectly with their mission,” Beam said.

The federal effort began under the Trump administration and is still relatively new, which means the number of communities seeking money is likely still low, perhaps increasing the chances of the WWFT grant application could be successful.

“This would enable the program to thrive and continue,” Beam said recently.

No decisions have been made, but Sheriff Jim Smith said he's excited about the opportunity.

The grant program is intended to serve programs that seek to expand.

"What better way to expand it than into the county," Smith said.

If officials receive the grant, the county would have to approve and enter into a mutual agreement with the city.

CARES works with people on an array of issues, including mental health, and substance abuse and was established about six years ago.

One concern about relying on grant money in general is the future of those services if and when the grant money is exhausted. County leaders are often leery of relying on grant money for programs for fear the county would eventually have to cover future long-term costs.

CARES has an office at The Gathering Place in downtown Warsaw, but officials were hesitant to say whether expansion of the program could entail opening a second office somewhere outside of the city.

"If the grant is approved, we're going to have to go through those conversations and see what it might look like," Smith said. "But it's fully funded. You know, for five years, you're talking over $3 million, so we'd be foolish not to at least entertain it."

Officials will know within weeks whether they receive the grant. 

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