Additional ARPA Forums & Survey Extension
We continue to engage with the community to help us identify our spending priorities for for some of the $127.6 million dollars we received in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. In fact, we received requests to hold additional community forums at:
As a result, we extended the deadline for the priorities and ideas survey to Friday, July 1. The deadline to submit funding proposal requests is Friday, July 15. Visit our website for additional information on our community engagement efforts.
First Steps Kent Hiring New President
First Steps Kent is seeking a systems thinker and collaborative leader, who helps to inspire, and serves as the face of the organization to external partners, legislators, families, donors, and the general public. Additionally, this person will lead, convene, and collaborate with early childhood programs in West Michigan to ensure that initiatives for expectant parents and children from birth through five remain a top priority. If you or someone you know may be interested in this position, you can find the application link here.
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Facilities CIP Projects
(Linda Rensland, Facilities Management)
The new Kent County Parks Office facility will be completed in July of 2022. This office will be located on Butterworth Ave just past the existing office and Parks warehouse facility. This over 7,000 sq. ft. facility replaces modular offices that have been used by Parks staff for more than over 15 years. This project commenced at a challenging time with respect to construction material availability – which contributed to a longer construction time-frame, but it is already showing itself to have been well worth the wait!
North County Campus Project – will consist of our new Sheriff’s North Sub-Station, and the new North County Health Clinic. Site utility infrastructure (water, sewer and storm water detention) has been completed. A short pause in construction took place late winter to allow the supply-chain to catch up on primary long-lead building materials (i.e. steel beams and columns, roofing materials, etc.), but the steel erection, metal decking and building underground electrical and plumbing are now being constructed and progressing. Later this month, our general contractor will continue work on the exterior envelope with exterior framing, walls, insulation, and brick veneer. When completed in the Spring of 2023, the 30,000 sq. ft. facility will be of great service to our northern community.
Our Fleet Services Replacement will be located on the County’s Fuller Campus. Materials continue to be procured, but have long lead times due to supply-chain challenges. To allow all materials to be available for the project sequencing, construction commencement will be just after Labor Day with completion in early Summer of 2023. This facility replaces an outdated and under-sized Fleet facility with an appropriately sized facility to properly service the County fleet.
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Quality Service Employee of the Quarter
(Darius Quinn, Human Resources)
Congratulations to Iyana Goodson, corrections officer from the Kent County Sheriff's Office, for being selected as our Quality Service Employee of the Quarter! The individual who nominated Iyana wrote:
"Iyana is always helpful and courteous when asked about specific inmates who are in COVID isolation. COVID-19 has certainly made getting some inmates out to court a frustrating project, but Iyana with her quick and helpful answers is always right there to help. Iyana is a great asset to the jail and classification in particular. Even when COVID-19 numbers were at the worst in the jail, I could still count on Iyana to answer all my questions about inmates in isolation. I appreciate her help immensely!"
Please join us in congratulating Iyana for this accomplishment. Learn more about Iyana and the Employee Recognition Program here.
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Health Department Offers Free Testing and Other Activities in Grand Rapids Parks in Recognition of National HIV Testing Day
(Steve Kelso, Health Department)
In honor of National HIV Testing Day, the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is partnering with community organizations to offer “Wellness in the Park” at three parks in Grand Rapids. The KCHD will provide free HIV and STD testing and several other self-care related services including access to health care information and resources, outdoor games and activities, and free snacks and drinks. The Wellness in the Park events will occur at the following locations and times:
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Martin Luther King Jr. Park 1200 Franklin St SE, Grand Rapids Monday June 27, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
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Heartside Park 301 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids Wednesday, June 29, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
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Garfield Park 250 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids Thursday, June 30, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Learn more here.
Health Department Receives Two Public Health Awards
(Adam London, Health Department)
Congratulations to the Health Department team! At the Michigan Premier Public Health Conference, the Department received the Community Achievement Award for the work that was done to make COVID testing easily available to students and families at some school districts which otherwise would have struggled with access. They also received a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director’s Award for the totality of work they did during the COVID pandemic.
KCHD Offering COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under 5
(Steve Kelso, Health Department)
The Kent County Health Department is now taking appointments for COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of five. They will be providing both the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines at all clinic locations. Call (616) 632-7200 to make your appointment.
Be on the lookout for calendar invites to the next round of quadrant meetings with our local units of government!
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