JACKSON – Much of the agenda for Monday night’s regular Northampton County Board of Commissioners’ meeting was devoted to grants. Representatives from both the county’s Office of Aging and the Cooperative Extension went before the Board for approval of funding from outside agencies.

A public hearing was held in regards to the Home and Community Care Block Grant for the upcoming fiscal year. According to the Office of Aging Director Joslyn Reagor, the grant money goes towards a variety of services provided to the county citizens.

Information provided to the Board stated that funds would be allocated in four different areas: the Health Department, Lake Gaston Retirement Village Foundation, The JW Faison Senior Center, and the Department of Social Services. The money provided by the grant will total $284,150. A ten percent match is required from the recipients.

While the commissioners asked a few questions regarding the Health Department’s home delivered meals program, which will receive funding from this grant, the public had no comments or questions during the hearing.

The Board voted unanimously to approve the grant allocations and services.

Craig Ellison, Director of the county’s Cooperative Extension Program, also went before the Board for approval to receive two different grants from the Vidant Community Benefit Grants Program.

The first grant of $3,000 will go to support the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). This is an educational program that provides information on nutritional improvement to limited resource families with young children, pregnant women and teen parents.

The second grant, consisting of a requested $2,000, will be used for the county’s Diabetes Support Program. The funds will be used for educational classes to teach citizens living with Type 2 diabetes how to manage it, as well as efforts to promote diabetes prevention behaviors in the community.

According to information provided to the Board, last year’s Vidant Grant allowed them to create monthly diabetes support groups in Jackson and Rich Square. In partnership with the Health Department, they plan to establish another group within the county as well.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved receiving both grants.