The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce grant awards totaling $135,000 to support the launch of a new Community Paramedicine Program designed to provide non-emergency preventative treatment with proactive care and reduce nonemergency 911 calls. Elder Care Services in DeKalb County received a multi-year grant award totaling $45,000, and the City of DeKalb Fire Department received $90,000 to help fund a specially equipped response vehicle and related equipment. The goal is to proactively address needs in the community before they become emergencies and to reduce nonemergency 911 calls.

Funding for these grants is provided by the Howard and Mildred Eychaner Fund at the Community Foundation, dedicated to supporting health care and affordable housing initiatives in DeKalb Township.

“We’re deeply grateful for the generous support that’s strengthening our Community Paramedicine Program. It allows us to provide compassionate, personalized care to vulnerable seniors, supporting their independence and overall well-being,” said Tara Russo, Executive Director of Elder Care Services.

This innovative program is a collaborative effort between Elder Care Services and the City of DeKalb Fire Department to address the increasing number of nonemergency 911 calls from community members within the DeKalb Fire Department service area. The program includes a system to assess caller needs, provide follow-up care, and connect individuals to local partner agencies that can assist with long-term support. The new response vehicle and equipment funded through this grant have been purchased and are ready for use.

“We truly appreciate the support of the Community Foundation and the Eychaner family as we enhance the Fire Department’s ability to expand our community paramedicine program and better serve DeKalb and the surrounding communities,” said Acting Fire Chief Luke Howieson. “This grant allows the department to collaborate with community partners to connect patients with the appropriate resources, which helps reduce reliance on the 911 emergency system. The program has already shown meaningful results. In one case, we were able to connect a patient with the right services and reduce 911 calls from 73 in one year to zero. We have experienced similar successes through this program and look forward to continuing to grow this service in partnership with Elder Care Services.”

This grant is part of the community engagement work of the Community Foundation, a Board-directed effort aimed at creating lasting, positive change in DeKalb County. Through community engagement, the Foundation strategically allocates resources to address critical challenges and supports forward-thinking solutions that enhance the well-being of residents.

“Community paramedicine is an innovative and evolving model that brings primary and preventive care directly into people’s homes, said Jolene Willis, Grants & Community Initiatives Director at the Community Foundation. “We’re proud to support Elder Care Services and the City of DeKalb Fire Department as they work together to address nonemergency needs. Their partnership connects residents with local nonprofits and support agencies, improving quality of life and ensuring that people receive the right care at the right time.”

For more information about the Community Paramedicine Program, contact Colleen Parks, Clinical Director at Elder Care Services in DeKalb County, at cparks@ecsdekalb.org, or Luke Howieson, City of DeKalb Acting Fire Chief, at luke.howieson@cityofdekalb.com.

For more information about proactive grant opportunities at the Community Foundation, contact Jolene Willis at j.willis@dekalbccf.org, or 815-748-5383.