MARQUETTE — Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti has been awarded a grant for $65,000 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to enhance infectious disease mitigation and prevention efforts.

“This grant will assist us in strengthening infection prevention and control activities to prevent the spread of infection across our home,” said Ron Oja, administrator for MVHDJJ, in a news release. “Social connections are important to our health and well-being and these devices will help us continue to offer opportunities for our members to be social in the safest environment possible.”

With the MDHHS infection control grant, MVHDJJ has contracted with Michigan-based UVSheltron to purchase the following devices to reduce the spread of infection in the facility — eight Pure Air 500, five Pure Air 200 and two Illuminant 3 ultraviolet disinfection towers. The home has also purchased 13 portable isolation stations and three permanent isolation stations to further reduce the risk of staff spreading infection between members.

“Our veteran members enjoy camaraderie while gathering in common areas for coffee, meals and group activities,” said Julie Scott, infectious preventionist for MVHDJJ, in a news release. “Group activities can spread COVID-19 or influenza more easily, thus increasing the risk of infection. These new systems will improve the air quality in common areas, provide an extra layer of disinfection to our surfaces and create a healthier indoor environment for our veteran members.”

The Nursing Home Infection Control grants, funded by the state of Michigan and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds, was appropriated for skilled nursing homes under Section 318 in Public Act 9 of 2022.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill that was signed into law in March 2021 to support a national recovery from COVID-19 and to address the economic recession. ARPA established the $350 billion Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery fund. These funds support state, local, territorial and tribal governments’ response to and recovery from the pandemic.