~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County board of supervisors at its meeting on Sept. 30 heard information from Central Iowa Community Services (CICS) operations officer representative Megan Freie about changes in service delivery of mental health services for this region. Freie attended the meeting electronically.
Freie spoke about recent state-mandated changes in regions. Freie said CICS is making application to the state to be the behavioral health administrative service organization that serves the newly revised behavioral health service districts. Currently the divisions of area are called regions.
“CICS covers about four districts on the map,” Freie said. “We’ve been asked to cover three of the districts.”
According to Freie, the State has divided up various services such as those for mental health and for substance issues and has asked for proposals from interested agencies. CICS is currently providing the range of services for this region.
“We will be told (which agencies) have been chosen by Dec. 30,” Freie said. She said CICS is applying for District 5, which includes Greene County.
CICS has been delivering mental health services to Greene County for several years.
Freie said state plans for the changes have not been explained but it appears the agencies to be chosen will be involved in deciding whatever services are offered.
“There is no start-up money earmarked for the work, but services are scheduled to be delivered beginning Jan. 1, 2025. There will be a transition period until July 1, 2025.” Freie said.
The supervisors expressed exasperation at the unsettled nature of the changes made by the state in delivery service and programs used by residents of the county.
“The state wants to streamline service delivery and be cost-effective,” Freie said.
Supervisor Dan Benitz expressed confusion about so many recent changes in regions, districts, and areas and asked about the role of New Opportunities in providing services. Benitz is the supervisors’ representative on the New Opportunities board.
Rudolph explained the two agencies are separate. Freie said New Opportunities is also applying to be chosen the behavioral health administrative service organization for the district.
Muir said, “In the beginning, mental health services were county-based. Then we went to regions because the State thought that would be a great move. And now, we’re changing that again?”
Freie agreed this was the history. She said there will be services for Greene County residents, but the State has not yet decided if CICS will be the agency chosen to deliver the services.
“So, New Opportunities is bidding against you for that?” Muir asked, and Freie said that was her understanding at this time.
“How far does the county have a voice in our choice (for service providers)?” Muir asked. “Any choice?”
Freie appeared hesitant to comment and Muir continued emphatically, “We’re very happy with CICS’ service and performance. I don’t think anybody sitting at this table sees a reason to have to change, for what that’s worth.”
“It means a lot to me,” Freie said. “I hope we get to continue to do the work. As far as the county’s voice, we can submit three letters of support (with our application) per district, and I believe we’ve submitted the three that are allowed already.”
Freie said the Department of Human Services will be grading the proposals submitted by agencies.
Supervisor Rudolph said she has been informally told the county has a good chance of keeping CICS services because of the past performance of the agency in the county and history of reliable work.
Rudolph said she thinks some counties in the region could “get the short end of the stick,” and see less services or services of lesser quality.
Sheriff Jack Williams expressed satisfaction with the services from CICS, but also asked about the limitations of the tele-health part of the services, especially when a person expresses suicidal thoughts.
Freie said she will discuss the tele-health services with others at CICS.
Muir said, “Sometimes decisions the State makes only make sense to the State.”
In other business, supervisor Rudolph reported a new director of public health will replace Becky Wolf, who is retiring at the end of the year. She said the hospital board of health chose Shelby Cooklin, who has worked with public health for two years to fill the position. Kirkland will start working with Wolf on Monday through the transition.
Muir reported he, Rudolph, and auditor Billie Jo Hoskins met with the media on Thursday to request articles be written to inform the public about the change of wording in a resolution that would allow LOSST funds to be used for “any lawful purpose” instead of the current wording which only allows funds to be used for “property tax relief.”
The issue has been discussed over the past year and has been confusing for voters to understand due to the way it must be stated on the ballot. The question was not passed at a previous election.
Rudolph said, “The way it’s stated on the ballot seems like the exact opposite of what it actually means. So hopefully people will have a better idea of it (after reading news articles before the election.)”
Voters in the unincorporated areas of the county will have the question on their ballot at the Nov. 5 general election.
The supervisors approved hiring Kristal Morales as a part-time jailer with the sheriff’s office effective Oct. 1, at a starting wage of $19/hour, with an increase to $20/hour when she becomes certified.
The supervisors also approved hiring Kelsey Hatfield as a fulltime jailer effective Oct. 1, at a starting annual salary of $47,000, with an increase to $48,000 after certification.
The supervisors approved an interfund loan not to exceed $400,000 from the general basic fund to the capital projects fund to cover certain preconstruction costs of the new jail.
