Part 2 of 2
Wright County and CSS are continually evolving and finding the most effective ways to help people with mental health issues, developmental disability services, substance abuse treatment, and general assistance for eligible persons. That is why they are always setting goals for the future.
One main issue, according to Lincoln, is the development of a minimum of six access centers – a point of entry for a person with psychiatric need or someone who is in contact with law enforcement – a facility to help them within reasonable driving distances of any law enforcement center.
“Our goal is to reduce our reliance on jails and civil commits to get people the help they need…instead, they will be taken directly to a help facility,” said Lincoln.
“If we can take the burden off of the Sheriff’s Department, it’s a start to solving a problem,” added Helgevold.
One of the main drives for this is that many law enforcement agencies are having to travel six to eight hours and then sit in a hospital for additional time, waiting for the patient to get a psychiatric bed. The plan is to put that in the hands of the access centers instead.
The next component CSS is focusing on getting up and running are mobile crisis facilitators. A system is being set up for Wright County through Berryhill and should be up and running sometime this August, according to Lincoln. That means when someone calls the Your Life Iowa hotline (855-581-8111), if the operator determines the caller would benefit from a face-to-face conversation, they can dispatch Berryhill staff.
“We are a safety net. What our team is good at is working with and keeping people connected with Medicaid and other insurance companies while getting their needs met,” said Lincoln.
The biggest thing left on the CSS wish list is a psychiatric clinic. There was one available, but closed 15 years ago according to Lincoln.
“It really left a need in our community,” he said.
There is a need to provide in-patient services while keeping them closer to home, including medication management for people struggling with serious mental health issues.
“We’ve explored different partnerships and locations, but if we don’t see an opportunity, we are close to putting a formal proposal/request together to make sure we’re not overlooking any business/provider opportunity…the only thing that makes the service work is connections to other services,” said Lincoln.
Helgevold said that both current, and forthcoming services, are for anyone in Wright County who needs help.
“We don’t turn anyone away and we have resources to help them if they need help,” said Helgevold. “We could never do that if it was just Wright County offering and funding the services…people also don’t realize that there are providers right here in Eagle Grove and Clarion.”
There is one supervisor for each of the 22 counties that are in our CSS region. Helgevold has represented Wright County on this board for the last eight years.
“At end of day we need to work for the people that need our service,” he said.
Sheehan added, “We all know the need for mental health services and the great thing for us in Wright County is that Karl is not afraid to ask questions at the meeting. CSS have truly done what they can to expand service. As an employee, I believe that’s important because I feel supported, and as a resident, it’s good to know they are trying to bring as many services as possible to Wright County because they know mental health is so important.”
Wright County is now serving 60 critical access counties throughout the state through telehealth partners – including access to services at Clarion and Belmond. Anyone can go to either emergency department and receive access to providers for mental health.
Lincoln is proud to announce that CSS will be also be expanding their services to include children come July 1 of this year.
“I’m grateful that we’re finally putting the focus on the young people,” he said.
“None of that would be available if we were just our own county supporting just us. No way we could afford all those services,” said Helgevold. “People don’t realize all the things that are available. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind if you don’t need it. The region has worked out well. This helps our people by giving us access to more dollars, a great expanded staff, more services…I didn’t even know all the things that were involved before I come on the board in 2010.”
If you are someone who is struggling with mental health, now or in the future, you are encouraged to call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 855-581-8111 or use a text line at 855-895-8398. There is also a 24/7 support line available to address basic needs for those who are struggling with rent, food, etc., by calling 855-266-1257. For additional information, visit countysocialservices.org.
