Board of Supervisors updated on shortage of mental health beds

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Tuesday, July 22 the Allamakaee County Board of Supervisors met with Case Management Administrator Kim Waters, who reviewed the agenda of an upcoming meeting of the County Social Services Board. During that discussion, Sheriff Clark Mellick asked Waters about the County's contracts with area hospitals regarding treatment of mental health patients, reporting that the Sheriff's Department has been experiencing increasing difficulty in finding beds for people with mental health issues. Mellick said that his deputies are commonly tied up for hours at the emergency room trying to find suitable placement for people, some of whom are suicidal, have substance abuse issues or both. He said that often the only mental health beds available are in Ames or as far away as Sioux City and that in some cases, suicidal patients are released when beds can't be found for them. Mellick told Waters and the Board that the shortage of mental health beds has been talked about for years but nothing has been done and the problem is getting worse. He suggested that adding a mental health holding facility to the planned public safety center should be considered.
Waters said that the County's contracts with area hospitals do not guarantee that beds will be available; the contracts only the set the payment rates when services are used. She said that the inability to transport patients across state lines in the case of involuntary committals is a large part of the problem, as mental health treatment facilities are located as nearby as La Crosse, WI. She agreed that a mental health holding area at the planned public safety center should be considered.
Waters also informed the Board that a part-time Case Manager has resigned and that the position will not be filled right away since case loads have lessened as a result of "health homes."
The Board also met with County Engineer Brian Ridenour, who asked the Board to set a date for the opening of bids for the replacement and repair of several culverts in the New Albin Area. The Board set Tuesday, August 12 at 10 a.m. as the date and time to open the bids. Ridenour also presented the Board with plans and specifications for an emergency generator to serve the Makee Manor radio tower. The Board approved the plans and Ridenour said that he would accept competitive quotes on the project until August 14.
In other business, the Board accepted and placed on file quarterly reports from the Relief Office and Veterans Affairs. The Board also signed the final loan documents for the funding of a new fire station for the Waukon Area Fire Protection District and met with County Attorney Jill Kistler to review the County's Code of Ordinances.