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Fallon County commissioners approve MOU with Voices of Hope to expand dispatch mental‑health referrals
Summary
The county signed a memorandum of understanding with Voices of Hope to give dispatchers a no‑cost referral option for callers with mental‑health needs; commissioners voted to approve the MOU and asked for a follow‑up meeting with Public Health to set referral protocols.
Fallon County commissioners voted to sign a memorandum of understanding with Voices of Hope, a mental‑health hotline/assistance center, to allow dispatchers to refer callers who do not require police, fire or ambulance response to staff at Voices of Hope for immediate follow‑up and community referrals.
Under the agreement, dispatchers will offer callers the option to be connected directly to Voices of Hope, or to have Voices of Hope contact the caller for follow‑up. Voices of Hope staff described the service as free and statewide in reach; commissioners discussed how the referral should be documented and how dispatch will pass contact information to Public Health and other follow‑up agencies. The commissioners asked dispatch to coordinate with Public Health (Catalyst for Change) to build a follow‑up protocol for callers who need longer‑term support, and to work out privacy and reporting procedures.
The commission moved and approved the MOU; the minutes record that the motion carried with Commissioner Ross absent.
Ending: Staff will follow up with Public Health and report back to the commission on a monthly basis about implementation and a plan for sharing contact information for follow‑up.
