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Scott County to approve termination of regional 28E and sign new 28E for mental-health advocate services
Summary
Scott County staff told supervisors the Eastern Iowa Mental Health Regions 28E intergovernmental agreement will be dissolved and a new 28E will make Scott County the employer of record for the region's mental health advocate; counties will share reimbursement risk if the ASO does not fully reimburse payroll costs.
Scott County officials told the Board of Supervisors on June 10 that the Eastern Iowa Mental Health Regions 28E intergovernmental agreement will be terminated as the region winds down and that the county will join a new 28E to provide mental-health advocate services.
The county will participate in a closeout period from July 1 through Dec. 31 to pay final bills, finish contracts and transition clients to new providers under a new system alignment. “With this new alignment, new system coming on board, we don't want anyone falling through the cracks,” Laurie said during the meeting, describing coordination with Human Services, the Iowa Primary Care Association and disability access points.
The new 28E will name Greg Burnett as the mental-health advocate with Scott County serving as the employer of record. Staff said Scott County will bill the Administrative Services Organization (ASO) quarterly for Burnett’s salary, benefits and training; if the ASO does not reimburse Scott County in full, the four other participating counties would pay a share based on the number of cases Burnett has in each county. “If a county decides they don't want to sign this 28E, then they will be responsible for hiring their own mental health advocate,” Laurie said.
The county noted that Iowa Code requires appointing and hiring a mental-health advocate to monitor care during commitments; historically the position’s cost had been split among the five counties and at times funded by the state. Laurie said Scott County does not maintain a dedicated mental-health fund and that she repeatedly pushed HHS and the ASO for a definition of “reasonable expenses” for reimbursement. She presented pay and budget figures for 2024–26 and said the ASO responded by email that the county could proceed with the 28E.
A supervisor asked staff to report back if reimbursement from the ASO becomes an issue; staff agreed to keep the board apprised. The termination of the regional 28E and the new 28E agreement were presented for the board’s consideration at a follow-up meeting.
Officials emphasized that the July–Dec. 31 closeout will be used to ensure continuity of care and that they are coordinating across county and state partners to avoid service gaps.
