Commission appoints temporary community health worker; Catalyst for Change program expands local mental‑health outreach
Summary
The commission unanimously approved hiring Alyssa Miller as a temporary community health worker; Catalyst for Change reported 30 clients and scheduled QPR training for school staff as it coordinates with county staff on grant timing and program expansion.
The commission voted unanimously to hire Alyssa Miller as a temporary community health worker for an orientation on Aug. 1 and training to begin Aug. 4; the position is expected to run until about Nov. 18. The motion to hire was made and carried on voice vote with no recorded dissent.
Catalyst for Change staff and county commissioners reviewed an update on local behavioral‑health work. Catalyst staff reported about 30 clients on the CHW caseload (some inactive over summer) with most activity in social services, Medicaid and SNAP application assistance. Staff described newly scheduled QPR (Question‑Persuade‑Refer) suicide‑prevention training for school staff and teachers and plans to pursue youth mental‑health first‑aid training later. Commissioners emphasized the need for CHW access to timely state and federal policy updates (for example SNAP or Medicaid changes) and affirmed Catalyst will coordinate with state contacts to ensure CHWs receive training on policy changes that affect clients.
Catalyst leadership discussed grant timing: the county previously accepted ARPA or local funds for earlier months; the Catalyst executive explained legal and accounting steps to prioritize newly awarded state two‑year grants (HB 872) while treating the county’s prior payment as a credit for the county’s share. Commissioners asked county counsel and Catalyst to draft an amendment so the county’s earlier funding sits as a credit while the state grant funds the program going forward; staff will present suggested contract language for formal action.
Ending: County staff and Catalyst agreed to prepare a written amendment or memo documenting how prior county payments will be applied as credit against the state two‑year grant period, and Catalyst will provide commissioners a February annual report on program outcomes and metrics.
