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Clay County commissioners approve letter supporting Maui Counseling’s outpatient substance-use licensure
Summary
County commissioners voted to send a nonbinding letter of support to help Maui Counseling pursue licensure to provide outpatient substance use disorder services, citing unmet needs among immigrant and refugee communities and no anticipated county cost for the letter.
The Clay County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize a letter of support for Maui Counseling to pursue licensure to provide outpatient substance use disorder services in the county.
County social services staff told commissioners the letter would not obligate county funds and is intended to help the applicant obtain state licensing for outpatient treatment. Social services recommended the letter as “a step toward building a more inclusive and responsive behavioral health system,” noting gaps in access to providers who can serve Somali, Kurdish, Swahili and Arabic speakers.
“We continue to see a growing need for accessible culturally responsive substance use disorder service treatment services in Clay County,” Social Services staff said during the meeting, adding that Maui Counseling is being developed as a separate extension of Metro Behavioral Health, which has offered mental health services in the region since 2018. The staff presentation said Maui Counseling is in preliminary stages and that “there is no anticipated cost or budget impacts associated with issuing this letter of support.”
Commissioner Marshall thanked the presenters and moved to approve the letter of support. The motion carried without recorded opposition.
Supporters at the meeting framed the letter as an early, nonbinding step to help expand outpatient capacity and reduce reliance on higher‑cost inpatient care that can require county contributions. County staff emphasized the letter does not create a county funding obligation and that the licensure and service development remain subject to state regulatory approvals and the provider’s ability to complete licensing requirements.
The board did not adopt any ordinance, contract, or funding commitment related to Maui Counseling at the meeting. The letter will be sent as described by county staff, and commissioners said they expect to receive further updates if Maui Counseling advances toward licensure and service delivery.
