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Scott County mental health advisory council urges focus on coordinated response, workforce and housing
Summary
The Scott County Local Mental Health Advisory Council told the Board it supports expansion of the Coordinated Response program, backs an integrated health center to fill outpatient gaps, and urged continued advocacy on housing and workforce shortages that affect mental health services.
The Scott County Local Mental Health Advisory Council (LAC) briefed the county board on May 6, outlining priorities that include expanding law-enforcement-linked mental health response, supporting a planned Integrated Health Center, and advocating for housing and workforce solutions tied to mental health needs.
Dale Loomer, chair of the LAC and a Prior Lake resident, said the council supports expansion of the county’s Coordinated Response program, under which mental health professionals follow up on law-enforcement referrals and provide home visits. “Current law enforcement partners are the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Savage Police Department, and Shakopee Police Department,” Loomer said, noting the program will expand countywide and is funded through a mix of insurance revenue, state grants, and opioid settlement dollars.
The LAC also endorsed the development of the Scott County Integrated Health Center as a resource for intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance-use services, saying the facility could reduce emergency-department visits and help keep people in the community. Loomer described continued gaps in residential and inpatient care, attributing part of the problem to staffing shortages that have led to closures and reduced capacity statewide.
The council recommended continued public advocacy for affordable housing and supports for people experiencing homelessness; Loomer cited regional metrics, including a monthly average of about 58 households awaiting homeless-dedicated housing resources who identify Scott County as their primary residence, and an average of 18 eviction filings per month.
Discussion vs. decision: The LAC presentation was informational; the board expressed appreciation and no formal action was taken during the meeting.
Next steps: The LAC said it will continue to meet every other month and to pursue ways to formalize input from people with lived experience, including providing training through NAMI’s “In Our Own Voice” program.
