Linn County community services reports lower winter-shelter use; officials prepare for ECI and mental-health transitions

Dave Thielen, director of Linn County Community Services, told the Board of Supervisors on April 22 that winter-shelter use declined this season and that staff are preparing for multiple state-level program changes affecting child care and behavioral health. "We did submit our amendment, last week," Thielen said, referring to budget amendments the board approved earlier. He said the county's winter shelter served "471 on duplicated individuals, about 71 per night," down from last year when averages hit "over 90 per night" and occasional peaks of "over 110."

Thielen said other shelter figures include that "54% stayed fewer than 5 nights" and that eight individuals at the shelter had significant health needs. He told supervisors he will try to provide historical data on shelter nights so the county can better compare seasonal changes. "I can check into it," Thielen said in response to a supervisor's question about whether a multi-year temperature versus shelter-use chart exists.

Staff are also revising general-assistance policy. "Ashley is continuing to work on a code rewrite," Thielen said, describing work on income guidelines, frequency of applications and other eligibility rules. He said the rewrite will move through the general-assistance advisory and the LCCS board before returning to the Board of Supervisors, likely in May.

On food security, Thielen said LCCS is working with multiple partners including the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, United Way, Alliant Energy foundations and city and county staff to coordinate food pantries and related services. He and staff plan conversations with the county Food Systems Council as that council begins its five-year strategic planning.

Thielen warned supervisors that state-level changes could reduce funding for Early Childhood Iowa (ECI). He said the ECI funding allocation may be lowered to about $944,000 while the governor’s new continuum-of-care initiative is expected to take $16 million from existing ECI funding streams. The timing and mechanism remain unsettled; Thielen told the board the governor may use administrative rules or executive action for parts of the plan and that the ECI district board transition could be delayed until July 1, giving more time for coordination.

On behavioral-health changes, Thielen described shifts in the East Central Region (ECR) mental-health structure and the formation of a new disability access point (DAP). He said Aaron from the county access center had not yet received a state license to start withdrawal management and that the region’s CEO is leaving June 4, compressing transition timelines. Thielen said county staff are discussing whether Linn County could serve as fiscal agent for the DAP and that he will meet with the region’s CEO to discuss roles and contracts.

Thielen also reviewed detention and juvenile services: hiring and retention have improved but institutional knowledge is a concern, and the county continues to monitor a proposed change to the detention-home fund formula that, under several proposals, would have reduced Linn County’s share by roughly $45,000 to $200,000. He said discussions over that formula appear to have ended and the county expects the current formula to remain in place for now.

The presentation concluded with Thielen noting positive licensing results for county-contracted providers: Options’ HCBS licensing visit and the detention facility licensing visit both went well, and Options is preparing for CARF accreditation this summer. "That's what I have. Any questions?" Thielen said at the end of his report.