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Human services projections show $422,854 placement shortfall; sober‑living requests under review
Summary
Dunn County Human Services reported a projected $422,854 overrun for the fiscal year driven by high‑cost placements; staff declined several recent sober‑living placement requests because of funding limits and are exploring opioid‑settlement funds and grants as potential matches.
A Department of Human Services (DHS) staff member reported to the Dunn County Health and Human Services Board on April 24 that placement costs are driving a projected fiscal shortfall of $422,854 for the department.
"At this point, as you can see, we're $422,854 over budget, and that's all placements," the staff member said. The presenter warned that the figure could rise and noted additional youth placements under review.
Staff said county contracts with treatment providers are more expensive now that some people who were eligible for Medicaid during the pandemic unwinding no longer qualify, increasing the county’s per‑person placement costs. DHS staff described repeated requests for sober‑living placements — community‑based residences for people pursuing recovery after treatment — but said they had not approved new placements because of high costs and limited funding. Staff said they are exploring whether opioid‑settlement funds or a competitive grant could partially cover sober‑living placements.
The department also reported the recent death of a longtime staff member and described plans to support colleagues and affected consumers while arranging memorial plans.
The board approved a human services budget adjustment during the meeting that accepted a youth justice innovation grant (about $3,000) and a donation from Marshall Clinic for a youth gardening program. Supervisor Hagen moved to approve the human services budget adjustment; Mr. Lamb seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote; individual roll‑call tallies were not recorded.
DHS staff and board members discussed efforts to clarify county budget data and to participate in priority‑based budgeting efforts to better map programs and costs.
