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Sawyer County HHS: new health center due in April; shelters repurposed, staffing and childcare shortages noted
Summary
County administration told the Health and Human Services committee a new health center is scheduled to open in early April, emergency shelters have been repurposed, and the department is recruiting for multiple staff positions while noting a local shortage of licensed childcare providers.
County administration reported progress on a planned health center and facility changes and outlined staffing and child‑care challenges.
An administration update said the new health center is expected to be operational in early April. The department said it has repurposed shelter space to operate an emergency overnight shelter (women's and men's) and a men's sober living facility supported by a voucher system through the Department of Health; staff said the sober living facility was operating near capacity and helping individuals move toward transition or treatment.
On staffing, administration listed multiple open postings: a youth diversion and truancy specialist (interviews under way), two administrative assistant positions, and mental‑health counselor positions. Staff said some positions have candidates in interview stages and that supervisors will receive monthly budget books and support to improve budget monitoring.
The committee also heard from economic support staff that the county is short on licensed child‑care providers — only three were available in the area as reported — and that Northwest Connections is helping by making placement calls on behalf of families to secure openings. The department emphasized the link between child‑care access and workforce participation.
Separately, the Senior Resource Center reported a fundraiser that raised approximately $36,000 toward a larger $50,000 roof goal. No ordinance or contract votes were taken on these items during the meeting; the committee approved the January minutes by voice vote earlier in the session.
