Wausau–Marathon County task force pins down service gaps, pushes for surge shelter, case management and shared data

Members of the joint City of Wausau–Marathon County Homelessness Task Force on Wednesday reviewed short- and long-term gaps in mental health and substance use treatment, shelter capacity and case management and discussed next steps including surge sheltering, a shared by-name database and a staffed “backbone” to coordinate partners.

The discussion, centered on the task force’s 90-day recommendations and a resolution passed at the previous meeting directing Administrator Leonard to explore incorporating surrounding communities, focused on three immediate needs: more detox and treatment capacity, expanded case management/wraparound services, and better information-sharing to track people who cycle through services.

“The system-wide shortage of providers” was cited repeatedly by Vicki, a representative of North Central Healthcare, who said the agency and other local providers are often full and that clinician shortages — and geographic gaps in certified substance-abuse counselors in Marathon County — limit local capacity. Vicki said North Central’s adult crisis stabilization facility has 16 beds and has been “very, very full this winter season.” She added that Lakeside Recovery operates a generally 28-day program and that beds there are similarly limited.

Law-enforcement and public-safety speakers pressed for…