Jackson County approves joining Eastern Iowa Disability Alliance 28E agreement; county told there is no county funding obligation

Julie Davidson, interim CEO of the Disability Access Point for District 7, told the Jackson County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that her organization — which is changing its public name to Eastern Iowa Disability Alliance — will provide service navigation, options counseling and limited funding requests for individuals with disabilities across the district.

Davidson described the service model under recent behavioral health reorganization: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) now sets operational guidance and funding and the Administrative Service Organization (ASO) — identified in the meeting as Iowa Primary Care Associates — oversees some services formerly billed by the region. The disability access point staff will be based out of Dubuque County and will serve Dubuque, Jones and Jackson counties; Davidson said staff would meet with residents in the community and that the agency expects a regular presence in Jackson County.

Davidson presented a draft 28E intergovernmental agreement to make Jackson County a member of the governing board for the Eastern Iowa Disability Alliance. She said there is no county financial responsibility: “There is no financial responsibility. We are fully funded through HHS,” Davidson said, adding that most funding supports staff and that some small, short-term continuity-of-care funds flow through the agency to providers. She also explained the difference between the former region system and the new structure: counties do not need to join the 28E for residents to receive services.

After questions from supervisors about meeting frequency and county influence, a motion was made and seconded to approve and sign the 28E agreement. The board voted by voice to approve the agreement and authorize the signature (referred to in the documents as Care Signature). “All those in favor, say aye.” “Aye.” “Motion carries.”

Davidson said the alliance will aim for quarterly governing-board meetings, focus on approving claims, and coordinate with the ASO and local sheriff’s offices on jail-related behavioral-health issues. She reported that several counties had already agreed to participate (Cedar and Louisa were cited as having signed) while others were still deciding; Johnson and Linn counties had chosen not to participate, she said.

The board’s motion and vote were recorded in the meeting minutes; county staff will return the signed 28E agreement to the alliance and the agency will begin outreach in Jackson County now that staff hires are in place.