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Koochiching board approves multiple public health and human services contracts, renewals and provider agreements
Summary
The board approved a package of public health and human services items including housing support agreements, REM SLS contracts, a pre-petition screening contractor, and school-district foster-child transportation agreements.
Koochiching County commissioners on June 24 approved a bundle of public health and human services agreements that county staff presented as routine annual renewals and required contracts.
Items approved included housing support agreements for several assisted-living and adult foster-care providers (Good Samaritan Northwinds, Ridgeview Assisted Living, Family Freedom Corporation, Northland Counseling Adult Foster Care, Hass Bargains Adult Foster Care, Lutheran Social Services, and REM SLS), a renewed contract with REM for semi-independent living skills services required by state statute for developmentally disabled residents, and a pre-petition screening agreement with Tiffany Dobbs to provide screenings when individuals are placed on 72-hour holds or court-ordered commitment evaluations.
County staff said housing support agreements are annual paperwork that enable those licensed facilities to receive state reimbursement for board and care costs and give the county authority to monitor providers if complaints arise. Commissioners asked about oversight; staff said licensure and inspection are primarily handled by state agencies, and the county’s agreements are documentation to enable state funding flows.
Commissioners also approved transportation agreements to maintain school-district continuity for children in foster care with two local districts (ISD 362 and ISD 363). County staff said these agreements let children remain in their school district and provide for transport by either the school or the county, as needed.
The pre-petition screening work previously was done by Northland Counseling; staff said conflicts of interest led that provider to step away, and Tiffany Dobbs, a qualified mental health practitioner, will take on the work. Staff reported the county averages about 6–10 pre-petition screenings per year, with some years higher.
All items were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote as presented.
