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Commissioners approve expanded counseling contract for fire personnel after usage jumps to 815 sessions
Summary
Clay County commissioners approved a sole-source agreement and quarterly payments to Command Counseling Center to increase capacity for firefighter behavioral-health services after demand exceeded the original contract.
The Clay County Board of County Commissioners on June 24 approved an expanded agreement with Command Counseling Center LLC to provide clinical behavioral-health services for county fire personnel, approving quarterly payments and designating the provider as a sole-source contractor.
Assistant County Manager and acting fire chief Dave Motes told the board the county had about 190 personnel when its agreement started in 2021 and now has roughly 300 fire personnel, creating a "volume issue" that drove higher service demand. Marie Guma, founder of Command Counseling Center, said the firm performed 815 sessions for firefighters on a contract that originally budgeted 500 sessions and proposed increasing the contract to 900 sessions to match demand.
"We're eliminating stigma so that they're getting help," Guma said, describing monthly station visitations, informal outreach and use of culturally competent therapists as part of the program's model. Motes and multiple commissioners praised the program as preventative and effective at increasing access for firefighters.
Commissioner Renick, who pulled the item for discussion, asked about the cost escalation and asked the provider to explain the increase in service levels; Guma said the rise in sessions was a sign of program success and cultural change within the department. Commissioner Wagner noted the staffing increase for the fire department and the union's support for the program.
Commissioner Redinger moved to approve the agreement, including quarterly payments and sole-source designation; a second followed. The board voted 5-0 to approve the agreement.
The contract action adds capacity and funding to an existing program for behavioral-health support for firefighters; commissioners said they want to see performance measures in future contracts and will continue to monitor usage and outcomes.
