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Supervisors say custody of mental health advocate records needs clarification after state request
Summary
Wright County staff reported officials are researching who is the custodian of mental health advocate records after a state request for information in the CSN system; the board was told counties may own advocate data, and the matter may require county attorney guidance.
Wright County officials on Monday discussed a request from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for mental-health information stored in CSN and determined the county must clarify who legally holds custody of those advocate records.
Betty told the board that the county received a request — routed through the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) — asking counties to authorize release of information from the Client Services Network (CSN) to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Betty said the change in regional structure for behavioral health services has prompted HHS to seek information that regions hold in CSN.
"ISAC identified that the information for mental health advocates is not the property of the regions, but is the property of counties as counties employ advocates," Betty said, recounting an email from Russell Wood, the region’s director. Betty said she had contacted Jen Sheehan and planned to review the 28E intergovernmental agreements the county has with CICS and Humboldt to determine which records Humboldt holds as employer of record and which, if any, remain Wright County records.
Betty told the board that Humboldt County currently serves as the employer of record for the advocate who covers Wright County under a 28E agreement, and that Rolling Hills and CICS were also involved in prior arrangements. She said the CSN contains advocates’ records and also holds general-assistance information, and the county must take care not to inadvertently release unrelated general assistance records if it signs a release.
Betty said an email from Russell Wood advised that CICS is not the custodian of commitment data and that she should consult the county attorney and the mental health advocate for guidance on whether to sign any release.
Board members did not make a decision Monday and agreed to delay further formal action until staff can review the 28E agreements and, if appropriate, invite regional officials to meet with the board.
Ending
The board declined to put the matter on next week’s agenda until staff complete their review and notify the board when regional staff can attend for further discussion.
