Ignite Idaho describes 24/7 crisis-response expansion; asks commissioners to consider MOU for indigent-assistance fund

Executives from Ignite Idaho told Valley County commissioners on Feb. 18 that seed funding from the county helped create a separate crisis-response space and seed an outreach program that now links people in crisis to counseling, case management, childcare and housing resources.

Tracy Jamieson, Ignite Idaho executive director, said the program offers mobile responses and a 24/7 on-call clinician who can meet people "where they're at" and provide short-term crisis stabilization, safety planning and referrals to ongoing services. Jamieson and administrator Shiloh Ryker said the center also operates a youth assessment program, drop-in childcare and wraparound services intended to help families stabilize and access longer-term supports.

Jamieson described partnerships with health-care providers, the sheriff and police departments, and community groups, and said the crisis-response work reduces calls to emergency services by offering an alternative to hospital or law-enforcement response in many cases. "We were able to separate them from our other space where our child care resources are ... being able to have that added space has been so beneficial," she said.

Ignite staff said they have helped dozens of people since the program’s expansion and reported continuing needs for housing move-in support and deposits. During the presentation a county staff member noted there is a remaining pool of previous indigent-assistance funds that could be considered for a revolving assistance fund; a county representative said the remaining balance discussed in the meeting was roughly $200,000. Commissioners indicated interest in further discussion but noted legal and oversight questions and said an MOU and detailed audit/reporting expectations would be required before transferring public funds to a nonprofit.

Ignite staff described other revenue sources and grants that support their work, including private-foundation grants and partnerships with Central District Health and other agencies. They said they are pursuing more stable reimbursements through insurance and Medicaid where possible and were seeking additional multi-year grant opportunities to sustain crisis-response staffing.

Ending: Commissioners asked county staff to explore legal and contracting issues and to place the topic on a future agenda for formal consideration. Commissioners noted the need for an MOU, clear service expectations and audit/reporting provisions before any transfer of county funds. "I think the conversation is very worthy of being had," one commissioner said.