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Community services director details opioid CHW grant, childcare needs and transitional housing prospects
Summary
Community services staff told commissioners October service counts fell slightly while case intensity rose; they said Medicaid reimbursement for CHW work was $887.90 in October, a CHW opioid grant would reimburse about $20,000 per worker this year (approximately $40,000 total for the office), and the team is exploring transitional housing funding through South Dakota Housing.
At the Nov. 18 Codington County meeting, community services director Sarah reported that October client counts were slightly down but that case intensity and needs have increased. She said Medicaid reimbursement for community health worker (CHW) billing in October was $887.90 and that the office missed a couple weeks of November billing, which will raise November reimbursements.
Sarah described the CHW opioid grant intended to support people with opioid use disorder or at risk. She said last year the grant reimbursed $15,000 per CHW and that this year the reimbursement was increased to about $20,000 per CHW, creating a possible $40,000 annual grant for the office if they are awarded funding. The grant reimburses services that other payers do not cover, and staff have been doing outreach to connect people who have ‘‘fallen through the cracks’’ with services and case management.
On childcare, Sarah said capacity, affordability and quality remain concerns. She noted local providers and in-home caregivers help fill spots but that the county still expects unmet need even with new housing projects in the pipeline; staff plan to update the community survey to measure capacity and affordability. Sarah also described work with local partners and a consultant to explore centralized options and affordability solutions.
Sarah said the county is exploring transitional housing funding through South Dakota Housing (federal funding routed through state housing agencies) and noted the county itself would not be the direct applicant for some funding opportunities. Commissioners thanked staff and asked that updates return to the board as grant and survey work moves forward.
