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Linn County Mental Health Access Center reports steady diversion, seeks insurance and opioid‑fund policy changes
Summary
The Linn County Mental Health Access Center reported Q1 (July–Sept) metrics showing strong diversion from hospital and jail, increased peer‑support engagement and a push for legislative changes so private insurance covers crisis services and opioid settlement funds can support withdrawal management.
Erin Foster, director of the Linn County Mental Health Access Center, presented the center’s quarter‑one report (July 1–Sept. 30) to the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 22, highlighting service metrics, staffing considerations and two legislative priorities for the upcoming session.
Foster told the board the statewide behavioral health realignment that took effect July 1 involved large administrative changes; her goal was to make the transition invisible to people arriving for care. “We did what we set out to do which was, not to have anyone who walked into the access center actually know that a change happened,” Foster said.
On performance she reported that stabilization bed use continues to be the primary driver of visits, peer support specialists interact with about 75% of clients, and the center has cut on‑site law‑enforcement/EMS time to roughly four minutes — a metric she said law enforcement values. Post‑discharge survey responses rose about 60–70%, giving staff more follow‑up data.
Foster outlined two legislative priorities: she said private insurance in Iowa currently does not cover crisis services and urged lawmakers to require such coverage. “When we have people come in with private insurance…Blue Cross and Blue Shield doesn’t cover this,” she said, adding that the center relies on safety‑net funding for privately insured clients who need crisis services.
The second priority is accessing state opioid settlement funds for withdrawal management: Foster noted last year’s legislation steered some settlement funds to districts but left a state pot undecided and that the state HHS model did not include a 3.7 level‑of‑care for substance use (withdrawal management). Her office will pursue whether opioid settlement dollars can help establish withdrawal‑management services locally.
Foster also reviewed staffing and strategic planning: the center is evaluating second‑shift staffing needs and expects to present an updated strategic plan to the board by December. She announced a winter clothing drive to provide discharged clients with coats, hats and hand warmers and gave the center’s address for donations: 501 13th Street Northwest, Cedar Rapids.
Board members thanked Foster and said they would help with outreach and advocacy in Des Moines on insurance coverage and funding decisions. Public commenters later praised the Access Center’s discharge planning and peer supports and asked for a brief data clarification on fiscal vs. calendar reporting in the slide deck.
