Keith County officials begin planning a mental-health response team and explore funding options

Keith County leaders discussed creating a coordinated mental-health response and scheduled a meeting with regional provider Mikaela/Micayla Crawford to outline resources and operations. Jordan and other staff said the next steps are to identify a sustainable monetary commitment, inventory local and regional resources, develop standard operating guidelines (SOGs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and then implement training for supervisors and staff.

Officials cited Lincoln County and West Central Health as examples; commissioners said Lincoln County’s program through West Central had an annual per-family cost in the roughly $170 range as a comparison point. The board discussed grant opportunities (including the Keith County Foundation and other grants) and asked staff to research options so that any county participation would be sustainable and not rely on one-time general-fund draws.

Jordan emphasized that the county must define the monetary item that will drive operations, inventory resources available locally and regionally, and then draft SOGs/SOPs so supervisors can route staff to the proper services. Commissioners agreed to pursue further information and to hold follow-up meetings after the planned session with Crawford.

The board did not adopt a formal funding resolution during the meeting; rather, it directed staff and members of the mental-health team to continue planning and to report back with options for implementation and potential funding sources.