Committee hears update on interlocal MOU to fold mental-health and substance-abuse services into county health department

Summary

Staff reported a multi-county MOU to restructure public health, mental-health and substance-abuse services into the local health department; procurement and contract-continuity questions remain and the group set a target to have restructuring and contracts in place to support a July 1 operational date.

Unidentified speaker S6 (transcript label S6) updated the committee on an interlocal memorandum of understanding being developed among Cache County and neighboring jurisdictions to restructure public-health services to include mental-health and substance-abuse programs.

S6 said the MOU would commit the county with partners to reorganize services so a single local health department could administer public health, mental health and substance-abuse services and associated contracts. The staff leading the effort are discussing procurement rules and existing contract exceptions so that current providers can continue service during the transition and there is no interruption to care. S6 said the working group hopes to complete needed decisions and contract arrangements so the restructured health department model can be operational by July 1.

Committee members asked for updates as the MOU and procurement approach are finalized; S6 offered to provide one-on-one briefings for committee members and to bring more detailed materials to future meetings. The committee did not take formal action at this meeting.