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Morrison County signs off on 29 Health & Human Services contracts; board hears school‑based mental health update
Summary
The county board approved a grid of 29 Health & Human Services contracts to avoid service lapses; staff reported some school‑based positions previously funded with ARPA were picked up by individual schools while other programs were reduced for 2025–26.
Morrison County commissioners approved a package of 29 Health & Human Services contracts during their Dec. 12 meeting aimed at avoiding gaps in mandated services.
Nathan Bertram, director of Morrison County Health & Human Services, presented the contract grid and said most of the agreements are mandated or help the county meet mandated objectives. He explained that approving the full set now prevents contract lapses that can occur when items are taken one by one; most current contracts were set to expire Dec. 31, 2025.
Commissioners asked about specific contracts. Commissioner Moran questioned whether the Northern Pines school‑based mental‑health contract was the same program previously funded by ARPA; Bertram said it was a different contract. He said the ARPA‑funded behavior‑intervention work concluded and that some schools picked up positions while others did not, leaving roughly a 50/50 split across districts for continuation. He also noted the current Northern Pines amount for 2025–26 was reduced by roughly $17,000 (about an 18% reduction) compared with a prior year.
Bertram also described an 'Umbrella Tree' contract that the department occasionally uses for child‑protection referrals and phone monitoring; he said the contract remains on the county grid in case services are needed. He told the board most of the contracts are standard county agreements with set maxima and that they are reviewed by County Attorney Mitten Dorf before execution.
Commissioner Winter moved to approve the contract grid; Commissioner Casper seconded. The board carried the motion by roll call vote.
