Polk County outlines July 1 transition for Integrated Service Agencies, approves incentive payments
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Summary
Polk County staff told the regional board it will close the Integrated Service Agency region June 30 and assume a statewide disability access point July 1, approved FY24–25 value-based incentive payments, and described a six‑month funding bridge for unique services while statewide waivers are finalized.
Polk County officials told the region governing board that the state-directed reorganization of integrated service agencies will culminate with the region closing June 30 and a new disability access point beginning July 1, and the board approved FY24–25 value‑based incentive payments tied to independent evaluations.
Annie, a county staff member leading transition work, said the region will "shut down the region, from June until probably about mid September" and that "the disability access point starts on July 1, and we will need to be responsible for all 14 counties." She said the county will submit contract amendments to temporarily take on funding for services that do not align with Medicaid reimbursement for the first six months while the state evaluates whether those services can be continued statewide.
The board approved the incentive payments after staff described how distributions are tied to an independent evaluation. The evaluation, conducted under contract with the University of Iowa Law, Health Policy and Disability Center, includes file reviews and satisfaction surveys; staff summarized that "the incentive awards or value based payments are based on the actual, achievement of outcomes." The board approved the motion by voice vote.
Staff described work the county has done to communicate with Polk County providers and clients: town halls, a provider toolkit, and trainings for billing and disability service navigators that will continue through June. Annie said Polk County is further along than neighboring regions in identifying clients, noting Polk County serves about "400 individuals" and that staff expect roughly 60 additional clients from each of two other regions to be assigned to Polk County unless those regions provide their client lists.
Board members urged staff to ensure a clear process for handling individuals who arrive at county offices or who are otherwise at risk during transition. Assistant County Attorney Andrea Petrovich told the board that resolutions and governance documents to dissolve the regional governing board will be presented on June 17 and then forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for financial close‑out and the formal transfer of responsibilities. Petrovich described the new advisory body for the disability access point as "an advisory only council" with no decision‑making authority; final resolutions and any policy decisions will come to the Board of Supervisors.
Next steps: staff will submit contract amendments to accept temporary funding responsibilities for some unique services, finalize client lists and report contacts to the state, and present closure and transfer resolutions to the regional board on June 17 before forwarding them to the Board of Supervisors.
