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Park County, Livingston advance grant‑funded mobile crisis, telehealth services
Summary
Park County approved MOUs and a telehealth contract to launch a DHHS‑funded mobile crisis diversion team with the City of Livingston and a 24/7 Alina telehealth service; the county said no county funds will be used and the agreements proceed pending final city execution.
Park County commissioners approved a set of agreements to stand up a jointly run mobile crisis diversion and mobile crisis response team with the City of Livingston and to secure round‑the‑clock telehealth mental‑health services for county residents.
County staff said the program is funded by a three‑year Department of Health and Human Services grant awarded in 2024 and that the county will reimburse Livingston for personnel paid from the grant (including the coalition coordinator and community‑based care coordinator). Kristen (county staff) told commissioners the agreements include reimbursement for non‑employee office and some training costs and that no county general fund dollars will be used.
"This program will represent a fantastic, new resource that's critically needed in the community," Grant Gager, Livingston city manager, said, adding that the city commission has been briefed and he expects its support. Gager noted termination language in the Alina contract would allow the county an exit if something "really unforeseen" occurred on the city side.
The agenda included (1) a behavioral‑health services MOU with Livingston to cover personnel costs from grant funds, (2) a telehealth services MOU under which the city will fund telehealth services for the mobile crisis response team over the grant period, and (3) an Alina telehealth services contract providing 24‑hour, 365‑day telehealth mental‑health services for Park County residents. County staff recommended signing the Alina contract conditioned on receipt of a fully executed MOU from the city so the county is assured the city will provide the telehealth funds.
Staff estimated the mobile crisis team would provide services to roughly six to eight calls per week, not per day. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the MOUs and authorized signature on the Alina contract; staff said they will finalize the Alina contract after the city returns the executed MOU.
Why it matters: Commissioners and city leaders described the effort as a multi‑year collaboration intended to reduce higher‑cost outcomes (such as transfers to inpatient facilities) by providing clinical intervention in the field and 24/7 telehealth backup. The commission recorded no county general‑fund obligation for these agreements and emphasized the contracts are grant‑funded.
