CJCC hears public-health updates, CCS rollout and low local vaccination rates

At the March 11 meeting, the Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council received a public-health briefing and an update on behavioral-health services relevant to justice-involved residents. Health department staff said a community health improvement plan is being formed around three tracks — mental health, substance use and resource/connection work groups — and co-chairs will meet to advance the work.

Staff described plans to bring the Comprehensive Community Support (CCS) program online as hiring and training proceed. "You do have to have medical assistance to qualify for a CCS program," a health staff member said, and the county is training a half-time facilitator and preparing to onboard clients once the staffing and Medicaid-eligibility requirements are met.

Council members also discussed vaccination coverage. A health staff member reported that, in the age group discussed, the state rate was about 79% while local coverage for 1-to-2-year-olds was reported at 71%; when looking across recommended vaccinations the staff member said Sawyer County's overall coverage is about 54%. The department has received a grant to target MMR outreach and said letters and other efforts are underway to improve uptake.

Members requested that mobile-crisis and CSP (Crisis Stabilization Program) reports be added to future CJCC agendas because the county behavioral-health meeting routinely precedes the CJCC meeting and material overlaps. The health update also flagged CCS referral challenges: some referrals do not qualify because clients have other health insurance, and staff will work on ensuring referral data are accurate.

The council received a youth-justice packet and was told to expect updates on opioid-related work and diversion developments at the next meeting. No council actions or formal votes were recorded on the health items; staff were asked to continue coordination and return with updated program details.