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Lincoln County approves revised crisis diversion grant, funds health‑department coordinator
Summary
The county approved a reworked Crisis Diversion (CVG) grant plan that moves administration to the health department and authorizes hiring a Crisis Coalition Coordinator to manage the program and claims administration; commissioners approved the plan and budget and directed staff to finalize amendments with the state.
Lincoln County Commissioners voted Oct. 29 to accept a revised Crisis Diversion Grant plan that shifts administration of the grant from justice court to the county health department and establishes a funded Crisis Coalition Coordinator position to oversee the program.
County staff and health‑department representatives told commissioners the state reworked the grant to allow a manager position at the health department to perform supervision, paperwork and claims administration for community‑based crisis services. The revised budget removes some prior innovation‑project line items and reallocates funds to pay the proposed coordinator; staff said the amendment could also allow reimbursement for prior months of pay for the position if documentation is provided.
Why it matters: commissioners said a supervised administrative structure would improve oversight and compliance and help the county recover roughly 14 months of previously unpaid compensation under the grant. Commissioners discussed how the grant match would be met — county staff and the health department said the coalition’s in‑kind commitments and departmental contributions should satisfy matching requirements.
County Commissioner Ham and other commissioners pressed staff about optional coverage items, benefit costs for the coordinator and whether benefits would be paid from grant funds. Staff said the position’s wage and benefits are included in the revised budget and that, depending on the hired rate, the grant could leave a modest county shortfall (staff estimated a possible $7,500 this fiscal year and $15,000 the next year at the higher pay range), which the county could cover as in‑kind match.
The board moved and seconded a motion to accept the plan, authorize the health department to fill the Crisis Coalition Coordinator position under the grant budget presented, and direct staff to complete the state’s amended contract. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Next steps: staff said the county already has a signed contract with the state that requires amendment; the state is preparing an amended contract and staff will return with final documents and supervise the hiring process. Commissioners said they want documentation to support any retroactive reimbursement claims for previously paid wages and to confirm claims‑administration options before full implementation.
