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Behavioral health manager seeks support for 988 funding; county explores Avel partnership for crisis response
Summary
Jo Beth Gonzalez reported outreach to support restoration of 988 funding, described the county's use of a regional crisis line, summarized CCS caseloads (~60 participants with 11 incoming referrals), and said the county is pursuing an MOU with Red Cliff Police Department to pilot Avel support for field crisis response.
Jo Beth Gonzalez, Behavioral Health and Community Programs Manager, briefed the Bayfield County Human Services Board on May 28 about local crisis response resources and program staffing. Gonzalez said she has been in the position two months and is reaching out to collect statements and stories to support federal restoration of funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Gonzalez reviewed local use of a regional crisis line provided by Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin and listed other available helplines such as the Veterans Crisis Line and HOPELINE. She said behavior health workers conduct voluntary outreach, follow‑up, referrals and connections to treatment, and that CCS currently serves roughly 60 participants with 11 incoming referrals; two participants may be discharged due to relocation.
Gonzalez said Red Cliff Police Department expressed interest in partnering with Avel to support law enforcement crisis response; the county is developing a memorandum of understanding with the sheriff’s department and RCPD to define use and operations. Gonzalez and staff said contracted CSP slots (12) are currently full and that staff are monitoring caseloads to determine if additional service facilitator positions are needed.
No formal action on funding or the Avel partnership was taken at the meeting; Gonzalez said follow up meetings are planned.
