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Council discusses wellness-room grant idea and signs contract for 988 follow-up in Park County
Summary
The council discussed applying for grant funding to create a staffed wellness room and announced the Bridge Team will handle follow-up for local 988 calls under a newly signed contract; members raised concerns about hospital ED capacity and follow-up for people sent home.
The Park County Mental Health Local Advisory Council spent a significant portion of its meeting reviewing crisis-response work and potential grant funding to support on-the-ground services.
Rebecca, the council chair, outlined two grant opportunities—one smaller award (about $1,500) and a larger community-building grant (about $15,000)—that another county used to establish a wellness or recovery room in a county building. She suggested applying for similar funds to create a staffed space where people in crisis could meet a peer, schedule telehealth appointments, or receive short-term support instead of being routed to the emergency department.
Members discussed logistics and staffing needs, including reservations about locating such a space inside a courthouse or county building. They emphasized that any successful room would require a staffing plan, technology support and clear access protocols. ‘‘So I'm wondering if we shouldn't try to bring some of those conversations together…because ultimately…some kind of staffing to that and dedicating it is important too,’’ one member said.
Council members also described limitations at the local hospital emergency department—limited rooms and sporadic follow-up—and the need for better warm handoffs to community teams. Laurie Bishop said the hospital did not have a social worker attached to the emergency department and members discussed billing and staffing obstacles to maintaining an on-site social worker.
Rebecca announced that the Bridge Team and the council have signed a contract with 988: "We signed a contract with 9 8 8. We—the Bridge Team—are gonna do all of the follow-up for Park County calls." Under the arrangement the Bridge Team will conduct in-person follow-up and ongoing outreach for people who contact 988, and staff said outreach and public education about using 988 will remain a priority.
Members also reviewed operational work on the state-level Connect referral system and reported that the state Connect referral manager will be in Livingston on June 8 and June 23 to work with local partners on referrals and coordination.
The council identified next steps: research grant application timelines and requirements, map potential locations and staffing models for a wellness room, continue public outreach about 988, and coordinate with hospital and Connect referral partners to improve warm handoffs.
