Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health Capacity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Officials report limited behavioral‑health staffing but cite success reducing hospitalizations through crisis diversion
Summary
Committee members heard department staff say outpatient behavioral‑health services remain limited because two clinicians are supervising multiple programs; crisis‑contacts data show diversion plans have helped reduce hospitalizations, and Northland's crisis counseling is currently meeting demand.
During the Aug. 6 meeting, Health and Human Services staff described constrained outpatient behavioral‑health capacity and recent successes in crisis diversion.
Alicia Carlson reported that services are being offered on a limited basis because two clinicians employed by the agency are supervising a range of programs while trying to provide outpatient clinical services. Staff also provided statistics for CCS, CST and CLTS programming and said referrals from schools continue to rise.
Joe Bodo reviewed the crisis‑contacts data and said the county has been successful in developing diversionary plans that have reduced hospitalizations. Minutes note that Northland's crisis‑counseling services have been keeping up with current demand.
Committee members received written reports and were also told that behavioral‑health staff are completing state reports and grants while handling increased referrals. The minutes do not provide specific wait‑list lengths or exact caseload per clinician.
