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Human Services director outlines staffing, budget and program priorities; flags state reimbursement cut
Summary
Human Services Director Brent Relo told the board the department has 263 full‑time staff and a $40.8 million budget, highlighted the Mott Center, school‑based mental‑health expansion, an on‑site pharmacy pilot, and warned a DCF funding change cost the county about $248,000 in 2025.
Brent Relo, director of Jefferson County Human Services, presented the department’s 2025 annual report to the county board on July 14, detailing staffing, budget and program updates.
Relo said Human Services now has about 263 full‑time staff across five divisions and a current budget of $40,822,216 divided among state/federal allocations, revenues (charges and fees) and the county levy. He described recent operational work and investments, including converting a contracted medical director to a full‑time county employee and establishing a medical cohort of prescribers and psychiatrists.
Relo highlighted program accomplishments and capacity: the Mott Center had 170 admissions in 2025 from 21 counties; the Community Support Program (CSP) served 244 individuals in 2025 and met 82% of service‑plan objectives; the Children’s Long‑Term Support program served more than 550 children with nearly 27 staff; and the intake unit met state and federal standards at over a 99% success rate (state average cited at 84%).
Relo also flagged financial pressures: cuts to a Department of Children and Families reimbursement program reduced county revenues by roughly $248,000 in the prior year and may recur. “That cost Jefferson County Human Services last year about $248,000,” Relo said, warning of potential similar reductions in future allocations.
New initiatives noted by Relo include a provider portal and electronic health‑record updates, a proposal for an on‑site pharmacy to reduce medication access barriers, the creation of a quality assurance specialist position tied to state consortium funding to avoid potential federal penalties related to FoodShare administration, and a full‑time reentry coordinator funded through opioid‑related grants to connect people leaving jail to benefits and services.
Relo thanked board support for staffing and the Mott Center and said he would take questions; none followed. The board did not take an action on the report, which was provided primarily for information and will remain available on the county website under department reports.
The presentation provided performance metrics and budget context the administration said would inform upcoming budget planning.
