Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mental Health Advocacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Van Buren County signs MOU with Des Moines County to handle mental-health advocacy after MHDS closeout
Summary
With MHDS regions closing July 1, 2025, the board authorized an MOU with Des Moines County to provide court-appointed mental-health advocacy and related administrative services; counties will assume responsibility for some commitment expenses but Des Moines County will act as fiscal agent if the BH-ASO reimburses the group.
The board voted June 9 to authorize Chairman Mark Meek to sign a memorandum of understanding with Des Moines County to provide mental-health patient advocacy beginning July 1, 2025, as statewide MHDS regions close out. County Auditor Lisa Plecker told supervisors that after the closeout, counties will be responsible for paying Court Appointed Mental Health Advocates and commitment-related expenses and will seek reimbursement from the Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BH-ASO).
"Following the closeout, counties will be responsible for paying for the Court Appointed Mental Health Advocates and commitment related expenses which are incurred on behalf of their residents," Plecker reported. Des Moines County offered an MOU to handle the administrative procedures and act as fiscal agent for the group so long as the BH-ASO will provide group reimbursement; if the BH-ASO declines, the MOU would terminate and each county would be individually responsible. The board approved the MOU by motion from Supervisor House, seconded by Supervisor Waugh; the recorded vote was unanimous.
