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Comcare requests 21 new positions to expand 988/chat and children's services; commissioners approve
Summary
Joan Tamney, executive director of Comcare, asked the board to add 21 positions (mostly revenue‑funded) to expand 988 chat/text capacity and CCBHC services for youth and adults; commissioners approved the staffing-table additions after questions about funding and IT support.
Comcare Executive Director Joan Tamney told the commission she was requesting the addition of 21 positions to the Comcare staffing table to meet increased demand tied to 988 Lifeline expansion and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) service requirements.
"This particular ask includes the addition of 4 full time and 1 part time integrated care specialist who will not only take calls but will answer chat and text through our 988 Lifeline Center..." Tamney said. She described 8 additional integrated care specialists aimed at children's services, two team supervisors to reduce excessive supervisor spans (some supervisors had up to 33 direct reports), administrative support positions, an integrated care specialist for supported employment, and an IT support position to maintain the electronic health record and other technology.
Tamney emphasized the positions are intended to be funded from Comcare revenue rather than property tax. "Comcare is not asking for general tax fund dollars... We're intending to reinvest revenue from the services we deliver into these positions," she said. She told commissioners that adding the staff could increase capacity to serve roughly 120–150 more children "at any given time" and help reduce wait lists.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether the positions include benefits and workspace, whether the revenue model covers ongoing costs, centralization of IT and finance functions, and historical context for the grant and revenue streams. Lindsay Peroso, the county CFO, and County Manager Tom Stoltz joined the discussion to confirm that the request is intended to be supported by state and federal funding flows tied to the CCBHC model and that the county is evaluating centralization options for IT, finance and HR roles.
The board moved and unanimously approved the addition of the 21 positions to the Comcare staffing table.
Why it matters: The staffing additions expand crisis response (988 chat/text), children's community behavioral health capacity, and supports intended to reduce downstream hospitalizations and law‑enforcement contacts. The request emphasizes use of targeted revenue rather than a property‑tax increase.
What's next: Comcare will proceed with hiring under the revenue fund plan and coordinate with IT and finance on reporting and operational support.
