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Crow Wing commissioners approve DHS pilot to expand jail access to forensic mental‑health support
Summary
Board approved a no-cost two-year joint-powers agreement with Minnesota DHS to pilot forensic mental-health support in the Crow Wing County Jail; commissioners questioned procedures for injectable medications, recordkeeping, and potential long-term costs.
The Crow Wing County Board on Oct. 14 voted to enter a two-year, no-cost joint-powers agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to bring forensic mental-health expertise into the county jail. A sheriff’s office representative told the board the pilot will provide psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and pharmacists to assist jail staff with assessment, treatment and training for people in custody who have serious mental-health needs. “DHS has launched a 2 year pilot program focused on improving access to mental health treatment within county jails,” the sheriff’s representative said.
Commissioners pressed staff on who would authorize involuntary or court-ordered injectable psychiatric medications, how medication costs would be handled (presenters said some antipsychotic injectables can cost $1,000–$4,000 depending on the drug), and how recordkeeping would be managed. County medical staff said current practice is to special-order needed injectables and the RN administers them after medical approval; presenters said DHS consultation would help standardize reporting and procedures. The board approved the agreement after discussion and the chair called for the motion.
