Linn, Jones, Benton counties explore regional MHDD agency

Others may join later, but Linn County officials are set to work with counterparts in Jones and Benton counties to start planning a joint agency to provide mental health and developmental disability (MHDD) services for residents.

"We've also had at least some side discussions with Iowa and Johnson (counties)," said Supervisor Linda Langston. "We're way farther down the road with Benton and Jones."

Langston, D-Cedar Rapids, expects supervisors will discuss and vote Wednesday on a memorandum of understanding that Jones and Benton will be the initial partners for a regional MHDD agency.

Creation of multi-county agencies is all but mandated under MHDD reform legislation adopted this year. The reform law strongly encourages counties form regional MHDD agencies with their neighbors to ensure a uniform level of service across the state.

"The intent is to be able to have a service regimen available in the full region, which would allow the smaller counties to have a better service package," said Kristen Artley,  Johnson County's director of mental health and disability services.

The deadline for regional operation isn't until July 1, 2014,  but counties starting the process by the end of this year may receive organizational funding and assistance from the state, said Langston. She was a member of one of the working groups helping design the reorganization law.

"Then it would be hammering out the details," she said. "You don't have to have the whole thing full operational until July 2014 but your preliminary plans have to be in place (this year)."

"The potential counties have started to look at the services provided by each compared to the core services which will be required by redesign," Mechelle Dhondt, Linn County's director of MHDD services, wrote in an email.  "We are also working to determine if there are major discrepancies in services provided by potential members of the region.  Once we know who will be at the table we have to develop a 28E (intergovernmental) agreement, determine what the county roles would be and figure out how it will work. "

The memorandum will allow early planning to continue. Langston said early talks have included the top MHDD administrator and at least one supervisor from each county, with financial officers also often present.

Jones County isn't ready to commit to a plan, Supervisor Joe Cruise said.

"We have to look at our options, but we have not made any decision," said Cruise, of Monticello.

Efforts to contact Benton County supervisors weren't successful.

Johnson County's options are still open, said Artley. She said a partnership with Linn County could still happen.

"The board of supervisors is still in dialogue with other counties," she said. "It's a real challenge to navigate."

Langston said Linn County will agree to assigning each county a vote on a regional agency's managing board, instead of allotting votes in proportion to each county's population.