County asked to support mental health initiatives

Dec. 08--The Center's director talked Monday with county commissioners about mental health needs and the need for increased financial support.

Currently, The Center -- A Samaritan Center, has provided 12,082 mental health sessions through The Center and with referrals from the Social Welfare Board, said Bud Salanski, director.

"The Center is a safety net for the community," Mr. Salanski said. He became director about 13 years ago after retiring from Wire Rope Corp.

There are three local agencies providing mental health services in the county, said Dwight Scroggins, the Buchanan County prosecutor. Northwest Health Services provides mental health services to clients approved for federal assistance; Family Guidance Center provides the service to clients qualified for state reimbursement and the rest are serviced by The Center, Mr. Scroggins said.

"There's no place else in the community," he said.

The agency gets some payments through Medicare and Medicaid but they only provide funds for about 25 percent of the clients, Mr. Salanski said.

The untreated or under medicated end up being a county expense because they end up across the street in jail, Mr. Scroggins said. And if a person doesn't qualify for federal or state assistance the other two agencies won't take you, he said.

The commissioners took no action today, but said a decision would be made when the budget is ready. The commissioners have to approve the county's 2015 budget by the end of January.

Both Harry Roberts, commissioner-elect, and Tara Horn, auditor-elect, attended the hearing. If a decision isn't reached by Dec. 31, Mr. Roberts could be voting on the issue in January.

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