Planning will precede mental health initiatives

April 04--BLOOMINGTON -- Shifting how McLean County cares for residents living with a mental illness will take time and planning before new sales tax dollars are spent on the improvements, say two County Board members who have spearheaded the effort to overhaul community mental health programs.

"It's going to be a slow process because we're creating a new system," said Susan Schafer, who heads the board's Health Committee and helped author the county's Mental Health Action Plan last year.

In early summer, the county will receive its first installment in what could amount to $4 million annually in new sales tax revenue that has been designated for mental health services. The Bloomington and Normal city councils agreed last year to a one-cent sales tax hike, with 25 percent of the money allocated to mental health-related expenses.

According to the county's plan, the $1 million anticipated from the first quarter of tax collections ending in April will be used to reduce the county's capital expenses related to expansion of the jail. County justice system operations, including potential upgrades to the countywide information and reporting system, will receive about $1 million of the new revenue and about $2 million will be used for community initiatives to improve mental health.

The sales tax receipts will not be used to cover shortfalls in state funding to local providers, said County Board Chairman John McIntyre.

"We can't replace the money the state has taken away. Local agencies have to find ways to provide services because we're not supplementing grants with this money," said McIntyre.

The mental health tax money collected under a separate levy and distributed to providers through the Board of Health will remain the source of grants for services, said McIntyre.

The expense borne by the criminal justice system for mentally ill individuals includes treatment while they are incarcerated and training for law enforcement officers who often are first responders when a person is in crisis. Both expenses are among the areas the tax revenue would help cover under the county plan, said Schafer.

A 32-bed mental health unit for inmates who currently are housed in the booking area of the jail was part of the initial proposal. Construction on the $45-million project is expected to begin early next year.

Crowded quarters where inmates are seen for medical visits also could be expanded in the jail. A computer monitor in a patient exam room allows inmates to consult with a psychiatrist over the internet, with a correctional officer nearby.

"Space and privacy issues are definitely something we hope to address," said Sheriff Jon Sandage.

Jail Superintendent Jamie Kessinger estimated that between 10 and 16 inmates are brought in for the remote consultation each week.

The slice of sales tax revenue for initiatives that could create a paradigm shift in mental health treatment will take time to develop, said Schafer.

"This year is a planning year. We're going to be slow and methodical," said Schafer, adding a co-responder program used in a Kansas community that pairs a mental health professional with police officers is an example of what McLean County might consider.

The county also hopes to attract private-public partnerships similar to the Crisis Stabilization Center opened by Chestnut Health Systems, said McIntyre.

A new Behavioral Health Coordinating Council with law enforcement, health care, and school leaders will begin meeting later this year. McIntyre said the council should have recommendations ready next year on changes that will address gaps in local services.

Normal and Bloomington councils will receive an annual report on how the sales tax revenue is spent.

Follow Edith Brady-Lunny on Twitter: @pg_blunny

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