MHDS region explores the future of RCFs

Board of Supervisors
By: 
KIm Brooks
Express Editor

     Deb Schultz, Jones County Community Services director, met with the Jones County Supervisors during their Jan. 3 meeting to discuss the future of residential care facilities within the MH/DS region.

     Jones County is part of a nine-county mental health region. Schultz said there are four residential care facilities (RCF) within the region.

     “They total well over 200 beds,” she said or availability. “But we’ve been looking at bringing the number of beds down.”

     Schultz explained that both Medicare and Medicaid have put some pressure on the regions throughout Iowa to eliminate placing residents in beds within institutions, but rather keep these residents in their own communities “if they’re capable to do so with the proper support,” prefaced Schultz.

     “There is a big push to downsize and ultimately eliminate RCFs,” added Schultz.

     Supervisor Lloyd Eaken commented that not all mental health citizens are ready to be included within a community.

     Schultz clarified that with the right professional support behind those individuals, it could be successful.

     She said within the past six months or so, social workers have been evaluating those living within RCFs, trying to determine those who might be ready to move out “and not be a danger to the community and themselves.”

     Supervisor Wayne Manternach asked if the region would continue to pay for RCF beds that remained empty. Schultz said that would not be the case.

     “A committee is looking at developing a plan to reduce the number of beds within the (mental health) system and in an appropriate manner so those people have the support they need in the community,” said Schultz.

     Supervisor Ned Rohwedder felt that by pulling people out of the RCFs, those businesses would lose money. Schultz said with fewer residents within the facilities, they could look at reducing staff to save money.

     “It makes it hard,” sympathized Schultz, “but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t attempt to bring people into the community. RCFs are going to have to make some changes.” She said perhaps they could physically downsize as well.

     The other side is that there are some MHDS regions that do not have a single RCF. Schultz said they resort to placing residents in facilities in other regions. This means that once those people are released, they tend to remain in the area to continue that professional care. Their mental health care then becomes the responsibility of that region.

     “They will continue to have 24-hour care in the community,” she said.

     Concerning the region as a whole, Schultz said the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could have a drastic affect on the region’s funds. She said the issue is up in the air for the time being with a new administration coming into Washington.

     “We’ve saved money with the ACA in Jones County and within the region,” she said.

In other county business:

     • Wes Gibbs was reappointed Weed Commissioner for 2017.

     • The board approved the adoption of the annual Construction Evaluation Resolution regarding applications for confinement The board set a public hearing on a request to change a portion of 132nd Street in Clay Township from a Level B to a Level C road. The hearing was set for Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 9:30 a.m.

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