Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center Highlights Crisis Response Services

At the July 21 meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC) Mobile Crisis Response Program Lead Dina Robinson and Crisis Response Practitioner Tiffany Vance presented information about the organization’s mental health response services.

Robinson first reminded the commissioners of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, which people can call when they are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Vance explained that when people call in, they are connected to a hub, like a dispatch center, and then are asked screening questions. At that point, it is determined whether an in-person responder will be sent. During the day in Houston County, that would be Vance, a daytime crisis responder. There are also nighttime responders. Once the responder arrives, a crisis assessment is completed. That is when it is determined whether people need to go to the ER or can remain at home. If they remain at home, a safety plan is developed, and then referrals are made based on that determination. If they need more mental health services within a community, then those referrals are made.

“The goal is to prevent people from needing a higher level of care, such as hospitalization, and to avoid involving law enforcement when it is not necessary,” Robinson explained. “We try to help people where they are and connect them with the resources they need. If someone needs longer-term mental health support, we can provide stabilization services.”

Throughout the presentation, Robinson emphasized the importance of increasing public awareness of HVMHC’s mental health crisis services in rural areas. Commissioners suggested that they have a booth at the Houston County fair and National Night Out.

Chairman Greg Myhre called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners in attendance were Cindy Wright, Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder, Bob Schuldt, and Chairman Myhre.

The board approved the updated agenda and the minutes from the July 7 board meeting and the July 14 workgroup session. Commissioner Johnson abstained from voting on the July 14 minutes as he was not present at that meeting.

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included accepting the retirement of Tammy Mauss with thanks for her 31 ½ years of service, authorizing a competitive search for one full-time eligibility worker and paying the bills.

Commissioners also approved a cooperative agreement between the City of La Crescent and Houston County for the reconstruction of County State Aid Highway (CSAH 6/S. 7th Street) in La Crescent. SAP 236-591-005 on the condition that La Crescent adds back in the language regarding maintenance. The board wants to ensure that all towns in Houston County are treated equally.

The board accepted a $500 donation from the Workforce Development/Houston County Child Care Core Team to support a Super Saturday training event for childcare providers. According to Allison Wagner, Houston County EDA Director, the workshop is open to childcare providers in the entire region and a few counties outside of the region in order to train as many childcare providers as possible. The workshop will take place in September.

In other business, the board:

•Approved a $17,000 speaker system upgrade for the historic courthouse to improve the building’s duress system.

•Approved three T-Hangar lease agreements at the Houston County Airport for Allen Schultz, Russell Kinnenberg and Howard Deters.

The board held a closed session at 9:53 a.m. to conduct a preliminary review of allegations against an individual under the Board of Commissioners’ purview, as mandated by Minnesota Statutes section 13D.05, subdivision 2(b).

After returning from the closed meeting, the board read the following statement:

“Following careful review of the documentation and materials presented through an extensive investigation Board of Commissioners found no evidence to support allegations against Coordinator Parker. We as a board support Coordinator Parker in his role.”

The meeting then adjourned.