March 28, 2024

Supervisors to receive MH/DD annual report

At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors will receive the annual report on activities serving those with mental health issues and developmental disabilities from Jody Eaton of the Community Services Department.

Eaton, who serves as the Jasper County Central Point of Coordination for MH/DD services, will outline her offices progress toward three specific goals:

• Awareness and Training: increase public awareness of the issues and challenges faced by individuals, families and communities for persons with mental illness, mental retardation and developmental disabilities with community and provider education. Improve the Jasper County website. Conduct training presentations for targeted Jasper County support services groups.

• Enhancing Services: To maintain current supports and services in Jasper County without a provider waiting list.

• Transition from Prison/Jail to Community Mental Health: Individuals will be given information on how and where to access mental health and other community services.

Eaton also will review stakeholder involvement, as well as financial and statistical information about Jasper County MH/DD services. For instance, in Fiscal Year 2012, which ended June 30, the accrued mental health expenditures for Jasper County totaled nearly $4,353,000.

The number of individuals served who had mental illness increased by 22 in the fiscal year. However, the number of individuals served with chronic mental illness and mental retardation decreased by four and seven people, respectively. The number of individuals served with developmental disabilities increased by three, creating a net increase in the total number of people served of 14.

Sixty-two percent of MH/DD expenditures stay in Jasper County. That produces a local economic impact of more than $2.6 million.

In other business, the supervisors will accept the Weed Commissioner’s annual report, as well as the Recorder’s Monthly Report.

Bob Eschliman can be contacted at (641) 792-3121 ext. 423 or via email at beschliman@newtondailynews.com.