A decorahnews.com in-depth report: Winneshiek County's mental health programs are facing funding challenges

Terry Larson, Scott Lyons and Linda Stortz are neighbors, living in the Woolen Mill apartments in Decorah.  Services provided by Opportunity Homes allow them to live on their own, rather than having to live in a group home.

The three tell decorahnews.com it's nice to be on your own.  Scott says he likes being more independent.  He has even been able—with a little assistance—to file his own income tax return.

Terry and Linda spent one recent afternoon putting a new battery in a car.  "This is a lot better than where I was," says Terry.

All three talk about how comfortable it is to live in their own apartment.  Linda's apartment has a bedroom and two sinks.  "I needed the space," she says, while Scott praises the size of his apartment, which includes a kitchen, bedroom and living room area.

All three were able to move into the Woolen Mills because the Winneshiek CPC—or Central Point of Coordination—provides funding for services to them.  For instance, although Linda says "I eat what I like," Opportunity Homes provides nutritional counseling for her and others.

Winneshiek CPC works with the Spectrum Network, Goodwill, Full Circle, Mosaic, Wellington Place,  TASC and Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health Center in addition to working with Opportunity Homes.

But CPC Administrator Jan Heikes says mental health programs are feeling a severe budget crunch.  In part two of our series we'll take a look at just how severe those budget problems are.