With the state's reorganization of mental health programs, who's in charge?

The state legislature two years ago approved a redesign of the delivery of mental health and developmental disability services. 

Winneshiek County supervisors are trying to figure out what their role will be in the new system, now that it has gone into effect as of January 1st.

The new system. which went into effect in January, has such services provided through regional consortiums.  Winneshiek County has joined with 21 other counties in a regional organization, County Social Services, that will handle many of the administrative duties formerly handled by Winneshiek County MH/DD CPC Jan Heikes, who has taken a job with the state.

On Monday county supervisors agreed not to enter into a 28E agreement with CSS covering their employees who will be responsible for Winneshiek County.  County Attorney Andy Van der Maaten agreed that if CSS makes the hiring decision for an administrator who will work with mental health providers for Winneshiek County, a 28E agreement is "irrelevant."  Supervisors instead will let County Social Services handle all the details.