WAUSAU, Wis, (WSAU) — Changes may be coming between Marathon County and North Central Health Care.
The board voted Tuesday night to do a feasibility study and complete a needs assessment to look at what sort of governance and policy changes might be needed at North Central Health Care. That could result in more direct control by the board and county staff through the creation of a county human services department.
The original vote on the agenda was to end the county’s contracts and involvement with North Central Health Care effective on January 1st 2018. That’s the earliest date that the county would be able to get out of the three county agreement with Lincoln and Langlade Counties that created the organization. That was modified later in the session by board member Jeff Zriny to set up that feasibility study and needs assessment before a final decision was made.
Marathon County Chief Deputy Chad Billeb and deputy county administrator Deb Hager spent nearly an hour laying out the reasoning for a change in policies at North Central Health Care or a discontinuation of services. They cited repeated incidents over the course of many years where the staff in the Jail and the staff from NCHC came into conflict when the NCHC Crisis Care officials did not respond appropriately to situations where inmates and those in crisis required help.
In the end, the board approved the compromise measure. Chairman Kurt Gibbs says the planned studies will find out the best way that the county can provide services to its citizens. “There is no question that these services will continue and have to continue and my hope is that these efforts will result in a better delivery of services to citizens.” Under state statutes, the county is required to provide help and assistance to those in danger of killing themselves or causing great bodily harm to themselves, and for those who are unable to help themselves due to intoxication or chemical dependencies.
County board vice chair Lee Peek says the compromise that was accepted works to examine what sort of services the county needs from North Central and to direct them in how to provide that care. “It’s what’s best for the people who are on the front lines: our law enforcement, our administration. It’s what’s best for North Central Health Care in providing those services, and it’s best for our citizens and taxpayers in the expectation that those services are being provided.”
County board member John Robinson says that the rest of the board has to take the time to examine what they want out of the county’s health services and North Central Health Care. “The question is, what will we do when the final vote comes in? I think we need to collect a lot more information as to organizational structure, what the cost is, and what the services will be.” He says setting expectations for North Central Health Care staff will go a long way in reforming what’s going on at the organization.
The board now has until September to make a vote on the proposal and whatever ideas and plans come out of the two studies.
