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COLUMBUS – The Colorado County Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, June 12.
During that meeting, a presentation was made by the Wellness Council of Greater Colorado Valley of the second-year funds for the Mental Health Deputy Program for Colorado County. Dr. Mazie Leftwich, Wellness Council president, spoke before the commissioners.
“If you recall, we came in February last year and presented to you a donation gathered by the Wellness Council and its volunteers. We pledged that we would give $100,000 for three years funding the mental health deputy [program] and then asking that the court would put that into the budget following the fourth year. And so, we came up with $165,000 last year, which was not only $2,000 for the first year but $65,000 going forward into year two to cover the salary and benefits, a specialized automobile, and training travel expenses. So, today we are here to complete the two-year commitment, which is another $35,000, but in addition to that, we’re going to also offer donations of $25,000 on top of that, to pay for year three.”
According to a release, the Wellness Council said they have been conducting a “quiet” fundraising drive to fund the Mental Health Deputy Program which allowed them to make the $60,000 donation. The group said the quiet fundraising will continue until the $300,000 commitment is complete. They report currently having $31,600 committed from individual donors and local foundations, and their seven churches third year commitment of $8,400 for a total of $40,000. They said their final fundraising goal is $35,000.
At the meeting, Leftwich thanked Sheriff Curly Wied for embracing the program and bringing it into the Sheriff’s department. She also thanked Chief Deputy Troy Neisner for working on the details to implement the program. Leftwich also thanked Mental Health Deputy Andrew Lopez and Deputy Donnie Templeton for their compassion, de-escalation approach and concern for what’s best for the individual in crisis.
“They’ve been able to defer incarceration of several folks, which is really important,” she said. “That’s not where someone with mental health disorder needs to be and in doing that, they may have a few more calls because these folks have found that they have someone that they can talk to and that helps them feel worthy and through all of their efforts, these individuals have some self-respect that they gain in being able to control those crisis with some help and also have help for the future.”
Leftwich also thanked Judge Ty Prause for helping to start the program and his vision for finding an answer to deal with crisis intervention.
The first mental health deputy for Colorado County began work on May 16, 2022, after the Sheriff’s department designated a deputy patrol officer who had already completed the state required mental health deputy training, according to a release.
Also, during the meeting, Judge Prause read a proclamation recognizing June 26 as “Columbus Lions Club 80th Anniversary Celebration Day” in Colorado County. The commissioners approved the proclamation.
Colorado County EMS Director Michael Furrh spoke to the commissioners regarding an updated Charity Care Policy.
Furrh said the policy needs to be updated every year or every two years. He said updating the policy will put them Texas Ambulance Supplemental Payments Program.
“It’s federal money that comes to the state and helps governmental ambulance services collect more on top of Medicaid and private reimbursements,” Furrh said.
He said the program is only available to government managed services, municipalities and government or county governments.
The commissioners approved.
Furrh also provided an update on standby services agreements for the provision of heightened EMS services during special events, community programs or school events.
Furrh said they provide standby services for special events like concerts where there will be a lot of people. They also provide services for football events, independent school districts and private schools. However, Furrh said prices have not been consistently the same when EMS conducts the standby services.
EMS has created a form that will allow people or businesses to contact EMS to request the form to fill out the type of service needed. Furrh notes that the form will have a two-week warning to help avoid last-minute requests and so that EMS can ensure they have the equipment and staff needed to be able to serve. People will also need to fill out the minimum number of hours standby service will be needed.
The commissioners approved.
