The McLean County Board on Thursday approved formation of a new council to guide how local behavioral health funding is spent, four months after putting a previous panel on hold.
The board, meeting Thursday, approved formation of the new Mental Health and Public Safety Fund Advisory Council, which board chair Catherine Metsker said will add structure and contribute more effectively. The council will make spending recommendations as an official and permanent advisory group to the county board.
Previously, the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council [BHCC] — an ad hoc committee composed largely of mental health experts in the area — made spending proposals. The BHCC was placed on hold in March, amid questions on how plans and proposals should be made.
Thursday’s action means that “when people understand their roles, they will then be able to work together. And I think that’s really where the challenge was, nobody truly understood what role they were playing,” said Metsker.
Funding for behavioral health needs in the county come from shared sales tax dollars contributed by Bloomington and Normal that are combined to create the Mental Health and Public Safety Fund.
Opioid prevention coordinator
Also on Thursday, the county board approved the first use of the county’s opioid settlement to bring in an opioid prevention coordinator, to be provided by Bloomington-based Chestnut Health Systems. The county is slated to receive $2.2 million over the next several years as part of the settlement.
County administrator Cassy Taylor previously noted the coordinator’s pay represents only a small portion of the settlement funds. Metsker suggested there may be other strategies to consider.
“I am not aware of anything in particular, I think there’s just a need,” Metsker said after the meeting. “We see it all the time in the news, and unfortunately we see deaths that are occurring, and this is to try to help.”
The McLean County Coroner's office reports there have been 14 opioid overdose deaths so far this year.
