Federal funds

cover costs

By Fritz Busch

Staff Writer

BROWN COUNTY –Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a request to continue free Heartland Express bus rides until July 1 Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Dean Simonsen, seconded by Commissioner Tony Berg to continue free rides due to anticipated continued need due to the COVID pandemic.

The federal government passed the CARES Act on March 27 which provides funds to transit program to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19, according to the request from Heartland Express Transit Manager Pat LaCourse and Brown County Human Services Director Barb Dietz.

LaCourse said Heartland Express ridership initially diminished in April but is increasing in recent weeks.

In addition, no fares eliminates money handling and tokens by customers and staff and makes transportation available to all community residents who may need to access essential services and do not have other transportation resources.

Commissioner Scott Windschitl asked if Heartland Express buses could deliver groceries to people without other ways to get them.

LaCourse said buses could do so if called to do it.

Commissioners unanimously approved:

* Family facilitator contracts for the 2020-21 school year in New Ulm, Sleepy Eye and Springfield, motion by Commissioner Windschitl, seconded by Commissioner Simonsen.

Family facilitators provide case coordination and in-home family services to eligible students and their families.

* Annual reports of Bridge on Center, local mental health clubhouse and the Local Advisory Committee.

Unmet needs include mental health services for Brown County residents, a disparity identified due to the distance they need to travel for services, due to the shortage of behavioral health hospital beds for acute symptoms treatment.

In-person, psychiatric care is another need. The South Central Community-Based Initiative (SCCBI) recently contracted with Open Door Clinic in Mankato to provide rapid access psychiatry for children.

Bridge on Center is closed due to the COVID pandemic. A preparedness plan is being developed. More public health consultation is needed before a re-open date is set.

Videos of several Bridge on Center members were shown. Members told of how important the facility was for their well being. They praised other programs New Ulm has for them including Coffee With A cop and Shopping With A Cop.

“It’s (Bridge on Center) a safe place, away from hostility and things that trigger me,” said a man who formerly lived in Iowa and finds life much better in New Ulm.

A woman said she had severe depression after losing her mother but that being around her friends and going to Bridge on Center and clubhouse makes her happy and not judged.

Commissioner Windschitl praised human services presenters Julie Hogen, Meredith Jones and Jackie Nelson for the video presentation.

“You did a wonderful job,” Windschitl said.

The videos will be accessible on the SSCBI website.

* Approved adding St. Peter-based Hoffmann Counseling offering mental health services for low-income/uninsured clients with making application to Brown County Human Services for financial assistance, motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Commissioner Windschitl.

* A COVID-19 update from public health and emergency management.

“Mask up Minnesota, keep calm, wash your hands, and maintain a six-foot social distance,” said Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz. “Stay home if you can, have symptoms or are at risk.”

Moritz said events like parades are difficult to deal with due to the difficulty of tracing contacts if people get the virus.

Brown County now has 13 COVID cases and is public health is doing contact tracing.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.