BROWN COUNTY — Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2021 Brown County Evaluation Center (BCEC) Detoxification Division contract Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Dean Simonsen, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp to approve the contract with a daily rate remaining at $443 per day. For uninsured clients, the bill is sent directly to Brown County and the agency will receive an $88 daily discount if paid in full within 30 days.

Many surrounding counties use the evaluation center. There are only a few such facilities in Minnesota.

“We’ve seen an uptick in patients and service needs this year. I think it’s partially due to COVID-19,” said BCEC Executive Director Amanda Schuknecht.

“I certainly appreciate the direction detox management is going. They’re accepting challenging clients,” said Commissioner Dave Borchert.

“We have a good relationship with law enforcement. Detox is here to serve,” Schuknecht said.

Commissioners also:

• Learned from Human Services Director Barb Dietz that a pandemic emergency fund approved by commissioners in August to assist needy people with paying rent, utilities, or other costs due to loss of income or have other financial burdens due to COVID-19, has funding available. The program assists those who did not qualify for regular county emergency assistance.

To date, two applications have been approved for a total of $3,299.70 for individuals who followed through with an individual counseling session with Lutheran Social Services. Up to $50,000 in CARES funding was set aside for the program.

• Learned from South Country Health Alliance (SCHA) CFO Scott Schufman that the organization finished 2019 with a $1.8 milllion net income. That compares to a $12.3 million net loss in 2018.

“We’re having a pretty good year with above budget membership and lower administrative costs,” Schufman said. “South Country reported a $6 million net gain for the first eight months of 2020.”

South Country CEO Loretta Lind said the organization has really been able to work with DHS (Department of Human Services) on things.

“The county work group has had some really good discussions with DHS, focusing on local needs,” said Lind. “I think we’re feeling good about the things we’ve seen. There is an open dialogue which is good.”

Lind said the SCHA’s 33% response rate is the best of any plans.

“Community care connectors are calling members. We’ve performed pretty well, exceeding statewide managed care rates,” said Lind.

• Unanimously approved a two-year, $78,988 DHS community Support Program grant, motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Commissioner Borchert. The grant supports community support services for mentally ill adults in Brown County.

• Unanimously approved a 2021 clinical supervision contract with Sioux Trails Mental Health Center to provide required clinical supervision for children and adult mental health case managers, motion by Commissioner Scott Windschitl, seconded by Commissioner Borchert. Commissioner Simonsen abstained. The rate remains the same at $160/hr.

• Unanimously approved the 2021 Supervised Visitation and Exchange Services Keep Me Safe Contract at $30/hr., motion by Commissioner Veerkamp, seconded by Commissioner Berg.

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