County, clinic plan to team for counseling

Wahkiakum Mental Health and the Cowlitz Family Health Center (FHC) may soon team up to provide mental health services in the Family Health Clinic in Cathlamet.

FHC Executive Director Dian Cooper told the Wahkiakum County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that the move would a result of the Obama Administrations Health Care Reform Bill.

The legislation will provide funding for cooperative efforts to provide services in clinics to support primary care providers and enhance care for patients.

Over 50 percent of clinic patients who are referred to mental health professionals never follow up, Cooper commented.

She and Wahkiakum Mental Health Director Chris Holmes have discussed the idea. Cooper thinks it will be possible for the clinic to contract for part-time psychiatric service and master's level mental health counselors to be at the clinic at least one day a week.

Holmes said the services would be provide on contract, so there would be no new employees for the county.

"It sounds good as long as they understand that should the funding dry up, the employees dry up," said commission Chair Blair Brady.

"I'm fully supportive," said Commissioner Lisa Marsyla. "I just want to make sure all the hidden costs are covered and that it doesn't cost the county any money."

Cooper said the funding is supposed to be continuing funding with administrative funds built in.

In other Human Services business Tuesday, the commissioners approved hiring of lead counselor for the county's Chemical Dependency Program.

Holmes and Health and Human Services administrator Judy Bright said they would hire Devonna Edwards to fill the position which has been vacant for several months.

Holmes said lead counselors are in demand and employers must compete to hire one. Several candidates turned down offers to interview because of the county's low salary and the need to relocate.

"Ms Edwards comes with experience treating multiple populations in settings as diverse as Detox and Intensive Outpatient, and consistently excellent references," Holmes said in a written recommendation to the board.