County employees will be trained in unique rehabilitative therapy

In the first Commissioners meeting of the year the board convened with Dan Cothren as chair. They began the meeting by reappointing the members of the County Fair board, the Board of Equalization, and by renewing the service agreement with the county museum. Additionally the commissioners agreed to match the funding for the community pool with the Town of Cathlamet up to $50,000.

Duncan Cruickshank of Wahkiakum Health and Human Services (WHHS) told the commissioners about his effort to renew employees training in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). MRT therapy is used to treat criminal offenders, helping them to understand the consequences of their actions. The closest training would have been in New Hampshire, and would have been too costly for his agency to attend. Instead, he brought the training to Cathlamet, an action which may also benefit local businesses. Great Rivers Behavioral Health is funding the project, which will cost approximately $13,000.

Brandi Beedle from WHHS encouraged the commissioners and other department heads to attend the National Incident Management Systems training. This training would help senior government officials learn their role in emergency and disaster situations. WHHS will cover expenses for the training, which could be offered to lower level employees in the future.