COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FACE DEEP CUTS

A LACK OF STATE FUNDING AND OTHER MONEY SOURCES MEAN DEEP CUTS FOR WOODBURY COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND PERSONNEL.

COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR PATTY ERICKSON-PUTTMANN SAYS  ALMOST 651-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CUTS WILL BE MADE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR STARTING JULY 1ST:

THOSE CUTS INCLUDE TWO FULL TIME MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS AND THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT PROGRAM.



THE COUNTY'S FUNDING SUPPORT OF THE FRIENDSHIP HOUSE PROGRAM, INCLUDING ITS EMPLOYEES, IS INCLUDED IN THE CUTS

ERICKSON-PUTTMANN SAYS THAT DOES NOT MEAN FRIENDSHIP HOUSE, WHICH IS OPERATED BY SIOUXLAND MENTAL HEALTH, WILL CLOSE:



ERICKSON-PUTTMANN FEARS THERE WILL BE WAITING LISTS CREATED FOR CLIENTS BECAUSE OF THE SHORTFALLS.

SHE SAYS THIS IS THE BIGGEST STEP BACKWARDS SHE'S SEEN BY THE STATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE FUNDING IN HER 23 YEARS ON THE JOB.