Bear River Mental Health Report

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah - January 2, 2012.  Rob Johnson, Board Member of Bear River Mental Health, presented the 2011-12 Yearly Bear River Mental Health Audit review to the county commission.  It also goes to the State Auditor. There were no issues with the audit. 

 

“With the school shooting in Connecticut there is more emphasis on mental health said Commission Chair, Bill Cox, but there will be less funding in the future.   “This year,” said Johnson, “expenses were over $268,000  more than revenue this year.  Federal Medicaid revenue to Utah went down by $1 million.    The Federal government pays 70% and the State of Utah pays 30% of the total cost.  “We have one of the better match rate than other, most states have a 50/50 match,” said Johnson.  “It is based on per capita income and since we have more children than other states our per capita income is statistically less." 

Funding structure is built on county funding first.  There is a 20% match of the 30% from the state for counties to leverage to $7.4 million in funding.  Because most of the cost goes for personnel  who deal with mental health problems, personnel expenses account for 76% of expenses and administration 14%. The rest is for maintenance and operation of facilities.    Mental Health services are in Rich County schools one day a week and it provides services at clinics in Garden City and Randolph.