County scrutinizes Mental Health Dept.
By Donna Comella

Wayne County officials are considering contracting with Coordinated Care Services Inc. (CCSI) to see how they might lower costs (and increase revenues) in the Mental Health Department.

Walworth Supervisor Frank Guelli, who heads the county's Public Health Committee, said that they have to try to make the department more productive, and find ways to lower county costs. According to Guelli, right now, the department isn't generating enough revenue, and so the county has to foot an annual bill of anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.

One of the things the Committee wants CCSI to look at is the way appointments are scheduled. Currently, clinicians do their own scheduling, and doctors appointments are scheduled at the front reception area. Deputy Budget Officer Keith Kubasik pointed out that when people go to the doctor or clinic, all scheduling is done at the front desk. Because there are only two reception windows at the department, concerns of client confidentiality and space confinement will be considered. Kubasik said that he thinks those two obstacles can be overcome, simply by having clients wait their turn in an adjacent waiting room.

The Committee has been studying productivity of the department's employees, determined by how much time they spend actually generating revenue. The productivity rate is at about 50 percent. Kubasik suggested that perhaps they needed to look at the problem from the 'other way around.' He said that perhaps the productivity isn't at a more acceptable 70 percent because there are too many employees for the 'units of service' that actually need to be provided. 'We need to look at it both ways.'

Kubasik said that CCSI could also determine if the department has the right kind of staff. For instance, maybe there are too many substance abuse counselors for the county workload, but not enough child therapists.

Butler Supervisor Dave Spickerman suggested that perhaps CCSI would also look at more than one department supervisor carrying caseloads. John Meyers, a CSEA union representative, was also present and gave the Committee a list of suggestions from employees.

The Committee will meet one more time to finalize a list of what they would like CCSI to analyze. The meeting will be held Thursday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m.

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