The 708 Board Building at 620 Dakota Street Crystal Lake.
Interim Executive Director Todd Schroll pointed out twice that would result in the 708 Board’s having no influence in the process because State government would be contracting directly with another agency.
He readily conceded that “from a cost standpoint,” giving up the “Screening Assessment Support Services” function would save money.
He pointed out that the 708 Board uses master’s degree people as screeners, while others use therapists with bachelor’s degrees.
The transition period will take three-to five months Schroll said.
The draft cost-benefit analysis Schroll distributed showed an estimated annual savings of $347,182.
Pioneer Center has indicated an interest is assuming the role.
Newly-appointed Board member Rob Routzahn’s position was
“Let SAS administration go elsewhere. Let’s cut out the middleman.
Board member Connie Meschin, given a one-year extension on her term, suggested giving the contract back to the State and asking them to give it to a county agency.
Giving up the state contract will require letting go about 4.5 employees.
The meeting will start at 6, but be preceded by a committee meeting at 5:15 this afternoon at 620 Dakota Street in Crystal Lake.
Anyone who has experience with the Mental Health services in McHenry County would in my opinion say that the SAS services are some of the best in the Mental Health system.
The services of pioneer center are by most users standards awful.
To even make the suggestion that they should take over this service shows a limited understanding of this agencies background.
its great that there is an effort to reduce and save money but if you are making those decisions without input from the actual clients of the mental health services.
If you will save money only to provide inadequate and diluted service then what have you gained?