Commission hears from Four Corners Behavioral Health

By Patsy Stoddard

The Emery County Commission approved a waiver of fees for use of the museum by the Emery County Historical Society. Commissioner Ethan Migliori said the historical society brings in great speakers and they talk of the history of Emery County. The county will continue to allow the group to use the museum without a fee as they work to keep alive the history of the county. The historical society is required to come back each January to ask for this fee waiver.
Karen Dolan from the Four Corners Behavioral Health discussed what Four Corners responsibilities are for community mental health and substance abuse disorders. Dolan said they will have their public hearing in February. Four Corners has been functioning since the 1980s and originally included San Juan County, but they dropped off. She said mental illness is very costly to society. They serve the mentally ill, those with addictions, those in jail and address the societal ills that come along with mental illness and addiction including robbery and theft. They work with the local sheriff’s office on getting the mentally ill the help they need. In the three county area 95 people were hospitalized with mental illness related problems in the past year. There are 13 centers similar to Four Corners across the state. “Four Corners is a private non-profit entity. We operate like a business. We are fiscally sound in how we spend our money. We are also a health care, student loan pay back center where a graduate can come and work for us for three-five years and have their student loans forgiven. They gain valuable work experience and it’s a great deal for us. We encourage them to buy homes in our area and stay here,” said Dolan.
Housing is available in Grand County and Carbon County and some Emery County people are housed in those places.
Soon there will be a grand opening for a 12 unit facility. This will serve the homeless and mentally ill. Dolan told of a man who was homeless in Moab for 25 years and he will now be housed in one of these units. They are also helping him find work. “He has a home now, and he is so happy,” said Dolan.
She said it’s much cheaper to help a homeless person find housing than it is to keep them in jail, many homeless people commit some type of crime so they can go to jail for the winter when the weather is so cold. Putting them in an apartment is much cheaper.
Four Corners is involved with drug court where people learn to live sober. Funding for Four Corners comes from each of the three counties which makes them eligible for state and federal funding. The counties fund $490,000. Their budget is $5,700,000 and they have 87 employees and served 1,500 people last year.
They have crisis care and intervention and a psychiatric facility. Four Corners has a 12 member board. In the last six months they served 262 people in Emery County and provided 2,000 hours of group therapy. The public is welcome to walk into the facility for crisis intervention. Dolan said next month at the public hearing she will ask for feedback from the commissioners and the community on Four Corners.
Dolan said legislation might be introduced to reduce the penalty for drug possession. Sheriff Greg Funk said this could hurt the county because they have to pay for all the costs to house the prisoner for a misdemeanor. In felony cases, the state contributes to the cost for incarceration.
Jennifer Thomas the Emery County director said they have prevention programs in all the schools that teach life skills. They have an early intervention program for any children needing help. These programs have led to increased GPA and less bullying. They are part of Parents Empowered, messages to promote parental involvement and prevention programs. Four Corners also provides free mental health assessments.
The board approved a cell phone stipend and credit card for Connie Jensen and Michael D. Olsen.
The board ratified out of state travel for Keith Brady to attend the travel show in Quartzsite, Ariz.
The board approved the Letter of Engagement in the amount of $23,000 between Emery County and Government Matters LLC for lobbying and other services, per agreement, on land issues and legislation. Commissioner Migliori said Randy Johnson represents the county in Washington and at the state capitol.
In the commission reports, Commissioner Cowley said he visited with Marc Stilson and there is still an opportunity for farmers who didn’t get in on the pressurized irrigation system to participate in the future. Funds are being worked on to help make this happen. He attended the Emery County Special Service District number one meeting. “I appreciate the work they’re doing there. I toured the museum last week. What a great facility. I visited with Wade at the landfill on the issues there. We will address the loads coming in there,” said Cowley. He was involved with a telephone conference with the bouldering group and Ray Petersen, public lands director. The bouldering group is very willing to work with the county.
Commissioner Brady said he attended a meeting to discuss the relocation of the state prison. A group has formed to look at the possibility of presenting a case for relocation in this area. The group is looking at options.
Commissioner Brady attended the Green River Conservation District’s meeting and plans are underway for work on the diversion dam to start in the fall when water levels are lower. He attended the Quartzsite RV show in Arizona. The travel bureau attends to get the word out on Emery County and invite visitors here. He met with Judge Steve Stream to see how the courts work.
Commissioner Migliori said he attended the prison relocation meeting too. He said there is much controversy on the prison relocation. Rural areas weren’t even considered in the discussion. This newly formed committee will explore options. The Carbon County Chamber of Commerce has put the committee together and will work to put together a letter of interest to submit to the prison relocation committee. Commissioner Migliori said Emery County was well represented at the meeting. “We don’t know where it will go, it’s just exploratory,” said Commissioner Migliori. He attended a meeting on pipeline safety and before anyone does any digging they need to call 811 to have it marked. If you dig and something goes wrong you are held responsible if you haven’t had the ground marked for pipelines. Someone will be sent out 24-48 hours after a call is made. “The mammoth exhibit open house was a great event. We need to maximize the use of the museum,” said Commissioner Migliori.
Commissioner Paul Cowley was appointed to the Emery County Advisory Council on Aging and Nutrition.
Commissioner Cowley and Jeff Horrocks were appointed to the Emery County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Keith Brady and Kathi Kearney Reaves were appointed to the Southeastern Utah District Health Department Board. Commissioner Brady, Commissioner Cowley, and Gayland Dugmore to the Emery County Fire Protection Special Service District.
Commissioner Paul Cowley, Michael Ralphs, and James Nielsen were appointed to the Emery County Weed/Mosquito Board.
Commissioner Migliori was appointed to the Castle Valley Special Service District Administrative Control Board.
James R. Nelson, Laren Huntsman, and Mistie Christiansen were appointed to the Public Lands Council.
Tina Carter and Commissioner Migliori were appointed to the Scenic Byways Committee.
Dixie Fish was appointed to the Emery County Care and Rehabilitation Board.
Commissioner Brady was appointed to the Four Corners Mental Health Board.
Kent Petersen, Bevan Wilson and Dean King were appointed to Emery County Special Service District number one.
Verla Jensen was appointed to the Emery County Recreation District representing Cleveland Town. Tracy Addley was appointed to the Emery County Fire Protection District representing Orangeville City.
Jeannie Jensen, Coleton Baker, Lisa Jewkes and Valerie Goold are volunteers for the Museum of the San Rafael and Pioneer Museum.
A 3 percent wage increase for Tracy Clark and Cory Worwood for completion of their six month orientation period was approved. Melissa Arrien was appointed to Head Lifeguard. Ariauna Downard was approved as 3/4 time Water Safety Instructor I with pro rated benefits.