After 23 years of providing mental health services to Cook County, the Human Development Center (HDC) closed its doors on Wednesday, Nov 14.
The sign on the door said it all: “HDC has been committed to serving the people of Cook County for many years. Unfortunately, as you are aware, we have been unable to hire a therapist and other full-time staff who live in the Grand Marais area.
“Our goal has always been to provide high quality care and we feel that we can no longer do so in Cook County due to our staffing shortage. We are engaged in conversations with community organizations about ways to support the transition services.
It is with great sadness that over the next few weeks, HDC will be ending Outpatient Therapy, ARMHS and CTSS services in the Grand Marais and Grand Portage area.”
Saprina Matheny, MSW, LICW, director, Youth and Family Services signed the letter.
Last year at this time Cook County’s HDC was offering services from three licensed psychotherapists, each with their own specialties and programs, to keep up with the unique needs of the Grand Marais community: Dr. Matthew Webb, PsyD LP; Shana Roberts, MSW LGSW; and Cecilia Bloomquist, MSW LICSW.
HDC provided expertise in young childhood services and delivered mental health consultation for local day cares and interventions for children ages birth to 5 years old. HDC medical director Dr. Steve Bauer, MD and board certified psychiatrist, offered psychiatry services for Cook County clients and consultations with area physicians. And dialectical behavioral therapy was available to Cook County clients via telemedicine. Skill services for youth were also offered.
Alison McIntyre, Director of Cook County Public Health and Human Services, said, “PHHS has been assured that the closure of the Grand Marais office will not impact services that are provided to individuals with disabilities in Cook County through the Employment Connection Program. HDC will also continue to provide 24/7 on-call mobile crisis response to the area. To connect with mental health crisis resources in Cook County, call 218-623-1800 or 844- 772-4724 or text MN to 741 741, more information is also available online at www.letstalkmn.com.
The notification that HDC was closing came to Cook County Public Health and Human Services on November 13, 2018, which announced that the center would be closed the next day.
“HDC provided an example of the notice that was sent to current patients regarding the office closure which provided resources and contact information for referrals,” McIntyre said. “Current patients as well as any individuals who were not seen by HDC but would like more information about behavioral health services, can contact Public Health and Human Services at 218-387-3620 or 1-800-663-6771.”
Last November HDC added two new employees to their team: Mandy Podlewski who provided outreach services for adults and Dan Dupay who provided skill services for children. But even with those employees, HDC was still in need of adding three new positions: A CTSS/ ARMHS worker, a part-time employment specialist, and an office manager.
And in the end, they just couldn’t fill necessary staffing jobs.
Headquartered in Duluth, HDC is a community mental health center with offices in four counties in northeastern Minnesota and one in northwestern Wisconsin.
Programs offered through HDC include addiction services, adult and case management, adult rehabilitative mental health services, children’s therapeutic and supports, community support programs, dialectical behavioral therapy, early childhood mental health services, eating disorder treatment, and school-based services.
Moving ahead, HDC patients have been referred to other agencies— Sawtooth Mountain Clinic—Outpatient Therapy 387-2330; ACCEND Services CTSS & ARMHS 866-539-0996 or 218-724-3122; local therapists Suzabelle Janicek 651-491-6581, Kelly Hawsen 218-370-8773, and Sherri Moe 218-766-1795; Cook County Human Services 218-387-3620, and Grand Portage Human Services 218-475-2166.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call 218 387 3620 for a regional intake social worker.
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