Board hears update on program

By MEGAN COOPER

Mt. Pleasant News

The Henry County Board of Supervisors heard an update from Henry County Coordinator of Disability Services (CDS) Sarah Berndt during Thursday?s regular board meeting.

?Everything has pretty much been business as usual,? said Berndt. ?I have a funding participation agreement here for Wellness Recovery Action Program (WRAP) with First Resources. They already have the money we agreed to give them and the program has been launched. The WRAP program is available in Keokuk, Washington and Henry Counties.?

First Resources Corporation of Fairfield has trained facilitators who will be offering group meetings for individuals challenged with mental and physical health issues. The sessions are scheduled to last about two hours, once a week for 12 weeks.

WRAP is a structured system for monitoring uncomfortable and distressing feelings and behaviors. People who have been dealing with a variety of difficult mental health issues for many years and are working hard to feel better and get on with their lives developed this system.

Each person involved in the program will develop an action plan or guide for wellness that is specifically designed for him or her.

Mary Ellen Copeland, PHD, developed the groups and has had national success in helping people regain valued roles in the community and at home. The groups offer networking ideas, ideas on how to stay safe and create major life changes. WRAP plans work very well for many people, said information received from First Resources Corporation.

For more information on the program, call Carrol at 641-472-4106.

After the discussion of WRAP, Berndt discussed with the board the new management plan that is now in place after regionalization began July 1.

?I have the management plan here and I thought we could go over it,? said Berndt. ?It?s basically designed so that we can help people live the way they want to live and to offer clients individualized integrated services.?

Berndt covered the first 10 pages of the management with the board, and will continue at a later meeting.

In other board news, the board:

? Received a $3,191.52 rebate from the Southeast Iowa Area Crime Commission. These were reimbursement funds for the previous fiscal year and covered classes held, manuals for jails, dispatch, etc.

? Discussed Chairman Marc Lindeen?s sub-committee report with E911. ?We talked about upgrades and the new design that will be taking place and we also discussed our budget,? said Lindeen. ?It?s in adequate shape.?

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet again in regular session on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 9 a.m. in the