WAMHC receives Stepping Up grant
Stepping Up Alabama, a program of the state Department of Mental Health, is coming to Marengo County in 2020, the County Commission learned Tuesday.
Patricia Moore, director of the West Alabama Mental Health Center, said the $50,000 grant from the department will allow the agency to hire a case manager to develop the program. She received a Commission resolution in support of the initiative.
Stepping Up Alabama sets up partnerships with law enforcement, local government, mental health and healthcare providers, social service providers, courts and others with the goal of decreasing the number of persons with mental illness and substance abuse in jails and hospitals.
Moore said the six community mental health centers already in the program and are reporting success stories. The WAMHC is one of five more centers that have been funded.
LaToya Witherspoon has been hired as the case manager and will begin training next week, said Moore.
Headquartered in Demopolis, the WAMHC sees about 2,000 patients each year, with so me 800 from Marengo County, said Moore. It sponsors a day program for 88 patients and, when fully staffed, has 125 employees, of which 75 are in Marengo County.
Commissioners approved the receipt of the portion of the Industrial Park Road not covered under FAA rules and, thus, maintaining the entire road.
Commissioners honored two retirees with resolutions. Jackie Davis retired Nov. 19 from the Probate Office after 28 years, and Joyce Morgan retired Nov. 30 from the Public Library after 26 years.
The Commission voted for two personnel issues: moving two employees in the road department to operator status and, effective Jan. 1, allowing employees with more than 480 annual hours accumulated at the end of December 2020 to get paid at least 80 hours.
In other action, the Commission:
- Approved 13 holidays for 2020.
- Granted a liquor license to Magnolia Sports Bar and Grill in Magnolia.
- Approved the $350,000 Community Development Block Grant for repairs to five county roads.
- Okayed the Grand Jury Report.
- Made a budget amendment to appropriate $20,000 to West Alabama Public Transportation to help offest operating expenses in the county.
Bids were opened for inmate communication services at the jail. Commissioners authorized Commission administrator Meredith Hammond and Sheriff Richard Bates will review the three bids and determine which firm will be awarded the contract.
Bids for the publication of the county voter list will be accepted at the January meeting.