Amber Russell, ICAPP director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa said in a news release, “As a recipient of ICAPP funds, The Cass County Child Abuse Council, is among leading organizations in the state that are taking on the national issue of child abuse,” and they are proud to partner with Cass County. Russell said child abuse is preventable, but it will take individuals and organizations coming together to tackle the issue from a statewide, community, and individual level.

Kristen Templeton, group facilitator, said the ICAPP funds will ensure the Cass County Child Abuse Council can expand community awareness.The local council meets quarterly, and is currently seeking new members. In addition to the Parents as Teachers program, the council conducts community awareness. In April, the council and Washington Elementary School in Atlantic partnered up to promote Pinwheels for Prevention. Students participated in a coloring contest and the pictures were displayed in downtown Atlantic business windows to raise awareness in Cass County. Prizes were awarded to the winners of the contest. Pinwheels were also displayed on the Cass County Courthouse lawn.

ICAPP funding derives from federal and state appropriations, and birth certificate fees. Every year, Iowans also have the opportunity to support ICAPP by donating a portion of their state income tax return through the Check Off Child Abuse campaign. All funds raised directly support child abuse prevention programs in local communities.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors have sent a letter to the County Board of Health, in support of the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) at the Cass County Memorial Hospital. The BHU employees 21-people.

The facility, which serves the mental health needs of patients in Cass and other counties, is in danger of closing, because, according to officials, since CCMH became a critical access care facility, in-patient behavioral services have become a financial burden. Unlike other services the hospital provides, the costs to care for mental health clients, especially those who come from outside of Cass County, are not reimbursed on a cost-basis. Last year, the unit lost $500,000 in un-reimbursed costs.

During Wednesday’s meeting in Atlantic, Cass County Supervisor Chuck Rieken read a portion of the letter that‘s been mailed to the Board of Health. Rieken said “It is the Cass County Board of Supervisors position and belief that the behavioral unit is an indispensable part of this community but by providing necessary mental health services to those residents in Cass County as well as others who reside or who are placed here in various residential care facilities.”

Rieken and the other Supervisors have said many people are very much in favor of the facility staying in Cass County. He said the current BHU is highly efficient. The average stay for a mental health client at the facility is approximately seven days, or about four-days less than at other, similar facilities.

Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer, said he’s been asked why the BHU should be kept in Cass County. He says because in the long-run, it will save the County money. If it were to close, the county would have to send it’s clients to one of a handful of other such facilities in the State.

The Board of Health is scheduled to make a decision on the matter at a future meeting.