Just as quickly as the need to find a new service agency to care for Marinette County’s troubled youth arose, the issue is resolved. The Human Services Board met Tuesday to consider entering into an agreement with Advocates for Healthy Transitional Living to provide foster care services at the Crossroads property for the remainder of the year, at a cost not to exceed $95-thousand. Health and Human Services Director Robin Elsner says the company has previously provided trauma and mental health care services for juveniles in his department and he was pleased with their work.
Earlier this month it was announced that the Marinette County Group Home Association no longer wanted to run the Crossroads juvenile facility. Since then, the county has been in talks with Group Home to buy the property and contract with another agency for care services. Elsner says Crossroads’ capacity will be reduced from eight beds to six while the new agency works to establish the appropriate licensing.
The county had budgeted more than $418-thousand for care at Crossroads and, as of June 1st, will have paid out just over $143-thousand to the Group Home Association. The Human Services Board forwarded the agreement with Advocates for Healthy Transitional Living on to the full county board who unanimously approved it.
The Marinette County Board Tuesday also voted to approve the tentative purchase of the Crossroads property on Schact Road for fair market value contingent upon reaching an acceptable agreement with the Group Home Association. Once the facility is in the county’s possession, they will establish a lease agreement with Advocates for Healthy Transitional Living, who will also be responsible for the maintenance of the grounds. Corporation Counsel Gail Mattison says the actual purchase agreement will still have to be approved by the board.