Central Iowa Times

Webster County will detach from its connection with County Social Services (CSS) and join Central Iowa Community Services at the start of the next fiscal year.

“It’s been a long road, and we’re extremely excited,” Mark Campbell, Webster County supervisor, said according to The Messenger, thanking state Rep. Ann Meyer (R-Fort Dodge) who spearheaded the legislation. “She stuck with us through the whole process.”

The new region provides resources that Webster County did not have access to with CSS as well as more established services, including a mental health mobile crisis unit. 

"I am excited to know that we are going to be in a more functional region,” Meyer said. “I’m looking forward to what the future brings with mental health services here in Fort Dodge.”

Under the new legislation, counties looking to leave CSS have the ability to move or form their own mental health region as well as carry reserve funds with them.

CSS is the largest mental health region in the state, hosting 22 member counties. Webster County officials often complained about CSS's inability to deliver services and information to help make decisions for the county, such as how many residents were being served and the cost per resident. Black Hawk County is CSS's largest funder. Webster County fell third in line, contributing $1.4 million each year.

"It’s hard to pass legislation that just affects one part of the state,” Meyer said. “This legislation really was just affecting our region. No one liked to legislate for a small part, but when (legislators) saw the problem that helped push it forward.”

CICS serves 12 counties: Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Jasper, Poweshiek, Madison and Warren.