Clay County Commission

Dan Haglund

The Clay County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 2024-08 in support of a Residential Psychiatric Treatment Facility (PRTF) and bonding bill in regular session on Tuesday in Moorhead.
The resolution, which is still in the formative stages toward the eventual construction of a treatment facility, was presented to the board by Rhonda Porter, Clay County Social Services director.
“This resolution I did share with about 17 counties in our region,” said Porter. “And many of those counties going to take this to their county boards as well in support of our bonding bill and our application as well for some start-up funds.”
Commissioner David Ebinger, Dist. 5, voiced strong support for such a facility.
“This has been something that’s been a critical issue since the ’70s,” said Ebinger. “There was an attempt to go to community-based treatment for people with mental health issues, and they closed down regional facilities that were residential, and they turned people loose and never followed through on local resources.”
Ebinger points to the West Central Juvenile Center as one such place that has filled that need for mental health services.
“When there’s a need, people will come forward,” Ebinger said. “This county has been remarkable in the ability to address the needs of our citizens, but to do things that cane be more cost-effective for the entire region. And this (bonding bill) is a wonderful opportunity to get a badly needed resource for our citizens. I’m really excited to see this happening.”
Commissioner Frank Gross, Dist. 2, inquired about what exactly is being requested in the way of dollars.
Porter said the monetary details have yet to be presented for the construction of a facility, but she has heard rough estimates of between $15 million and $25 million. The location and size of the facility will better determine what dollars will be requested, she said.
Gross wants to know where all the money would come from beyond a potential bond.
Porter mentioned a grant opportunity may fill some of the monetary questions. She said one is coming for applicants new to delivering PRTF services.
Porter’s group had a meeting with Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals (a non-profit agency serving the mental health needs of Minnesota and North Dakota) on Monday, and they do intend to submit an application for a grant of between $100,000 and $150,000 to go toward planning.
“The board resolution is really solidifying the county’s commitment, and the identification that we need this,” Porter said. “In order to make it successful we need some level of bonding to help us with our effort.”
Ebinger asked Porter if there would be emergency resources as well as juvenile services.
Porter stated that there are eligibility requirements for all ages, but that some juveniles would be accepted. But all care levels are still on the table, including stabilization and long-term care, as the facility plans are still being formulated.
“We’ve got this grand idea,” Porter said. “How it will fit together, we’re not absolutely sure at this point.” Porter noted that different building wings or pods could accommodate juveniles and adults separately.
Commissioner Paul Krabbenhoft, Dist. 1, added that cost estimates are just that, and that such projects can run a higher bill and be paid for in stages over several years. He voiced strong support for it.