Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND – Washakie County Commissioners met with state legislators Tuesday to look at alternative funding for the expansion of Cloud Peak Counseling’s Lighthouse center, the only current social detoxification facility in Northern Wyoming.
Currently, under Title 25, patients entering the Lighthouse for care are assessed for possible risk (suicide or self-harm) or alcohol or drug abuse, and held until they have been stabilized or released by court order. During the 10-day hold period, patients are cared for at a cost of $325 per day, plus physician fees, paid for by Lighthouse.
According to Cloud Peak Executive Director Mark Russler, the five-bed Lighthouse center housed almost 70 patients in 2016, from Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, Fremont and Washakie counties. At the current rate, Cloud Peak houses overflow patients in local motels until room becomes available.
The cost of expansion, $96,000, could be offset by Washakie, Big Horn, Park, Hot Springs and Fremont counties each contributing $6,000, before formally requesting $70,000 from the Legislature. Legislators have previously publicly warned of budget shortfalls, which could make the project hard to fund.
Under a new state grant, called a gatekeeper grant, Lighthouse could benefit from $65,000 to help offset the expansion to an 11-patient facility, with secure housing for at-risk patients.
At Tuesday’s session, attended by Russler, representatives Mike Greear and Nathan Winters, and State Senator Wyatt Agar, the commission agreed to craft letters of support, along with the other participating counties, before the grant deadline of Feb. 17.
“This is the ultimate model for the gatekeeper grant, “remarked Greear, “a grant through the Department of Health would be ideal, but at this time we don’t have the luxury of guaranteed appropriations.”
Lighthouse, as pointed out by Russler, operates at a lower cost per patient than the state facility, and “offers an option to people who would otherwise be involuntarily held and it helps them make an easier transition back into the community.”
Earlier, the commission witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of former chairman Aaron Anderson to his second full term on the commission. Terry Wolf was appointed new chairman immediately following.
During the day’s agenda, the commission appointed Brandon Greet and Tom Brewster of Ten Sleep, and Harley Bowen and Rick Six of Worland, to the Washakie County Weed and Pest Board.
The commission also retook possession of the former Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center building on 10th Street, after Executive Director Jenn Rasmussen and board member Justin Smith announced that the chamber had formally abandoned the building, and were looking for a new, permanent location.
The previous chamber building had tested positive for mold, and was in general disrepair. The commission will decide the fate of the building at a future session. Meanwhile, the chamber will find a suitable temporary home for the digital sign in front of the former headquarters.
The chamber office is currently behind ANB Bank at 111 South Seventh.