Currently Des Moines and Lee counties in southeast Iowa share a jail transition program, but soon Washington, Louisa and Henry counties will be joining the program. The program that offers mental health services for those in county jails as well as establishing services upon a person’s release was discussed at this week’s Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting. Bobbie Wulf, mental health and disability services coordinator for Washington County, explained there is a coordinator in place in Des Moines and Lee counties who reports positive results in the past year. Sheriff Jerry Dunbar added that the goal of the program is to lessen the number of re-arrests by helping people access mental health care.

The cost of the program for the five counties is $175,000, with each county paying $35,000 annually. This year the program is funded by mental health dollars and next year it will be part of the county budget. No formal action was taken at Tuesday’s meeting.