County to place mobile integrated health contract amendment on April 28 action agenda

Melissa Casey, community health manager in Public Health and Human Services, briefed the commissioners on a contract amendment for the county’s mobile integrated health program provided by North Mason Regional Fire Authority. Casey said the department’s grant from the Washington State Department of Health funds clinical services added to existing syringe service programs and that the contractor is now fully staffed — including two advanced registered nurse practitioners, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse and a peer specialist.

Casey said the amendment will fund additional staff time through the end of the contract term and purchase laboratory equipment to run immediate testing (kidney and liver function and other analyses) so patients can be assessed and moved toward treatment more quickly. Commissioners asked about the source of the funds; Casey confirmed the work is funded through the Department of Health drug‑user health program grant and staff recommended placing the contract amendment on the April 28 action agenda.

Why it matters: County officials framed the amendment as expanding clinical capacity for a mobile unit and increasing the ability to start patients on treatment more efficiently by providing point‑of‑care lab testing. The item will be presented for formal action at the April 28 meeting.

Next steps: Staff will place the contract amendment on the April 28 action agenda for commissioners to consider.