Monday, March 4, 2013 - Lori Elam, Mental Health Redesign

After a month of touring the community, we are returning to The Outing Club on Monday, March 4.  Our guest speaker is Lori Elam, Director of Scott County Community Services.  She will speak to the club about Iowa’s Mental Health Redesign giving a brief overview of what the county’s responsibility is regarding mental health services and funding and about mental health redesign at the state level.   

Ms. Elam is a native of Scott County.  She graduated from Cornell College and attended Western Illinois University.  Ms. Elam has worked with disabled individuals in various capacities for over 28 years at Vera French Pine Knoll Residential Programs, the Handicapped Development Center and Scott County Community Services.   Currently she is the Scott County Community Services Director and oversees the mental health budget for the county, as well as the General Assistance program and the Protective Payee program.  She also serves as public guardian and conservator for several individuals who have no family and need assistance in making decisions.  Ms. Elam is passionate about helping others so they may become productive members of the community or at least live peacefully and safely in the community.