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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Howard Prairie to host ODFW event ... VIDEO: Woman shares her story of self-injury ... Bear in southeast Medford draws a crowd; police continue to monitor it ... Howard Prairie to host ODFW event ... VIDEO: Woman shares her story of self-injury ... Bear in southeast Medford draws a crowd; police continue to monitor it ... JACKSON COUNTY Jackson County hires guards for Health and Human Services building Staff helping more clients than ever Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted May. 11, 2016 at 3:27 PM Updated May 11, 2016 at 4:18 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted May. 11, 2016 at 3:27 PM Updated May 11, 2016 at 4:18 PM » Social News Jackson County will hire security guards to staff its Health and Human Services building in downtown Medford after seeing growth in its caseload of clients, including those dealing with mental illness. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners authorized a contract Wednesday of up to $166,592 for the Medford-based security firm Maksimum Inc. to provide guards for three years. The guards also will provide security for the multistory parking garage located next to the Health and Human Services building on the corner of South Holly and Eighth streets. Health and Human Services staff members saw an increase in clients after passage of the federal Affordable Care Act in 2010. The act led to an expansion of the number of people covered under the Oregon Health Plan and boosted mental health care coverage. Jackson County became one of the main providers of mental health care for those covered by the plan. In the last four years, the number of county residents on the Oregon Health Plan has skyrocketed from 30,000 people to approximately 60,000 people. Last year, 6,624 individuals received mental health services from the county, according to county data. "They serve a lot of different types of clients, including mental health clients," Commissioner Rick Dyer said. "As a precaution, if there ever is a situation, it's necessary and important to put security in place. They serve a lot of folks with the expansion of the Oregon Health Plan." Federal funding that flows to Oregon and then Jackson County is paying for the majority of the increased mental health care. Jackson County has contracts with coordinated care organizations to provide mental health care to residents on the Oregon Health Plan. County Administrator Danny Jordan said money for the security guards will come primarily from the Health and Human Services budget. The department provides a wide range of services, including developmental disability services, animal care and control, addiction and public health services, as well as a program to help veterans receive the benefits, records, medals and awards they have earned. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted May. 11, 2016 at 3:27 PM Updated May 11, 2016 at 4:18 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501