The Carver County Crisis Team, a pillar of mental health support for more than 40 years, is facing major changes after decisions made by the Carver County Board of Commissioners in December 2024.

Financial pressures and operational hurdles have led to a plan to outsource mental health services to Canvas Health, a private agency, effectively ending the county’s long-standing, direct role in crisis intervention.

What the Crisis Team Does

Since 1983, the Carver County Crisis Team has been providing mental health services to residents. Operating 24/7 since 2003, they’ve handled emergencies ranging from psychiatric assessments to connecting people with necessary and urgent resources. The team’s deep community ties with local hospitals, schools and law enforcement have made it a trusted service for those in need.

In 2023, the team conducted more than 1,350 crisis assessments — 64% of which were in hospital settings. However, rising costs and staffing struggles have put this long-standing program at risk.

What Led to This

• Loss of Key Contracts: Ridgeview Medical Center decided not to renew its contract with Carver County, effective Jan. 1, 2025. This removed 64% of the team’s workload and a major source of revenue.
• State Funding Cuts: The county will no longer serve as a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, reducing workload and funding.
• End of McLeod County Partnership: McLeod County will handle its crisis services independently, further shrinking Carver County’s budget.

What’s Happening Now

With these changes, the crisis team’s capacity is taking a hit:

• Fewer Assessments: Projections show a drop from 1,352 annual assessments to 480.
• Revenue Loss: The county faces a $705,574 shortfall in 2025 unless taxes are raised.
• Staffing Challenges: Persistent job vacancies have made it harder to meet service demands.

The Shift to Canvas Health

In a press release, the county stated: “Carver County is not discontinuing crisis services and will continue to ensure sustainable, high-quality support for residents through the partnership with Canvas Health. The phased implementation will prioritize continuity of care during the transition.”

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, Canvas Health took over Carver County’s mental health crisis services. The nonprofit will provide:

• 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response: Community-based crisis assessments.
• Jail and Juvenile Center Services: Evaluations for individuals in custody.
• Triage Calls: Handling non-crisis inquiries.

Canvas Health has experience delivering similar services across Minnesota and has a reputation for quality care. However, the transition comes with start-up costs of $346,086 in 2025 and an annual operating budget of about $1.45 million beginning in 2026.

Why People Are Concerned

Many worry this shift will erode the personalized care the Carver County team has provided for decades

 “If this motion had passed four years ago and I had to navigate a phone tree, see what type of sliding scale I would qualify for, maybe I wouldn’t be here,” said Josh Miller, a Carver County resident whose family relied on the team after a traumatic event.

Community members and crisis team staff also raised concerns about future quality of care.

“Our clinicians have decades of experience, and they respond face-to-face within an hour,” said Tammy McCarthy, a crisis team member. She warned that transitioning to Canvas Health might delay response times and reduce service quality.

Community Support and Petition

A petition on Change.org opposing the outsourcing plan has garnered more than 800 signatures. Comments highlight the critical role the crisis team plays in the community. One supporter wrote, “I can honestly say I would not be here today without the Carver County Crisis Team. Having local care for an immediate response was life-saving.”

What Comes Next

The Board of Commissioners approved:

• Staff Reductions: Eliminating 20.5 full-time positions within the crisis team.
• Canvas Health Contract: A two-year agreement running through December 2026.

Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts and stay engaged. As Carver County resident Sydney said during the meeting, “Reaching out for help when you feel like giving up is nearly impossible. Why would you add such an embarrassing step to the process?”