The Marion County Board of Supervisors voted to appeal a ruling by the Iowa Department of Human Services to not extend the grant for the Mid-Iowa Behavioral Health Region.

The board received a letter from DHS in June regarding the ruling. The provisional region was made up of Marion and Mahaska Counties to provide mental health and disability services. Mahaska County has already decided to appeal the decision.

The board also decided to look into joining another region, so they’re in compliance with Iowa code. They will look to become a part of either County Rural Offices of Social Services or South Central Behavioral Health. Counties must be connected to be a part of a region.

Mahaska County is looking to join South Central as a back-up and this would allow Marion County to join that region, if they so choose.