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WALKER- Cass County’s Health, Human and Veteran Services Department balanced rising caseloads, major financial oversight responsibilities and expanded public health initiatives in 2025, while preparing for even greater service demands in the year ahead.

   Health, Human and Veteran Services Director Brian Buhmann presented the department’s 2025 annual report to the county board, opening with thanks to staff for their work securing non-levy funding to support services and reduce pressure on local taxpayers.

   At the core of the department’s work was managing a wide range of financial and support services. The HHVS accounting department processed about 3,724 warrants totaling more than $8.88 million and nearly 932 receipts worth $13.47 million in 2025. In addition, staff submitted nearly 13,914 health care claims to insurance providers, seeking almost $2.6 million in reimbursements.

   The department’s income maintenance work also remained steady. Through the Minnesota Family Investment Program and Diversionary Work Program, Cass County partnered with employment service agencies in Brainerd and Bemidji, as well as the Leech Lake Band and Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, to help families find work and connect with housing, child care and transportation.

   Those efforts helped Cass County post a self-support index of 61.03 percent, placing the county within the state’s expected performance range.

   Mental health, child protection and substance use services continued to see heavy demand throughout the year. Buhmann stated Cass County’s adult and children’s mental health teams underwent staffing changes in 2025, including the addition of a new supervisor in July and two new mental health social workers through internal restructuring.

   Department staff also focused on professional development to better serve local families. Social worker Kara Goehring attended the National Indian Child Welfare Association conference in Orlando, where she received training on legal updates, best practices and culturally responsive care under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

   Goehring said the conference provided valuable tools to strengthen support for Native children, families and tribal communities in Cass County.

Looking ahead, Buhmann said the department is preparing for implementation of the Minnesota African Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act in 2026. The new law is expected to require significantly more staff time for child protection cases. To prepare, the county plans to hire a second case aide and fill three social worker positions, including two new roles.

   Public health also played a major role in the department’s work during 2025, particularly in emergency preparedness and opioid response.

   On Sept. 10, Cass County Public Health took part in a full-scale emergency preparedness exercise at the Pine River Fairgrounds and the Pine River-Backus School District. The exercise simulated a hazardous materials release and school bus crash, testing the county’s ability to provide shelter, reunify students with parents and coordinate with partner agencies during a crisis.

   Buhmann also shared the county continues to address opioid misuse through its opioid committee, which includes county commissioners, health care providers, tribal representatives, law enforcement, schools and community members. The committee helps guide spending of federal opioid settlement funds using principles focused on saving lives, investing in youth prevention, promoting equity and ensuring transparency.

   In 2025, Cass County Public Health provided community education and distributed 125 free nasal naloxone kits. Settlement funds supported several local projects during the year, including a LUCAS CPR machine for the Federal Dam Fire Department, peer recovery services, sober housing, school prevention programming and medication for opioid use disorder at the Cass County jail.

   Buhmann said the department’s work in 2025 reflected both the growing complexity of local needs and the county’s continued effort to provide coordinated support for residents across all stages of life.

   For the complete HHVS Annual report go to www.casscountymn.gov.

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