Mary Sturdy-Martin of Fontanelle will serve as a mental health advocate for several area counties. The Adair County supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding Wednesday, April 9 for the position that is shared between Adair, Adams, Union, Taylor and Decatur counties.
“They’re all the same agreement, it just outlines the duties for all the counties,” Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg said. “We pay initially and then they reimburse us. We’re the fiscal [agent].”
The position is required by state law and is meant to be filled by someone who has, according to Iowa Code, shown “an informed concern for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness.”
During county hospitalization cases, the mental health advocate will represent an individual if the patient is “seriously mentally impaired,” representing the interests of the patient.
Sturdy-Martin served as mayor of Fontanelle between 2019 and 2023. She stepped down in 2023 to spend more time with her family. Her background as a mental health RN and previously serving as the AMN Healthcare clinical program director has allowed her experience within the world of psychiatric care. She holds an American Nurses Credentialing Center Board Certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/shawmedia/f0ae05a6-a579-4d3e-8eda-42d56d978293.jpg)