Florence County Human Services, located in northeastern Wisconsin, had difficulty locating and accessing qualified mental health professionals who were able to meet state-specific Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) program qualifications. Addressing this challenge was a priority to meet the increasing need for services in the community.
Through a strategic partnership with Jackson and Coker, Florence County implemented a locum tenens solution that met the requirements of this rural county, underscoring the need for expanding mental health access in underserved regions.
Client Challenges
Florence County faced:
Rural Isolation: Florence County is extremely rural, bordering the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with residents often driving over two hours for basic mental health care.
Severe Provider Shortage: The county only had one mental health provider for nearly 4,600 people. Compared to the Wisconsin state average of 1:400, this represented an 11.5x deficit.
Lack of Locums Awareness: Local administrators were unfamiliar with locum tenens as a staffing solution and, because of their limited time, had not done any outreach to locum tenens agencies to explore the possibilities.
Tailored Solution
Our multi-faceted approach:
Hybrid Staffing Model: The telehealth approach combined with periodic in-person visits was well-received and matched a grant the county had been awarded.
Rapid Response: Within a week, we were able to find a suitable psychiatric provider, filling a critical gap.
Resource Sharing: Understanding that rural counties often share providers, we facilitated connections with neighboring counties for broader impact.
Implementation Highlights
Florence County expressed high satisfaction, citing excellent communication, flexibility, and a sense of genuine partnership. The hybrid model is replicable across other counties and states but will require tailored approaches due to differing regulations and funding structures.
“Jackson and Coker has been outstanding in guiding us through certification under current state statutes, enabling Florence County to access critical mental health and AODA services, which has been a long-standing goal. Their clear communication, expertise, and patience in answering our questions have been invaluable. Special thanks to Ellie Rhinehart for her exceptional support and collaboration.”
Ann Price
Director of Florence County Human Services
Results + Impact
Partnering with Jackson and Coker allowed Florence County to maintain compliance with Wisconsin Department of Health Services Chapter 75.49 standards and other regulatory staffing requirements, even during workforce shortages.
Stabilized Coverage
Locums tenens providers allow for service continuity, sustaining productivity without overburdening permanent staff and minimizing downtime and overtime costs.
Protected Care Standards
Florence County clients have reported improved access, more consistent contact with qualified providers, and greater satisfaction with AODA program responsiveness.
Better Provider Experience
By sharing workflow and other documentation efficiencies from other programs, locums professionals have supported process improvement and cross-training opportunities.
Key Takeaways
Stronger Compliance Posture: The hybrid solution supports a sustainable, flexible service delivery model that maintains access to AODA treatment and upholds standards despite workforce challenges.
Locum Tenens as a Workforce Strategy: Integrating locums professionals into the staffing model builds flexibility, ensures continuity of care, and demonstrates proactive leadership in maintaining compliance and service capacity during workforce shortages.
Looking Ahead
Florence County Human Services will continue to view the partnership with Jackson and Coker as a key component of its staffing resilience and quality assurance strategy. Florence County intends to explore limited expansion of its locum tenens model in areas such as clinical supervision, specialized AODA programming, and integrated behavioral health services. Strategic expansion will allow the department to meet increasing service demand, pilot new program components, and continue building internal capacity while maintaining quality and compliance.
About Florence County
Florence County is in northeastern Wisconsin on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan border about 1.5 hours north of Green Bay. It covers 488 square miles and has 4,558 permanent residents as of the 2020 census. Over 50 percent of the land is publicly owned, so visitors won’t feel crowded enjoying their favorite four-season outdoor activities here. Florence County has 265 lakes for fishing, swimming and boating, 165 miles of rivers to paddle, tube float or fly fish including two official state designated “Wild Rivers”, the Pine and the Popple. Eighty percent of the county is forested with miles of scenic trails to hike, bike, ATV, horseback ride, cross country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile.
About Jackson and Coker
Jackson and Coker Locum Tenens connects healthcare organizations of all sizes with physicians and advanced practitioners because we believe everyone deserves compassion and care. With 40+ years of fostering purposeful relationships, we transform lives through locum tenens staffing by combining unparalleled service and tailored solutions. Jackson and Coker Locum Tenens is part of the Jackson Healthcare® family of companies.
For rural counties facing physician shortages:
A hybrid locum tenens model can maintain compliance, preserve staff capacity, and expand access without long-term hiring delays.
