Cook County PHHS getting support from ‘partner’ counties amid staffing challenges
The Cook County Public Health and Human Services Department faces a staffing shortage after several resignations and one termination tied to ongoing investigations. According to the organizational chart presented during monthly board meetings, the three teams that provide social services to the county have eight vacancies among 19 listed positions.
Despite being short-staffed, Interim PHHS Director Plamen Dimitrov said he was confident the county could continue to provide mandated services.
“It’s taking effort from everyone in the organization,” Dimitrov told WTIP. “Everyone is working in covering a lot of different duties and working some additional hours, prioritizing their work and making sure that client services and compliance are our number one priorities.”
Dimitrov was appointed interim director following the resignation of former Director Allison McIntyre during an August County Board of Commissioners meeting. During the same meeting, Behavioral Health Services and Clinical Manager John Spieker and Adult and Home and Community-Based Services Supervisor Merrisa Chapman also resigned.
With fewer managers available, staff have been encouraged to seek support outside Cook County.
“We ask our team members to reach out to peers and other supervisors for help,” Dimitrov said. “But we also have 80 other counties in the state of Minnesota who are doing the same type of work, and we’ve made sure to let staff know that they can reach out for advice and support to other counties. I’ve connected a couple of our social services case managers with staff members at Carleton County for direct consult and advice if they need it.”
Cook County already contracts with Carlton County for child support services. Dimitrov said Carlton has been a partner county for “a long time.”
On Sept. 3, the Cook County Board of Commissioners contracted with Dave Lee to supervise and support behavioral health staff. Lee previously served as director of Carlton County Public Health and Human Services and is a member of the Minnesota State Advisory Council on Mental Health.
Two temporary workers were also hired to perform mobile crisis response. That team now reports to the Public Health Team, led by Grace Grinager. Previously, the team reported to Spieker.
The county is currently interviewing candidates for a permanent PHHS director. Dimitrov said during the September board meeting that he would not apply for the position.
At that same meeting, County Administrator Kristen Trebil-Halbersma identified improving workplace conditions as a priority following an investigation that revealed employee dissatisfaction. Dimitrov said his main strategies to address that concern would be listening to staff and providing additional support.
WTIP spoke with Interim PHHS Director Plamen Dimitrov about the staffing challenges and efforts to support the county. The audio of that interview is below.
Josh Hinke September 27, 2025
