Spirit Lake, IA (KICD)--Officials from seven counties in Northwest Iowa will gather this week for a regional planning session in response to the state of Iowa's plans to redesign the way mental health services are delivered and administered .

Senate File 2315 aims to use regional management in an effort to save money, eliminate administrative duplication, offer consistent access to services in both rural and urban counties, and provide a clear point of accountability and responsibility.

Iowa State Association of Counties Government Relations Manager Linda Hinton will be on hand to provide technical assistance about questions of governance , funding, and operations in Northwest Iowa. Representatives from Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, and Palo Alto County will be on hand.

Wednesday's public meeting will start at the Dickinson County Courthouse at 9:00 a.m.