Title
Contract renewal for Community Based Services with the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas.
Body
Recommended Action: Approve the agreement authorize the Chairman to sign.
Background: This contract with the Mental Health Association (MHA) outlines the terms and conditions for the funding of several community based programs designed to assist severe and persistently mentally ill adults, and seriously emotionally disturbed youth, as well as their families. These programs include specialized residential services, adult case management flexible funds, family services, and the Chat Line.
COMCARE refers clients to the MHA programs funded through this contract. Specifically, COMCARE reserves 10 long-term and 12 short-term residential placements through this agreement. These residential services assist COMCARE clients with community reintegration, diversion and discharge from state hospitals, and crisis resolution. Flexible funding allows MHA to assist individuals with a mental illness that are receiving case management services with specific needs that arise during treatment for which the client is unable to pay. Flex funds can be used to avert a crisis, meet basic needs, or support employment or educational activities. Family services are designed to benefit the consumer experiencing a serious emotional disturbance and their family members. This program provides the training and support necessary to ensure the engagement and active participation of the family in the treatment planning process, and with the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills learned during treatment. Training is provided to family members to increase their ability to provide a safe and supportive environment in the home and community for the client. MHA's Chat Line is a listening and referral telephone support service open to all residents of Sedgwick County. The program is designed to provide a listening service to assist callers' feelings of loneliness and offer positive coping skills. It is utilized as an alternative for individuals who are looking for support, but do not require the services of COMCARE's crisis line.
This contract is a renewal. The Chat Line, which had previously been funded under this contract but was eliminated from last year's agreement because of budget concerns, has been readded this year, increasing the total cap by $35,000.00. No county mill levy funds support this contract, which is paid from state grant and fee-for-service revenue.
Alternatives: Without this contract, clients would either lose access to these important services, or would be on a waiting list to receive them. In particular, MHA is the only provider in the community of residential and family services.
Financial Considerations:
Cost: $558,682.00
Funding Source:
$473,682.00 310246-13 Adult Case Management, State Grant
$35,000.00 310026-13 Crisis Therapy, State Grant
$50,000.00 310386-13 Children's Case Management, State Grant
Term: 01/01/13-12/31/13
Legal Considerations: The authority for this action is K.S.A. 19-4001, et seq.
Policy Considerations: All Sedgwick County policies have been followed in the development of this renewal agreement.