Title
CONTRACT WITH PROJECT INDEPENDENCE, INC. FOR CONSUMER-RUN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RESEARCH IN A DROP IN SETTING.
Presented by: Marilyn Cook, LSCSW, Executive Director, COMCARE.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the contract and authorize the chairman to sign.
Body
Background: Project Independence Inc. (PI) is a mental health consumer-run organization that offers social activities, opportunities for leadership, education, training and research for individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness. Services are provided in a drop-in setting with paid, trained consumer peer counselors and are designed to reduce consumers’ social isolation. Transportation services are offered to consumers with no other means of transportation to Project Independence. Programming offered at PI includes: a 12-Step Recovery Group, Schizophrenics Anonymous, Pat Deegan Medication Program (Common Ground), and a Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) group. The contract is a renewal of the prior year’s agreement.
The contract requires monthly financial reports and quarterly program reports. Before payments are issued, copies of all receipts for expenditures during the prior month must be received and reconciled to verify reported expenses. Additionally, the contract requires Project Independence to retain a professional bookkeeper or accountant to pay expenses, prepare tax statements, and develop all financial reports.
Analysis: Project Independence is an important component of the full array of supports built to maintain mental health consumers in the community. Socialization is one of the most challenging, yet important elements in a complete recovery.
Alternatives: Project Independence is the only consumer-run organization in Sedgwick County.
Financial Considerations:
Cost: $59,000.00
Funding Source: 310246-12 State funding
Term: 07/01/11 through 06/30/12
Policy Considerations: All Sedgwick County policies have been followed.
Legal Considerations: The authority for this action is K.S.A. 19-101. A simple majority is required.