Title
Contract renewal for Community Based Services with the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas.
Body
Recommended Action: Approve the agreement and 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, and the Chat Line.
COMCARE refers clients to the MHA programs funded through this contract. Specifically, COMCARE reserves 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. 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. 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.
Financ...
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