Title
Service Provision Agreement with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).
Body
Recommended Action: Approve the agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign.
Background: The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) has provided a funding contract to COMCARE for a Corrections Liaison Specialist for the last several years. As many as 30% of the 1,100 offenders released to Sedgwick County from Kansas correctional facilities require mental health care upon their release. This funding supports a staff person for the following functions:
1) Provide care coordination services to offenders preparing for release from Kansas prisons in person, by video, phone, and/or email; working with discharge planners, risk reduction and reentry (R3) staff, and unit team counselors to deliver the services covered by this agreement; ensure access to treatment upon release has been arranged and secured; acting as liaison to COMCARE to help set up these treatment services, and coordinating the subsequent delivery; and continue to engage offenders through short-term case management services and follow up.
2) Participate in multi-discipline team meetings with parole/reentry staff, and any other treatment provider, peer mentor, or other person working with the offender on his/her reentry/reintegration and risk reduction efforts, to provide input into case planning and ensure all COMCARE services are available to the offender and update parole officers/reentry case managers regarding the mental health needs of offenders.
3) Assist offenders and Corrections staff in identifying and accessing peer mentors, housing, and other community resources as necessary.
KDOC provides the sum of $64,701 to cover the salary, benefits, and travel costs for the Corrections Liaison Specialist. COMCARE agrees to cover the other costs related to this position, notably a monthly allotment for cell phone reimbursement, training, furniture, computer and office phone, which constitute an in-kind match by COMCARE.
There were no significant changes to the contract this year.
Alternatives: Without this contract, COMCARE would not have the resources to allocate a full time staff person to perform the duties listed above. The position allows COMCARE to focus efforts on supporting individuals involved in the correctional system who have serious mental health issues.
Financial Considerations
Term: 7-1-18 to 6-30-19
Funding: $64,701
Cost Center: 31035-252
No additional budget authority is being requested, sufficient budget authority exists in the 2018 budget for this agreement.
Policy considerations: All Sedgwick County policies were followed in the review of this agreement.
Legal considerations: The authority for this action is K.S.A. 19-101 and a simple majority vote is required.