TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A grant will be used for a behavioral health system for residents at the Shawnee Co. Juvenile Detention Center.
During the Shawnee County Commission Meeting on Thursday, May 23, the Shawnee Co. Department of Corrections was approved to apply for a grant worth more than $414,000.
The grant will cover the cost of creating a behavioral health system for residents at the Juvenile Detention Center in compliance with legislation passed in 2023.
The program will ensure juvenile residents are offered mental health services no matter how long they stay in the center.
”We do have a plan with Family Service and Guidance Center to provide evaluations to come in and do an evaluation and set up appointments,” said Angela McHardie, Deputy Director, Shawnee Co. Juvenile Detention Center. “So, we can do some more wrap around services with that youth once they are released. But then, we also have long-term youth that tend to be in detention for 30 to — 30 days to longer. They have a care coordinator that would be assigned to this position. To come in and do evaluations and do group and individual counseling as needed.”
The funding will cover the salary and benefits for two new positions and contracts with the Family Service and Guidance Center and Family Peace Initiative.
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