The Lawrence school district’s Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities mental health program will continue in the upcoming school year. The service that helps at-risk children in Lawrence has been on shaky financial ground for months, but thanks to a grant extension and financial support from the Lawrence City and Douglas County commissions, the program will continue during the 2006-07 school year without major changes in services.

“It’s somewhat of a change in that it’s more local money,” said Charlie Kuszmaul, WRAP program coordinator. “I’m really enthusiastic about that for a bunch of reasons. One is that they’re our kids and so we should be the ones taking care of them. We shouldn’t expect the federal government to take care of our kids in our community.”

The Lawrence City Commission has agreed to fund $250,000 for the WRAP program in the city’s 2007 budget.

The Douglas County Commission plans to spend $225,000 on the program next year. Both groups will formally approve their spending plans in August.