photo by: Journal-World

The west side of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.

Douglas County commissioners at their Wednesday meeting will consider a grant application to help fund mental health and substance abuse care to youths who are in juvenile detention.

The grant opportunity supports the ongoing partnership between the Kansas Department of Corrections, or KDOC, and the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center to ensure continued access to assessments and related services. As outlined in a memo included in the agenda, Douglas County Criminal Justice Services is requesting $91,900 to fund the initiative. If the state approves the funding, the grant would provide funding from July 1 through June 30, 2026.

In 2023, the Kansas Legislature passed HB2021, requiring the KDOC to provide juveniles in detention with a standardized risk and needs assessment within 72 hours of admission, a completed or updated case plan within 48 hours after the assessment, and access to behavioral health services.

This agenda item is featured on the County Commission’s consent agenda, where all items are approved in one motion. As of Tuesday, there are no regular agenda items included in the agenda.

The County Commission’s business meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Douglas County Commission meeting room at 1100 Massachusetts St. The meeting will also be available via Zoom.