[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6519517,"mediaKeyId","5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850","parentId",5355015,"title","Guidance Center seeks continued county funding as it expands under CCBHC model; commissioners ask for service and cost details","audioSeconds",283,"startMs",1035000,"endMs",1318000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850&start=1035&end=1318","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850/thumbnail_1035000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6519517/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Guidance-Center-seeks-continued-county-funding-as-it-expands-under-CCBHC-model-commissioners-ask-for-service-and-cost-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519517-4e5d0a11ac13bb3273069eea3fd2d52e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439899&Signature=ECC0ng-tDR~ZepqZ0bYJCxXHOily5eS7G6K1laDiI9xBgg0jhDh7sMllh0ijtLMe8MQv3oX6G01Tylmt3RdLc-lAvhxjaprdWXtNNyCjdNwLP6qi5olHrVRvb5AKarvH0i9zeHXvJ94bdeRKInjd94xeXikLTuGXvJMVe1JjdpFcWJrVOAWSsx6Rnws6Q4tQ9r0PSKvRPgtnBMMr2hLPQuN6VOt1HC-Vyf7ztJoeoGSMnDNdWC8~PUa6FW8FABwqeTMUo9z9J8kYoXLjMFalJlJiYeyTPKJeEjUgSg-Itd5N4G8fxuU-SvzI0W-nnmM~Up6OpqKR-y5TzacBcEs~ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth County, KS","date","2025-07-10T15:38:03.11Z","article","The Guidance Center asked the Leavenworth County Commission to continue stable funding for its Leavenworth clinic and crisis stabilization services, describing a recent shift to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model and plans to expand staff and services across Atchison, Leavenworth and Jefferson counties.

Stevie Durkin, chief executive officer of the Guidance Center, told the commission the CCBHC model brings new state funding that pays per service rather than via block grants and allows the center to expand services for uninsured residents. “We are still a community mental health center, but the organization that I came back to last year is now a certified community behavioral health clinic,” Durkin said.

Paul Slobodnick, the center’s chief financial officer, described the organization’s recent finances and program costs. He said the organization’s 2024 budget was roughly break-even, with an approximate $19.5 million budget and a small surplus. He identified two programs with notable costs: the crisis stabilization (scribe) center in Leavenworth, costing about $1.1 million (largely grant-funded), and public transportation costs around $983,000. Slobodnick said the CCBHC payment model should increase revenue as the organization expands services but that the Guidance Center remains dependent on county support to maintain solvency.

Service expansion and staffing
Durkin and Slobodnick said the Guidance Center projects adding about 75 positions systemwide to meet CCBHC reporting and service requirements; the presenters said the majority of those positions would be community-facing (case management, hospital liaisons, clinicians) and that they expected most of the new roles to be located in Leavenworth County, with a follow-up breakdown to be provided to commissioners upon request.

Access and fees
Commissioners asked how the center manages care for uninsured patients. Durkin said a sliding-fee discount is used and that the lowest fee currently can be as low as $15 when a patient provides financial documentation; she said the full fee for an appointment can be as high as $185 in some cases when documentation is not immediately available. Commissioners pressed for clarity on frequency and causes of complaints that appeared in public reviews; the center said it plans to institute ongoing patient feedback surveys and to invest in staff and electronic record tools to improve access and responsiveness.

Quality, partnerships and jail/field responses
Durkin described existing models the Guidance Center operates or has supported, including a co-responder model with law enforcement and a jail liaison program providing therapy and linkage to care for incarcerated individuals. She said the center is building partnerships with medical providers and community organizations and noted progress in Kansas’s mental-health rankings since adoption of the CCBHC model.

Request and next steps
Durkin asked the commission to consider continuing the same county funding level as last year to support the Leavenworth clinic and crisis stabilization services. Commissioners thanked the presenters and requested follow-up information: a county-specific breakdown of how many of the projected new positions will be placed in Leavenworth County; more detail on the sliding-fee schedule and how often full fees are charged; and additional quality metrics the Guidance Center will use to measure access and outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Meeting for July 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Guidance Center told the Leavenworth County Commission it needs continued county funding as it expands under the state’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model and plans to add staff and services across three counties.","taxTitle","Leavenworth County, Kansas","taxId",53898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519508,"Port Authority and LCDC unveil public education campaign, ask county for restored stable funding; request totals $331,292 for 2026",3522,6357000,2835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850&start=6357&end=2835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850/thumbnail_6357000.jpg","/articles/6519508/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Port-Authority-and-LCDC-unveil-public-education-campaign-ask-county-for-restored-stable-funding-request-totals-331292-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519508-62705d0256bf8ef2a29a54094997ea15/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439899&Signature=Z2vIxnkCvtm2qMfP0KSf0~TNbqPgQwvyEW6ualvg0CIEXQ3ARHuxrTtFgLXJajSdqPXhsPNU3WHZqWOrUCnMiL6I4XFplTNWxOr50hsi9nz7bEUUwHL~eRJomCwTvIeeYjkOUAAQ6mK25u2GUQyFHZXHlLQxuq1Di914vwfXnNNGf8sZUUKzqA9oPpM-NHX7Y-mehQhBN7pIDE1Ex4bv2c0s9voKLg4nuR70LCD8qOuMPVbDpCFHgVWMgUDeMcQj9W9xPVUoE8T4OQeGlS5jhmDy88NftgfaqNaI2k0gXdBVqUYPorIq-Gn50CdlPMSEh3-JtJp5vN7ZxE6YY9eXYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County Port Authority members and Leavenworth County Development Corporation (LCDC) staff presented an education campaign to explain their economic-development work to the public and requested restored, steady county funding for 2026 operations.

Greg Cause, a Port Authority member, described the campaign as a response to public unfamiliarity about what the port authority and LCDC do. The campaign — developed with an outside firm (identified in the presentation as Golden Shovel/Golden Shoe agency) — will include polling, tailored messaging for different local communities, social media, public meetings and a press release. Cause said the campaign aims to explain how strategic economic development can raise commercial tax base and help lower property-tax burdens across the county.

Funding request and reserves
Port Authority directors asked the commission to consider a 2026 county contribution of $331,292. Port Authority representatives said the organization has reserves (presentation cited roughly $700,000 in reserves) and historically larger county support; they said county funding previously approached the $300,000 range before declining to a much smaller level in recent years. Lisa Hack, LCDC executive director, said the campaign costs are $30,000 and the earlier survey cost $20,000 ($50,000 total contracted with the marketing firm).

Economic development rationale
Presenters cited local examples of return on investment: the Tonganoxie business park (Hills Pet Nutrition) and other projects that produced capital investment and new jobs. They argued larger industrial parks today often need 300–500 acres and significant upfront capital (presenters estimated a very rough $25–30 million for initial development of a 400-acre park, depending on utilities and infrastructure).

Commissioner concerns and conditions
Commissioners pressed for clarity about how county funds would be used, governance and oversight. One commissioner asked whether Port Authority or LCDC would accept a county policy requirement that the county have a representative on LCDC’s executive committee if the county is a primary funder; Port Authority members said the board would need to consider that proposal. Commissioners also asked whether the Port Authority planned to use reserves for specific projects; presenters said no specific project used that money at present.

Next steps
County officials said they would consider the Port Authority’s 2026 funding request during budget deliberations and asked the organizations to provide any additional detail about campaign outcomes, governance and how the requested funds would be allocated. Presenters said the education campaign would launch after briefing local governments and that investigators had found 78% of polled residents view economic development positively but that many opposed new taxes.","The Leavenworth County Port Authority and Leavenworth County Development Corporation previewed a public education campaign about economic development and requested $331,292 from the county for 2026 operations and program support.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519513,"First Judicial District CASA asks county to maintain funding to support child advocacy and visitation services",467,2758000,3225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850&start=2758&end=3225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850/thumbnail_2758000.jpg","/articles/6519513/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/First-Judicial-District-CASA-asks-county-to-maintain-funding-to-support-child-advocacy-and-visitation-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519513-8944ad1b592158381030e733981863c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439899&Signature=Xb1-idhuobmo6kOc7KGgA8xIhPTnPX~ohFixpDTChjiCLpq8w2jgan-GGpJCiPrg0~ohU2UYoJxHdzwLewGfZE6~zd-rxUyP0YlgLjqTdG5Ty8nfLXBXdnWMBgXi8aWBXmvll1FnA1lEZgrAAS3ctuppzEC3qIWZVkyAXrzdNzkxKBTxJ3vf-bkrmK1bHhUvBlBAok-urvBPhc-pPfUyPlAb3udQHlKtxt9hyWVlYQpHJ0J1rH3y~LfugIV-e4o9LjiRk5e45Zk1i7J01JZru6jm1IHVSLYI77CqTzKrTS~~z6eFrDbH7qFMFyRYB-ITnKBgITqi-L-i-ibHnCBd7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kelly Meyer, executive director of the First Judicial District CASA Association, presented the organization's services and funding request to the Leavenworth County Commission, asking the county to continue its financial support for CASA’s child advocacy, supervised visitation and child-exchange programs.

Meyer described the child advocacy center in Leavenworth, which provides forensic interviews for children aged roughly 3 through 18 and records interviews for use by law enforcement, the Department for Children and Families and prosecutors. She said CASA provides on-site therapy through a partnership with the Guidance Center and coordinates medical exams with Children’s Mercy. CASA’s advocates also provide long-term case advocacy for children the court has identified as a “child in need of care,” often remaining assigned for the life of a case until permanency is achieved.

Financial request and scale
Meyer said CASA’s request to the county was in the low $71,000s (presenter described the figure as approximately $71,000). She noted CASA served about 500 clients from Leavenworth County last year and described the per-client county support as roughly $130 for services that can include advocacy, supervised visitation, forensic interviews and referrals for medical or counseling needs.

Partnerships and outcomes
Meyer said CASA trains volunteers using the National Children’s Advocacy Center curriculum and emphasized the program’s role as the judge’s “eyes and ears” — volunteers report to judges and attend training sessions that include visits from the chief judge. When asked about CASA’s relationship with law enforcement and the child-protection agency, Meyer said the county’s law-enforcement agencies and the Department for Children and Families participate on the multidisciplinary team and watch forensic interviews in real time. She also said CASA tracks outcomes and referral needs but warned that federal and regional grant funding has been reduced and that CASA’s state and federal funding streams may be uncertain going forward.

Commissioner questions focused on CASA’s caseload, overlap with juvenile-corrections services and funding risks. Meyer said CASA does not frequently recommend termination of parental rights — it is used as a last resort — and that Judge Loudon regularly reads CASA reports and engages with volunteers. Commissioners thanked CASA for its work and said they would consider the funding request during budget discussions.","The First Judicial District CASA Association described its supervised visitation, child advocacy and forensic interview services and requested roughly $71,000 in county support to serve about 500 Leavenworth County clients last year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519522,"Commission OKs intent to exceed revenue-neutral levy for county and special road fund; both measures pass",142,903000,1045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850&start=903&end=1045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5355015-5e63a2a1fa3772ccbb885408c9c49850/thumbnail_903000.jpg","/articles/6519522/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Commission-OKs-intent-to-exceed-revenue-neutral-levy-for-county-and-special-road-fund-both-measures-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519522-c4c32c8c7c8135bb93ce5dae9d100474/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439899&Signature=jZgbdM4GOoCwE--~sAFBbRjtZVVo27E66rwh7qhose7ogONtWUH9TrB76ENgvsMcvFUgydY-epc64-jxNR5AGxqGMT7QFZVTZxLLL5JBJRpKuGCfmDkim-cd1yXXRaHe~fBlC65rYeckbJR5RSvzDXYRariy8r5zd3Ed2mAGv858Eat4W~l9aHPrnH9ORdkaXtzOXIKwV4wU66aWvRhD9CjSc62RHTtVuIvL0fIk3Z9OBoHhzf8fQiAjj-55DfXrfhoFBtjCmSzCww0wf0XsBWNBlx9KQiDYCEY~Wzqr7UgqqcWHjF0bzSUbxCmFJfiNbAGPXvkbeZ51bqbtHemO2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth County Commission on an initial vote approved two resolutions indicating the county's intent to levy property tax rates that exceed the revenue-neutral rate for tax year 2025.

The resolutions — numbered in the packet as Resolution 2025-22 (general county funds) and Resolution 2025-23 (Leavenworth County local service/road fund) — were presented to the commission with staff explaining that state statute requires the commission to indicate whether it intends to exceed the revenue-neutral levy. Staff said adoption at this meeting sets the maximum mill levy; the commission may lower it later but may not exceed it after the notice is filed.

Commission discussion focused on timing and the ability to revisit the levy while finalizing department budgets. One commissioner said the vote was to “lock in where our max will be,” and another commissioner said they would support the resolution while still pressing for specific budget reductions later in the cycle, listing potential cuts totaling about $741,000.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2025-22 (intent to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate for countywide general funds): Approved on roll call, tally reported as 4–1.
- Resolution 2025-23 (intent to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate for the county’s local service/road fund): Approved on roll call (tally recorded as unanimous in the meeting record on that item).

What it means
Adopting an intent-to-exceed resolution is a procedural step required under state statute to notify taxpayers and the state that the county is considering a mill levy above the revenue-neutral rate. The commission’s staff told commissioners the actual budget and final mill levy will be finalized later (budget approval occurs in August), and the commission can reduce but not increase the levy above the amount indicated by these resolutions.

Next steps
Commissioners said they expect further budget deliberations in coming weeks and reiterated that final mill levy decisions will follow the department budget reviews and the August budget adoption process.","The Leavenworth County Commission voted to approve two resolutions signaling intent to levy property tax rates that exceed the revenue-neutral rate for tax year 2025: one for general county funds and one for the local service (road) fund. Both measures passed on roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Guidance Center seeks continued county funding as it expands under CCBHC model; commissioners ask for service and cost details

Port Authority and LCDC unveil public education campaign, ask county for restored stable funding; request totals $331,292 for 2026

First Judicial District CASA asks county to maintain funding to support child advocacy and visitation services

Commission OKs intent to exceed revenue-neutral levy for county and special road fund; both measures pass