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County briefing backs increased Pyxis funding as judges report most juvenile cases tied to substance use, mental health
Summary
Commissioners discussed an amendment to the county’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) agreement to modestly increase funding for Pyxis, a longstanding Comcare partner, after a site visit where Judge Jackie Kelly and others said 60–80% of juveniles seen in court have substance-use or mental-health needs.
Sedgwick County commissioners discussed an amendment to the county’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) agreement Friday that will modestly increase funding to Pyxis for work supporting youth services, after county leaders reported striking juvenile mental-health and substance-use figures from a recent site visit.
Commissioners and staff said Chairman Beatty, Rusty, Steve Stonehouse and others visited the juvenile center and met judges. Judge Jackie Kelly told commissioners that roughly 60% of juvenile cases she sees are affected by mental-health issues; Stonehouse said screening data from juvenile intake and assessment suggests the share may be closer to 80% for youth flagged for substance-use or mental-health needs.
Item M on the agenda is an amendment to the county’s CCBHC agreement to increase Pyxis funding ‘‘just a bit,’’ staff said; the briefing did not specify a dollar amount. Pyxis has been a county partner for more than 20 years and provides after‑school programming and targeted services for youth who meet state criteria for severe behavioral-health needs, staff said.
Why this matters: County staff framed the amendment as part of an effort to provide earlier, upstream interventions for children to prevent juvenile offenses and later adult corrections, homelessness or other adverse outcomes. Commissioners suggested the item might be pulled from consent and discussed during new business so the right people can be in the room for comments.
Discussion-only items: The meeting included a briefing and expressions of support; staff did not record a formal vote during the agenda-review discussion.
Ending: Staff said the item could be pulled for discussion on the full commission agenda so commissioners can hear more detail and ask questions about program design and funding levels.
