Montgomery County commissioners discussed a request July 28 from the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center (Girard) to support an application for Secure Care designation that would make the center eligible for state reimbursement for some placements.

Commissioners were told the detention center’s share of consortium costs is now a significant county expense and that Secure Care designation could shift some placement costs to the state (the center’s director described a reimbursement level cited as approximately $325 per bed per day). The commission’s administrative office drafted a sample letter of support and asked commissioners whether the county should sign and whether the county should seek supporting letters from local partners (police chiefs, sheriff, county attorney, district judge).

Commissioners agreed that letters of support from the county commission and local criminal‑justice and child‑welfare partners would strengthen a Secure Care application and directed staff to circulate the draft letter for signatures and to solicit additional letters from local agencies. Commissioners noted the county’s share of the regional center’s budget is based on assessed valuation and that Montgomery County has a comparatively large share of the cost burden among consortium members; they said pursuing state reimbursement through Secure Care designation could reduce the county’s net costs for placements that meet Secure Care criteria.

Staff said funds sent by the state for Secure Care placements would offset county charges when placements meet the state’s criteria and that the center is pursuing the designation with KDOC. Commissioners asked staff to collect supporting signatures and forward them to the center’s executive director for state advocacy.