Commission briefed on MHIT school agreement, supported-housing funds and several advisory-board appointments

Sedgwick County staff told commissioners on Wednesday that the county will present a Mental Health Intervention Team (MHIT) agreement with USD 259 and a separate contract to access state-supported-housing funds for people with severe and persistent mental illness.

Joan, a county behavioral-health staff member, told the commission the MHIT agreement with USD 259 covers the district's 34 schools. Joan said the previous week the commission had approved a small $1,000-per-year agreement with another partner to allow county staff to provide on-site services; this item is the broader MHIT agreement with USD 259. Joan said the agreement enables staff to provide intervention services at school sites.

Joan also described the supported-housing funds contract with the state, which provides last-resort housing dollars that are hard to access because eligibility criteria are tight. She said the funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and often run out before year-end; the contract gives county behavioral-health providers a path to apply for those funds when needed.

Earlier in the agenda review, commissioners were advised of three appointments: a mental-health-advisory-board appointment by Commissioner Bluebaugh, a Comcare advisory-board appointment by Commissioner Wise, and an IDD advisory-board appointment by Commissioner Powell. Joan and staff noted a brief MPA certificate presentation and two "hometown heroes" recognitions to be included on the Aug. 13 agenda.

No final votes on the MHIT agreement, the supported-housing contract or the advisory-board appointments appear in the transcript excerpt provided.