Sedgwick County staff present Comcare contracts for inpatient psychiatric services and transitional housing

Sedgwick County staff told commissioners that the Nov. 12 agenda will include two contracts to support behavioral-health services for Comcare clients.

Item K is described in the agenda as an agreement for a doctor or medical provider to furnish inpatient psychiatric services to Comcare customers hospitalized at Ascension (agenda language). Item L is a contract with Mental Health Association (MHA) to provide transitional housing services to assist adults with severe and persistent mental illness, staff said.

Commissioners asked whether these arrangements are new or part of existing services. Joan said the county has arranged housing options with MHA for years and that funding helps ensure transitional beds are available primarily for patients discharged from the state hospital. Tim added that these services are part of the countys requirements as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC).

Why it matters: the contracts provide continuity of inpatient care and transitional housing for adults with serious mental illness, services that staff said support patient discharges from higher levels of care and meet CCBHC obligations.

No formal vote or contract amount was recorded in the transcript provided; commissioners asked clarifying questions and staff confirmed the contracts are intended to ensure bed availability and meet program requirements.