Hays approves $45,481 opioid-settlement grant for High Plains Mental Health crisis center

The Hays City Commission unanimously approved a staff-recommended award of $45,481 from the city's opioid-settlement fund to High Plains Mental Health Center to purchase specialized medical-detox chairs and infusion pumps for a new crisis intervention center.

Don Scheibler, Hays chief of police, said the city created a grant application process for settlement funds and a three-person committee reviewed requests. The committee recommended partially funding a request from High Plains; Scheibler said the settlement funds "are not taxpayer's dollars" and are restricted for use on opioid-substance-use-disorder abatement.

Craig Poe, representing High Plains Mental Health Center, described the center's planned capacity and service area. He said the crisis intervention center at the Hadley Center will include 22 patient rooms and two de-escalation rooms and is expected to serve about 500 clients annually; Poe said the center could draw clients from roughly 28 surrounding counties but "it isn't restrictive" and the center will serve anyone who shows up. Poe estimated the center will add about 50 positions, with roughly 90% paying at least $19 an hour.

The original request filed by High Plains was for $49,965 in equipment; the committee recommended awarding $45,481 for the largest capital expenditures, including detox chairs and infusion pumps. Scheibler noted the state distributes settlement funds to municipalities on an inconsistent schedule and referenced a Kansas attorney general's guide that has sought to clarify allowable uses.

Commissioner Cunningham moved to approve grant funding of $45,481 for High Plains Mental Health Center to purchase chairs for social detoxification treatment and infusion pumps for the new crisis-intervention center; Commissioner Reuter seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Poe said the center's original target opening was Nov. 1 and construction and supply-chain delays may push that timetable, but he said the requested equipment would help provide medical sobering and detox functionality.

Next steps: the awarded funds will be distributed to High Plains for the specified capital purchases and staff will continue to administer the city's grant-review process for future settlement funds.