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Douglas County approves one-time solvency assistance for local crisis line
Summary
The Douglas County commission unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to authorize county administration to execute agreements to provide one-time solvency assistance to Headquarters for Kansas after staff, the provider, and partners described recent audits, a $100,000 loan, and steps taken to stabilize operations.
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a motion on March 25 to authorize one-time solvency assistance for Headquarters for Kansas to address cash‑flow shortfalls and audit-related liabilities.
Bob Trojanski, Douglas County’s director of behavioral health projects, introduced the item and said the county had reviewed requested financial information. Dan Watkins, who presented on behalf of Headquarters for Kansas, outlined a multi-year set of financial problems, steps taken to stabilize accounting and operations (outsourcing chief financial services, moving payroll to ADP, and contracting auditors), and one-time liabilities including a required repayment to the state. Watkins said Headquarters is requesting $300,000 in assistance and proposed splitting funds between April and June if needed.
Megan Bridges, Headquarters’ director of crisis services, described operational changes tied to the 988 transition: callers are now geo‑routed and Headquarters can be reached via a press‑2 option for local crisis services. Bridges said Headquarters has about 30 full‑time and 30 part‑time employees and an annual budget near $4 million. She and Watkins told commissioners that KDADS reimbursements had been low in prior years and that KDADS had recently adjusted reimbursements closer to actual expenditures (about 95%), improving cash flow.
Commissioners asked about audit completion and future funding needs; staff confirmed audit drafts were expected and that staff would retain oversight and require reporting from Headquarters. The board moved and seconded a resolution authorizing the county administrator to execute required contracts and agreements and approved the motion unanimously.
Next steps: county staff will finalize contract language, coordinate monitoring and reporting with Headquarters and KDADS, and return any material contract amendments to the commission for review.
