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Sedgwick County approves employment agreement to hire child psychiatrist for Comcare
Summary
At a special Aug. 30 meeting, the Sedgwick County Commission unanimously approved an employment agreement to hire a child psychiatrist for Comcare, including a $274,400 salary, a $10,000 one-time hire bonus and county sponsorship of immigration paperwork to meet a time-sensitive application window.
Sedgwick County commissioners on Aug. 30 approved an employment agreement to bring a child psychiatrist onto Comcare’s medical staff, a time-sensitive hire tied to a fellowship placement and immigration authorization needs. The motion passed unanimously after a brief presentation and questions about pay and staffing needs.
Assistant County Counselor Adrienne Clark told the commission the county would sponsor the physician’s immigration paperwork so the candidate could meet the state application window. “We are I am bringing this item to you today for the approval of an employment agreement for, an individual who's interested in working at Comcare as a child psychiatrist,” Clark said while presenting the contract. Clark also detailed two changes from the version the commission had previously reviewed: the start date moved to 07/01/2025 and the agreed salary is $274,400 with a one-time $10,000 hire-on bonus paid 30 days after the candidate begins work.
County staff emphasized the hire responds to an urgent local shortage of child psychiatrists. A staff member summarized the KU Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship — a two-year post-residency program the county helped seed — and said the candidate is in year two and will spend part of her fellowship working at Comcare. The staff presentation included workforce data: “In Kansas, there are 69 child psychiatrists,” and the Wichita area has roughly six, with one long-serving Comcare psychiatrist due to retire at year-end and carrying a caseload the staff said was about 189 children.
Commissioners asked how the salary compares with private-market pay and whether service billing would offset costs. Staff replied that market rates vary widely and that the county’s CCBHC certification permits enhanced billing rates that staff expect will help recover provider costs. The commission voted with all members recorded as voting “Aye” (Commissioners Meitzner, Dennis, Howe, Lopez and Chairman Beatty). The clerk then announced the meeting adjourned.
