Kansas has millions of dollars to spend on youth crisis centers. But no one’s using it

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas has put aside $6 million for juvenile disaster facilities — locations that might spare children from getting locked up by serving to them via psychological well being crises — however has but to spend a dime.

The cash’s meant for counties and cities that might run the refuges. However native authorities officers say the fund of tax {dollars} is so tangled in pink tape that it’s not well worth the problem to pursue.

So though cash has been piling up within the fund since 2018, none of its been spent and the state hasn’t added any locations that may imply the distinction between therapy or incarceration for some younger individuals.

Johnson County made a proper software in 2018. Then the county waited for months to hammer out an settlement and nonetheless couldn’t squeeze any cash out of the state. It dropped the mission.

In an replace to a Statehouse committee in November, Robert Sullivan, director of Johnson County’s Division of Corrections, mentioned it already had a facility constructed that sits unused.

Now Johnson County is taking a look at a juvenile disaster middle however is nowhere close to something formal.

“I don’t assume we got here near doing something so far as having a program or a mission,” mentioned Joe Connor, assistant county supervisor for Johnson County.

Connor mentioned that the county presents disaster companies for adults, however that it has few choices for youth. Children find yourself in detention with out these options. Providers for adults aren’t an amazing match for teenagers.

“The practitioners will let you know that it’s higher to handle (adults and youngsters) individually,” Connor mentioned.

State Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican, pushed state officers in late November to shake free funds so counties may begin shifting ahead. She’s annoyed that paperwork tied up funds that would have addressed the issue.

“Power starvation is a matter, and that might be like having cupboards filled with meals, and we’ve simply locked them up and we’re unwilling to feed those who starvation,” she mentioned.

A number of lawmakers mentioned they wish to replace the legislation to carve away the bureaucratic obstacles to jumpstart functions. One potential change: simplifying the appliance course of.

A invoice launched to start with of the present legislative session barely tweaks language in state legislation. Below current legislation, juvenile disaster facilities can solely assist children with psychological well being wants. The change would enable these facilities to assist youth with behavioral wants.

That would imply children with out a identified psychological well being situation may get companies.

Desmond Bryant-White, a program supervisor for youth advocacy group Progeny, mentioned one constructive interplay when youth need assistance can have constructive ripple results for his or her total lives. A unfavorable interplay may do the alternative.

Group advocates say Cedric Lofton would nonetheless be alive had he acquired psychological well being companies. As an alternative, the 17-year-old was despatched to the Juvenile Consumption and Evaluation Heart in Wichita and died there after being restrained.

Bryant-White mentioned teenagers who want psychological well being companies are directed to detention as a rule. Somewhat than locking up juveniles with habits or psychological well being episodes, he mentioned the state ought to direct them to professionals who can information them.

“Investing in youth is essential, as a result of it may very effectively flip them on a special course,” Bryant-White mentioned. “We’ve got to indicate youth that we’re keen to spend money on them.”

The Kansas Information Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and Excessive Plains Public Radio centered on well being, the social determinants of well being and their connection to public coverage.