On May 23, at a Shawnee County Commission Meeting, a grant worth over $414,000 was approved for the Shawnee Co. Juvenile Detention Center to create a behavioral health system for its residents. This system aims to provide mental health services to all juvenile residents, regardless of how long they stay in the facility.
The program funded by the grant will offer wrap-around services to youth by partnering with the Family Service and Guidance Center to provide evaluations, set up appointments, and offer counseling services both during detention and after release. The goal of these services is to ensure that juvenile residents receive the mental health support they need for their well-being and successful reintegration into the community.
Specifically, the grant will cover the salary and benefits for two new positions at the Juvenile Detention Center, as well as contracts with the Family Service and Guidance Center and Family Peace Initiative. These positions will work together to provide comprehensive mental health care to juvenile residents, ensuring that they receive the support they need during their time in detention and after their release.
