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Sedgwick County, Kansas COMCARE ...working for you
Sedgwick County...working for you

Sedgwick County Offender Assessment Program (SCOAP)

1720 E Morris, Suite 101, Wichita, KS 67211
316-660-1900
Rita Snider, LSCSW, Program Manager
Jason Scheck, LSCSW, Program Director

Sedgwick County Offender Assessment Program

The Sedgwick County Offender Assessment Program (SCOAP) was recommended by the Sedgwick County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and is designed to address the needs of individuals who have a diagnosable mental illness such as Major Depressive, Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia and who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. Most crimes involved are misdemeanor offenses.

Through treatment, SCOAP addresses the causes of the arresting behavior to reduce recidivism among mentally ill persons arrested. SCOAP provides mental health assessment services, intensive case management, crisis intervention and medication management services.

SCOAP has three goals:

(1) To reduce the number of low risk mentally ill individuals in the county jail, (2) improve access and follow up to appropriate mental health screening and services for mentally ill persons in the custody of law enforcement, and (3) reduce recidivism among mentally ill persons arrested.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) for Law Enforcement

In some circumstances, such as for nuisance offenses involving psychiatric crises, individuals in the community can be redirected at the outset, away from incarceration and into community-based mental health and substance use treatment. The Memphis Crisis Intervention Team model has been shown to operate effectively as a police-based crisis intervention model and a pre-arrest jail diversion program. Redirection away from the criminal justice system and into the treatment system relies heavily on community partnerships and linkages.

COMCARE actively participates in the Crisis Intervention Team for Wichita and Sedgwick County. The CIT model facilitates community partnerships and equips officers with training and resources needed to effectively respond to individuals experiencing acute behavioral crises in the community. SCOAP provides case management and other services to those referred for services by law enforcement officers.

SCOAP Post-Booking Program

SCOAP provides a post-booking jail alternative program for individuals who have been booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility and who have a diagnosed mental illness. Referrals are made primarily by court and medical staff at the detention facility who are familiar with the individual and recognize the need for mental health assessment and intervention to address factors that contributed to the incarceration.

After completing an assessment with a Qualified Mental Health Professional, an individualized plan for treatment is developed and is proposed to the court as a condition of pre-trial release or as a condition of probation. SCOAP staff provide regular updates to the court regarding the individual’s treatment progress in community based services such as medication management and case management.

Mental Health Court

The Mental Health Court (MHC) is a problem-solving court with a specialized docket, regular judicial supervision and a team approach improving coordination and communication between the mental health system and the criminal justice system. The approach allows for better monitoring an individual’s compliance to mental health treatment and adherence to court orders. A Qualified Mental Health Professional provides assessment, treatment planning, and works as a member of the MHC team to reward and sanction adherence to treatment and court orders. Referrals for the MHC come from the City of Wichita Prosecutor’s Office. SCOAP provides case management and other services to those enrolled in the Mental Health Court.

Crisis Stabilization Unit

A Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) is available to address the needs of SCOAP participants experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis. The CSU provides a safe, structured environment for the provision of crisis intervention and crisis stabilization services 24 hours a day. The four-bed facility is located at 1720 East Morris, the CSU facility includes three bedrooms, a living room, dining area, kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities.

SCOAP Participants:


Referrals to SCOAP are made through the Criminal Justice System. SCOAP serves adults age 18 and older. Participation in the program is voluntary. Participants must live in Sedgwick County and complete a required screening and assessment with Qualified Mental Health Professionals.

SCOAP Staff:

The program is staffed 24/7 by a team of Licensed Clinical and Masters Level Social Workers, Case Managers, and a Security Guard. Medication management services are provided by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner during regular business hours.


COMCARE
of Sedgwick County
First Appointment – 316-660-7540
24-Hour Crisis Intervention Services – 316-660-7500

01/09


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