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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