Category: News

As a Douglas County Commissioner for the second district, Nancy Thellman has been working with people studying the problems of gaps in mental health services for almost two years.

But she said it was a “jaw dropping moment” when she realized that many in the community don’t realize  that jail reorganization and expansion are part of the solutions to these gaps and that issues of mental health and jail improvement are interwoven.

Six thousand people pass through the jail every year and it is estimated that 25%, one fourth of them, have mental health problems. With female prisoners the percentage is 31%.

“While we can’t control decreasing state and federal funding for mental health issues, Douglas County does provide more and better services than many counties,” she said. “But because of the size of the jail  we spend $90,000 a month to house prisoners elsewhere. And that’s in places where they don’t get Lawrence’s good services which include counseling and training.”

In Lawrence, she said, the jail design needs more natural light, more beds, and different living spaces because, occasionally, people arrested for lighter violations have to share space with murderers.

Thellman said the community also needs a Crisis Stabilization Center, where people in crisis can go, be safe, get evaluated and receive care.  She said this is necessary by itself and should not be part of the jail. “We need to create a special court within the court system, overseen by a judge to deal with mental health issues.”

“Mental health seems to be a more popular issue in the county than jail expansion,” she said “but  improvement cannot succeed  for one without the other.”

Christie Scanlin Dobson, the new Director of Ballard Center, spoke about the center and her new responsibilities.  The Ballard Center has performed a mission of service in Douglas County since 1964 for individuals and families in need of emergency assistance.

The Ballard Center is a nonprofit located in North Lawrence in a 100 year old brick building.  It is governed by a volunteer board of community members.  The responsibility for Penn House and its programs was added in 2005. The combined program of services offered includes emergency assistance with food, clothing, rent, employment, diapers, senior commodities, school kits and income tax.  Case managers work with individuals and families to become self-sufficient.  An educational program is provided for some 58 lively 1-5 year-olds.  This program also supports employment opportunities for parents and operates on a sliding fee scale.  There is also a substantial waiting list.  Over 8,000 people in need receive unduplicated Services from Ballard each year.  Christie Scanlin Dobson explained that the actual need is twice the number they are able to serve.

Unfortunately, the center is facing a major funding crisis and it is not clear how their programs will be impacted.  Ballard Center welcomes visitors and contact information is available on the web site at Ballardcenter.org.

The Pregnancy Care Center of Lawrence (PCC) is a 501C3 organization that has operated in Lawrence since 2003 offering nonjudgmental counseling and support for parents experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.  Bridgit Smith spoke on behalf of PCC explaining the organization’s mission and range of services.  Free pregnancy testing is offered, as well as sonograms, parenting classes, counseling and support.  PCC maintains that women have a right to be informed about their choices regarding their pregnancy.  Adoption referrals may be made, however, no referrals are made for abortions.  The center offers the services of an attorney for consultation.

“Earn While You Learn” classes are available to teach parenting skills and class participants earn “Baby Bucks” that may be redeemed at the PCC Baby Boutique.   PCC provides a Birth Mom Advocate and staff also work to encourage fathers to be a responsible parent.   The largest demographic served is ages 19-25.  Lawrence PCC averages 55 service contacts a month—some of that number are repeat visits.  22 births were celebrated  in 2015.  PCC is working to reach out to students, with some success—those contacts are up 40% over last year.  The Organization is funded by donations from individuals, businesses and churches.  Bridgit Smith expressed considerable satisfaction with her work at PCC and told of numerous parents and babies she has served through the years.  More information is available at www.pcclawrence.org.