City of Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Court will enhance Mental Health Court programming by partnering with University Health to provide more intensive and supportive services.

The Municipal Court of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, seeks funding under the Bureau of Justice Assistance's Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to enhance the Kansas City Municipal Mental Health Court. This initiative aims to address the intertwined issues of homelessness, mental illness, and incarceration, particularly in the context of heightened community vulnerability due to recent crime rates, including violent crimes.

The project will serve the Kansas City area, focusing on adults diagnosed with mental health disorders or co-occurring conditions, who are frequently involved in the criminal justice system. The Mental Health Court provides a therapeutic alternative to traditional incarceration, focusing on intensive case management and temporary housing assistance to address the root causes of criminal behavior. By providing stable housing and robust mental health support, the project aims to disrupt the cycle of homelessness and incarceration, thus fostering a safer and more supportive community environment.

By leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of these organizations, along with Kansas City’s extensive experience in managing similar programs, this project seeks to establish a sustainable model for addressing mental health and housing challenges among vulnerable populations within the justice system. There are no planned conference activities for the recommended award.