TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Valeo Behavioral Health is partnering with Shawnee County to launch an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program aimed at supporting individuals with severe mental health issues through the court system.
Bill Persinger, CEO of Valeo Behavioral Health, presented the initiative to Shawnee County Commissioners during a work session on Monday, June 17. The AOT program offers a structured treatment alternative for individuals who might otherwise require hospitalization.
Under the AOT program, individuals identified by friends, family, or law enforcement as having severe mental health concerns can receive tailored and monitored care at Valeo for varying durations, rather than being sent to a state hospital. This program maintains the high standard required to restrict a patient’s civil liberties, ensuring that only qualified specialists intervene through the court system.
“Families and others have been asking for a long time. Gosh, my brother, my dad, my child, you know, my neighbor, you know, they are doing these things that really concern us,” Persinger explained. “This program offers an alternative for situations where we don’t find probable cause to file a petition and follow standard procedures, providing another option for care.”
While personnel and a designated courtroom are ready for the program, funding for legal representation remains a challenge. Kansas Chief Judge Steven R. Ebberts, who will oversee the program, emphasized the need for financial resources to ensure legal counsel for participants.
“The one thing I cannot get funding for, and I have looked for grant funding, is for legal counsel for these folks at those hearings,” Judge Ebberts stated. “They have a right to have an attorney to represent them, and most cannot afford one. We appoint lawyers for them, but my current budget does not cover the additional time needed for these cases. We need about $153,000 added to our budget to pay these lawyers adequately.”
Judge Ebberts has committed to dedicating time and a courtroom each month to support the program, highlighting the collaborative effort to provide a viable solution for those in need of mental health assistance.
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