Key Points:
- Wichita leaders pledge action to address mental health services and homelessness at the Nehemiah Convention.
- Solutions include full staffing of crisis units, enhanced psychiatric care, and transportation funding.
- Mayor and county officials promise ongoing funding for housing-first model and homeless ID program.
One by one Wichita’s city, county and state leaders and providers came to the microphone before more than 1,300 of their constituents on May 9 and promised to take specific action before the end of this year to solve two of the most challenging problems the county faces: access to mental health services and homelessness.
It was Wichita’s first Nehemiah Convention, sponsored by Justice Together, a coalition of more than 35 faith communities who started an effort over a year ago to identify the region’s most serious problems and propose solutions.
The Convention, held in the C was not about discussion, but rather about action, as Rev. Dr. Kevass Harding, pastor of Dellrose United Methodist Church told the crowd.
“We are gathered here tonight because we can’t wait any longer. Something better is possible for Sedgwick County. We meet as multi-faith organizations across several faith traditions. Justice cannot wait any longer,” Harding said.
Action Agreement on Mental Health Crisis
Justice Together research showed Kansas ranks 51st among the 50 states and the District of Columbia when it comes to access to mental health care. To address that shortcoming, they created a set of solutions for Sedgwick County.
At the Nehemiah Convention, they shared their supported solutions and called leaders to the microphone to pledge their support.
Andy Brown, deputy secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging and Disability and Joan Tammany, Executive Director of COMCARE, pledged to support implementation of the convention’s mental health [proposals. They included:
- Supporting full staffing of mobile crisis units throughout Sedgwick County and fully funded, staffed and operating 24/7/365 by Oct. 1,
- Address the issue of a lack of psychiatric care on the weekends that results in referrals away from the COMCARE Community Crisis Center to local emergency rooms by providing enhanced funding weekend on-call psychiatric services by Jan. 1, 2025, and
- Secure $628,000 to fund the Substance Abuse Center of Kansas transportation service to serve an estimated 300 clients by June 29, the end of the 2024 fiscal year. Those funds allow people who need transportation to substance abuse treatment to ride the bus free. The group identified lack of transportation as a major reason individuals miss treatment sessions,
- To meet together with Justice Together, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability and COMCARE the first week of the month between June and September to keep the Nehemiah Assembly updated on the plan, goals and accomplishments.
Fredericka Agnew, a member of St. Paul AME Church, said she was recruited to be a member of Justice Together by her pastor, Pamela Hughes Mason. Her husband, John, works for the Substance Abuse Center and said that lack of transportation is often a reason that people miss treatment appointments.
“I think the fact that they pledged to meet monthly on progress ensures that the timetable will be met,” she said.
Promises on Helping the Homeless
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu, Sedgwick County Commissioner Ron Baty, Wichita City Manager Bob Layton and County Manager Tom Stolz were called to the microphone to pledge to support two major initiatives for the homeless.
Justice Together identified securing full, ongoing funding for operations and supportive services for a housing first model at the proposed Multi-Agency Center and the creation of a city-wide, low-barrier, photo ID for people experiencing homelessness within the next 30 days.
Dave Williams, who experienced homelessness as a result of a mental health crisis, shared his personal story with the Justice Together audience.
“The police took me to the hospital and I’m grateful because I desperately needed the help. But when I was finally stable a couple of weeks later, I had lost my job, my apartment and my wallet which meant I was missing my driver’s license, social security card, and a handful of cash,” he said.
“Without an ID, it’s hard to get a job or rent a home. It’s hard to even access medical care. You can’t cash a check. Without an address, you can’t get a driver’s license replaced.”
Mayor Wu, Commissioner Baty, Layton and Stolz pledged to create an I-9 eligible municipal photo ID for the homeless population that will be recognized for employment and accepted for city and county services. It will be similar to a recently introduced local ID offered in Kansas City, Mo., called the Fountain Card.
According to Layton, Mayor Wu has decided to call the Wichita ID card the Air Capital card.
The four also pledged to secure full, ongoing funding for operations and supportive services for a housing-first model at a proposed Multi-Agency Center. A housing-first approach prioritizes providing individuals experiencing homelessness with immediate access to safe and stable housing without imposing stringent conditions or prerequisites. Unlike traditional shelter systems that may require individuals to meet strict criteria, such as sobriety or participation in programs, low-barrier housing offers a dignified and inclusive solution.
Rev. Ian Smith with United Methodist Open Door Ministries said it’s time to come together and meet the needs of people in crisis.
“We need to have them in housing in a matter of days, not years,” he said.
City Manager Bob Layton said the city has already committed $600,000 per year to the operation of a MAC and has committed $20 million to its creation.
