ORDINANCE NO. 240284
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Sponsor: Councilmembers Johnathan Duncan and Andrea Bough, and Mayor Quinton Lucas
Establishing an alternative response program within the Health Department to respond to individuals in crisis or with quality-of-life concerns; directing the City Manager to submit a budget amendment and to take other necessary steps in support of the Program; and directing the City Manager to develop and recommend a plan for the expansion of rapid rehousing options.
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WHEREAS, Committee Substitute for Resolution 230475 established a commission to research and recommend alternatives to incarceration; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 230607 extended the duration of the Alternatives to Incarceration Commission for additional time to complete its work; and
WHEREAS, over several months, the Commission reviewed a number of policies and best practices to reduce the need for incarceration; and
WHEREAS, in January of 2024, the Alternatives to Incarceration Commission submitted its final recommendations, which included the creation of an alternative response model; and
WHEREAS, City Council seeks to implement the recommendations of the Commission to expand alternatives to incarceration and divert individuals from the criminal legal system when possible; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. The City hereby establishes the Kansas City Alternative Response Program (the "Program") called REACH (Responding with Empathetic Alternatives and Community Health). It is the purpose of the Program to administer mobile community response services for individuals in crisis or with quality-of-life concerns because of issues related to, but not limited to, mental health, substance abuse, or houselessness, connect diverted individuals to appropriate services, and facilitate short- and long-term care navigation for diverted individuals who seek sustained support services...
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