Kansas City, Missouri, is introducing a groundbreaking approach to criminal justice with its new Wellness Court, which combines the city’s existing mental health and drug courts into one unified system. This initiative seeks to address cases involving both substance use and mental health issues by offering resources, treatment, and pathways for individuals to break free from the legal system — an innovative model that has gained attention nationwide.
The Need for a Holistic Approach
For more than two decades, Kansas City has operated specialty courts designed to address specific needs, such as drug offenses or mental health conditions. However, many individuals face co-occurring disorders — a combination of substance use and mental health issues. Historically, these individuals have had to navigate separate courts, which can often lead to confusion, delays, and individuals falling through the cracks of the system.
Kansas City Presiding Judge Courtney Wachal, who has overseen various specialty courts in the past, recognized that this fragmented approach wasn’t serving people with dual diagnoses effectively. “Every individual is different, and if we didn’t get it right, we kind of lost that individual in the process,” Wachal explained. “We spent too much time trying to figure out where they belong, and by the time we figured it out, they were already lost in the system.”
The Wellness Court was created to bridge this gap by providing an integrated approach to these complex cases. Instead of funneling individuals into separate mental health and drug courts, the new court merges these tracks and offers a more tailored treatment plan for each participant.
Addressing Overcrowding and the Role of Jails in Mental Health Care
One of the most pressing issues behind the Wellness Court is the alarming intersection between the criminal justice system and mental health care. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly two in five individuals incarcerated in the U.S. have a history of mental illness. Often, jails and prisons become the de facto mental health facilities in the absence of adequate care.
Each year, people with serious mental health conditions are booked into jails nearly two million times, which experts argue is likely an undercount due to incomplete data. In Kansas City, as in many cities, the jail system is overburdened, and the resources available to support those with mental health conditions are severely limited. This means many individuals with mental health challenges are not receiving the care they need, and their time in the criminal justice system can exacerbate their conditions.
By offering treatment-focused alternatives, the Wellness Court aims to provide participants with the tools and support they need to overcome these challenges outside of the punitive system.
Trust and Collaboration: The Key to Success
A central challenge in working with individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system is rebuilding trust. Many people entering specialty courts are disillusioned with the system, particularly those who have been incarcerated or experienced trauma. Wachal noted that for most people in the system, the legal process has been a negative experience, making them skeptical of the justice system’s intent to help them.
“What we see happening is it’s really more about an intense collaborative process,” said Shannon Scully, senior manager of criminal justice policy at NAMI. The Wellness Court is built on a team-based approach, where the judge, probation officers, mental health advocates, substance misuse support staff, and treatment coordinators all work together to guide participants toward recovery. This holistic, wraparound model provides a much-needed support system, which sets the Wellness Court apart from traditional legal proceedings.
The Program Structure and Phases
The Wellness Court is designed as a court-supervised treatment program that is available to individuals charged in Kansas City’s municipal court, which handles various city ordinance violations. Participation is voluntary, and each person is assessed for their specific treatment needs upon entry.
The program operates in four phases:
Initial Assessment & Stabilization: In the first phase, participants undergo an assessment to determine their treatment needs, including substance use and mental health conditions. From there, they begin to receive individualized care and attend court appearances regularly.
Treatment and Accountability: Participants move into the second phase, where they are expected to attend weekly self-help groups, court appearances, and stick to their treatment plan. The focus is on maintaining consistency and addressing the root causes of their issues.
Community Reintegration: The third phase is designed to allow individuals more freedom as they work to reintegrate into society. During this stage, participants are encouraged to rebuild relationships with family, seek employment, and participate in community programs and activities.
Graduation and Maintenance: In the final phase, participants focus on maintaining their progress. They must demonstrate that they can sustain a job, maintain stable housing, and stay drug- and alcohol-free for at least 180 days. At this point, participants can graduate from the program, which signifies their successful reintegration into society.
Addressing Gender-Specific Needs
In addition to the Wellness Court, Kansas City’s municipal court is also launching a new women’s court in March, timed for Women’s History Month. This court is designed specifically for women who have faced sexual assault, human trafficking, or other gender-based traumas.
Kansas City has been a hotspot for human trafficking, and many survivors of trafficking end up in the legal system as defendants, often due to crimes committed under duress. The new women’s court aims to lift these women out of the cycle of victimization by providing trauma-informed care and support. “When you change the way you approach people and give them the opportunity to be heard and seen… they can thrive,” Wachal said.
Building a Support Network
The Wellness Court is working to build a comprehensive support system for its participants, and part of that includes the development of a nonprofit board of directors. This board will help collect donations to provide financial assistance for needs such as dental care or first-month rent, which are often crucial for individuals trying to reintegrate into society.
As Judge Wachal explained, the municipal court handles many cases that are not felony-level offenses, and the maximum sentence is often just six months in jail. “We can do a lot better than that,” she said, emphasizing that the focus should be on providing meaningful treatment and support that sets individuals up for long-term success.
Conclusion: A Model for the Future
Kansas City’s Wellness Court offers a forward-thinking model for addressing the intersection of mental health, substance use, and the criminal justice system. By focusing on treatment rather than punishment, this program provides an opportunity for individuals with co-occurring disorders to break free from the cycle of incarceration and build a healthier, more stable life.
The integration of various support systems, community reintegration, and gender-specific initiatives like the women’s court shows a deep commitment to addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. As other cities look for solutions to their own criminal justice and mental health challenges, Kansas City’s Wellness Court could serve as a valuable blueprint for reform.
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