Fifty-three sex offenders who receive help from a Lancaster County-operated support program will continue to receive services, despite losing their meeting place.
The Sexual Trauma/Offense Prevention Program (S.T.O.P.) had been offering services at the Community Mental Health Center. However, the Lancaster County Board decided last year to hand over operation of the Community Mental Health Center’s core services to Lutheran Family Services, a nonprofit organization.
The county’s contract with Lutheran Family Services includes use of the Community Mental Health Center building at 2201 S. 17th St. But Lutheran Family Services didn’t agree to take over the S.T.O.P. program, leaving it with nowhere to go.
On Thursday, psychologist Mary Paine, who oversees the S.T.O.P. program through a contract with the county, offered to host the program at her private offices at 1550 S. 70th St., Suite 101. The County Board approved that plan Thursday.
“We are continuing to provide services,” Paine said in a message directed at the program's clients. “We're growing though a series of bumps, but we're still your provider.”
She said S.T.O.P. clients can call her office at 402-488-0077 if they have questions.
The program supports sex offenders who have been released from incarceration, getting referrals from agencies like the Lincoln Regional Center and community corrections. The program works to prevent them from re-offending.
Gwen Thorpe, deputy chief administrative officer for the County Board and acting administrator for the Mental Health Center during the transition, said the county didn’t expect to hand over management of the Mental Health Center’s core services as soon as it now plans -- Feb. 1.
That sooner-than-expected transition left the county unsure what to do with the S.T.O.P. program, she said.
“It's absolutely necessary in this community,” she said.
Paine said many of the program’s clients are high-risk sex offenders who will be listed on the sex offender registry their entire lives.
"It's not just the treatment we provide,” she said. “It's a monitoring function."
If Paine or any of her staff see warning signs that a client might be at high risk of re-offending, they will contact the county attorney’s office, she said.
Ongoing support, like that provided by the S.T.O.P. program, is often a requirement for their release, she said.
County commissioners agreed the program was necessary and should continue.
“You're providing a well-needed service,” said board Chairman Larry Hudkins. ..Source.. by KEVIN ABOUREZK
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