Kate Sumey, MA

Kate Sumey, MA is a lifelong Alaskan and graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Master’s in Justice Administration; she has an undergraduate degree in Justice (BA) and Human Services (AAS) with a minor in psychology. Ms. Sumey has over seventeen years of experience working with individuals with mental health disorders. For the past twelve years she has worked with specialized diversion programs that divert mentally ill offenders from the criminal justice system into needed treatment and support services in the community. She is currently the project manager for the Anchorage Coordinated Resources Project (mental health court), a diversion program that focuses on identifying risk areas and treating the underlying problem areas that contribute to criminal involvement. She is a criminal justice instructor at Central Texas College, a college that caters to active duty military and dependents—part of the focus of this criminal justice program is examining the challenges that returning offenders experience when they reenter society after incarceration (difficulties with housing, employment, relationships, etc.).