(Jan. 17, 2023) – Today, the House Health Committee, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), received an agency overview from Secretary Laura Howard from the Kansas Department for Children and Families. The committee heard update on the services provided through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Staff highlighted the following behavioral health priorities and accomplishments:
- Developed a comprehensive 988 plan to expand the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline contact center capacity to answer and bolster community-based crisis services, as well as administered $3 million in grant funds to the call centers
- Completed the State Suicide Prevention Plan and launched the Kansas Suicide Prevention Coalition
- Developed a plan for community integration, as well as funded and staffed Community Integration Section within the Behavioral Health Services Commission
- Launched a three-year effort to enroll Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in KanCare.
- Launched the State Institutional Alternative in KanCare program to reduce state general fund costs for the care of state patients diverted to private facilities and reduced the demand for admission at state hospitals
- Awarded a contract to KVC Hospitals for the opening and operation of an acute private psychiatric hospital in Hays, serving children as a state institutional alternative.
The committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Jan. 18, to hear from the community mental health centers.