(Jan. 17, 2023) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee heard an update on the 988 Suicide Lifeline. Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Andy Brown gave an executive summary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline annual report. The committee also heard about Vibrant Behavioral Health and how they contract in each region of the state. Committee members asked the following questions:

• How calls are transferred between 911 and 988
• If call volumes have gone down for 911 since the inception of 988
• The process for connecting a caller with a live person

The committee also received a bill introduced by Senator Mike Thompson (R-Shawnee) to add funding for Midwest Stem Cell Research in the amount of $500 million, a bill re-introduced from the 2022 legislative session.

The committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Jan. 18, to hear a presentation from Amanda Shlumpberger, from Legislative Post Audit, to review foster care services for children.