Governor Kelly Announces Additional $10 Million to Advance Whole-Person Care in Kansas

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced on Monday that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has been awarded an additional $10 million in federal funding to enhance the state’s efforts in integrating primary and behavioral health care.

“This additional funding underscores our commitment to breaking down barriers to care and ensuring that every Kansan has access to comprehensive, integrated health services,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By fostering collaboration between behavioral health clinics and primary care providers, we are building a stronger, more resilient health care system that meets the needs of all Kansans.”

This Promoting Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care (PIPBHC) funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) builds upon the $10 million received in August 2023 as part of a transformative five-year federal grant initiative aimed at improving whole-person care in Kansas.

“This funding will enable KDADS to strengthen partnerships between health care providers, expand access to integrated services, and support innovations in whole-person care delivery,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “With this continued investment, Kansas is leading the way in advancing health care systems that prioritize both the physical and behavioral health of its residents.”

The project focuses on developing behavioral health resources and referral systems within primary care provider networks by leveraging the expertise of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), which have a proven track record in delivering behavioral health services to the community. KDADS, in consultation with the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas (ACMHCK), will collaborate with four CCBHCs to implement this initiative.

Each participating CCBHC will partner directly with at least one primary care provider to ensure individuals have seamless access to both behavioral and physical health services. This integrated care model recognizes the critical connection between physical health and behavioral health needs and aims to address them in tandem and manage whole-person care for Kansans.

Partners in this initiative include High Plains Mental Health, Four County, Southeast Kansas, and Pawnee. There are three primary goals through this grant:

1. Develop and implement strong referral protocols to improve the identification of physical care needs within the behavioral health system.
2. Increase access points for individuals seeking care, whether behavioral, physical, dental, or other types of health care.
3. Promote the integration of mental health and overall health care, emphasizing that mental health is an essential component of comprehensive health care.

“We are thrilled to receive this funding, bringing mental health and primary care services closer together,” said Craig Poe, executive director of High Plains Mental Health Center. “By integrating these critical care areas, we can address the whole person, improve health outcomes, and reduce patient costs. HPMHC will begin implementing the program immediately, collaborating with local primary care providers to identify integration opportunities. This funding reaffirms our commitment to innovation and collaboration in delivering high-quality care. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

This initiative will directly address critical gaps in integrated care and implement targeted strategies to achieve the following objectives:

• Reduce Barriers to Accessing Care Eliminate obstacles that prevent individuals from obtaining comprehensive physical and behavioral health services by streamlining processes, increasing access points, and prioritizing underserved communities.
• Increase Capacity for Integrated Care Expand the reach and effectiveness of integrated care by fostering collaboration among providers, establishing strong referral networks, and enhancing communication between physical and behavioral health systems.
• Address Suicidal Ideation Through Holistic Support Decrease instances of suicidal ideation by delivering coordinated services that address physical health, behavioral health, and the broader social determinants of health.
• Improve Access to Primary Care Facilitate timely access to primary care services through robust screening processes and referral mechanisms designed to connect individuals with the care they need.

“The PIPBHC grant will play an integral role in helping Pawnee Mental Health Services integrate primary care and behavioral health under one roof,” said Mike Rezkalla, CEO of Pawnee Mental Health Services. “This clinical integration model will allow us to expand our scope, enhance care coordination, and maximize our ability to meet the desired outcomes of the CCBHC model both at the Medicaid level and the federal demonstration goals. We can only see the great potential the PIPBHC grant will introduce to our clients and look forward to a fruitful implementation. A big thank you to our colleagues at KDADS for making this effort possible.”

Each provider organization serves a high need, defined geographic region, offering or coordinating services for individuals facing both physical and behavioral health challenges. These regions encompass Kansas’s urban, rural, and frontier areas, reflecting the state’s diverse landscape and creating opportunities to advance integrated care. By fostering these efforts, the aim is to reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health and ensure equitable access to comprehensive care.

###

Commerce Launches New Quality of Place Grant for Rural Revitalization

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the launch of the new Towns grant program. This program is an initiative designed to spur quality-of-place improvements in rural Kansas communities that have received no funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce in the past three years. This new opportunity will have $100,000 available for its first round of funding.

The program provides grants that range from $1,000 to $10,000 to support small-scaled projects that will deliver meaningful results in rural communities, with a focus on increasing local capacity, fostering community and youth engagement, and mobilizing volunteers and local investment.

“The Kelly-Toland Administration remains committed to bringing prosperity to all of Kansas, and this program will strategically foster new investments that provide our smaller communities with greater opportunities to flourish,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These grants will empower local leaders to transform ideas into reality, creating vibrant spaces that attract families, support local businesses, and strengthen the fabric of rural Kansas for future generations.”

Eligible applicants must represent a community with a population of 5,000 or less and that has received no Commerce funding in the preceding three years.

“The Towns grant will provide an opportunity for grassroots, rural leaders to revitalize our small and rural communities,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “By targeting these resources to underserved regions of the state, we can continue ushering in a promising future for every Kansan, no matter their geographic location.”

Applicants must demonstrate investment in the projects by providing a minimum match of 10%, which can come in-kind for communities with populations under 1,000. The matching funds must come from a private source or non-state funded grants.

Awards will be disbursed to a variety of eligible project types across the entire state. Communities with similar needs are encouraged to leverage resource sharing such as grant administration, grant writing and matching funds.

To support potential applicants, Commerce will host a series of informational webinars and workshops. The Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) will host virtual office hours for applicants who might have questions regarding the grant program. Registration for the webinars and office hours, guidelines for the grant application, and a list of eligible communities and project expenses can be found here.

Grant applications open Monday, December 16, and will close February 28, 2025. Awardees will be announced mid-April 2025.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

###