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Category Archives: Kansas
Psychiatric Bed Capacity Increases More than 30% Under Kelly Administration
TOPEKA – Today, on Kansas Mental Health Advocacy Day, Governor Laura Kelly announced that psychiatric bed capacity has increased by 32% since the start of her administration. The Kelly Administration has added 233 needed beds at child inpatient facilities, psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTF), and adult inpatient psychiatric facilities.
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Child Inpatient Acute Beds
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Adult Psychiatric Beds
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PRTF Beds
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Total
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|
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2019
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170
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243
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308
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721
|
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2023
|
212
|
318
|
424
|
954
|
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Total added
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42
|
75
|
116
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233
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“A lack of psychiatric beds has been one of the largest barriers preventing mental health resources and care from reaching Kansans who need them. A 30% increase in capacity reflects a major step forward,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, we must continue our progress in addressing the mental health crisis here in Kansas by reducing the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders and by dedicating additional, much-needed resources to these challenges.”
Under the Kelly Administration, more resources have been put toward mental health, including for the launch of the 9-8-8 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline, the creation of KansasAgStress.org to provide mental health resources for Kansas farmers and ranchers, and expanded mental health programming in schools.
The Administration has also applied federal funding to help 13 community mental health centers expand access and availability of mental health services and qualify as certified community behavioral health clinics, a new model of care being implemented across the state.
“Addressing mental health and substance use issues play a huge role in breaking down the barriers that might be keeping people from seeking help,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “We have made great strides in Kansas toward funding mental health and recovery services and building compassionate and cost-effective programs and policies that can improve the lives of adults and children living with mental illness.”
“Governor Kelly has been a leader for behavioral health, from supporting Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to ending the state hospital’s moratorium on voluntary admissions to supporting the 9-8-8 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline,” Kansas Mental Health Coalition President Mary Jones said. “As we face the current workforce shortage and mental health crisis, her ability to work with the Kansas Legislature is crucial.”
The Governor spoke at the Kansas Mental Health Advocacy Day rally hosted by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Mental Health Coalition in front of the statehouse.
Application Deadline Approaching for Energy and Water Assistance Programs
TOPEKA – Qualifying Kansans are encouraged to submit applications to receive assistance paying for water and energy bills this month. The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and Emergency Water Assistance Program (EWAP), both managed by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), will stop accepting applications at 5 p.m. on March 31.
LIEAP is an annual program that provides financial assistance to families struggling to pay their heating bills during the cold winter months. Information about the program, including how to apply and Frequently Asked Questions, are available at www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/
EWAP was created in 2021 in response to the COVID pandemic. It was established to help families restore or prevent the disconnection of drinking water and wastewater services. This temporary program will close permanently on March 31. Learn more and apply for the program by visiting www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/
The income qualifications for both programs are:
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Persons Living at the Address |
Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
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1 |
$1,699 |
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2 |
$2,289 |
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3 |
$2,879 |
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4 |
$3,469 |
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5 |
$4,059 |
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6 |
$4,649 |
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7 |
$5,239 |
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8 |
$5,829 |
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*Add $590 for each additional person |
EWAP is funded by the American Rescue Plan of 2021 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Funding for LIEAP is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service through the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
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Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
March 3, 2023
The Senate did not work any bills on the floor this week. Hopefully, that will not be the case next week. The floor schedule is not made available until the evening before – so stay tuned.
Here are a few more highlights from the previous week when over 30 bills were debated and voted on in two days.
Personal Property Tax, such as trailers, golf carts, some mobile homes, and other items have very steep penalties if owners do not file a form with the county appraiser on or before March 15 each year. Senate Bill (SB) 8 lowers the failure to file penalty from 50% to 12.5%, late filing penalties from 25% to 10% and other penalties from 5% to 2%. The bill would also limit required filings to an initial filing and when there has been a change to the report or property previously listed so that you don’t have to file every year. It passed the Senate unanimously.
Education Opportunities were expanded for low income students in SB 83 by increasing the eligibility. It eliminates the requirement a student must qualify for the free and reduced lunch program and increases the income limit to 400% above federal poverty. Children who are adopted or in foster care, and children of parents in law enforcement, firefighter, or emergency medical service provider are eligible. The tax credit for donors will increase from 70 to 75% with a limit of $100,000 per donor. The program is capped at $10 million and could be increased each year certain conditions are met until a final cap of $20 million. Some argue that this program hurts K-12 public education funding. However, K-12 funding has increased to record highs in the past few years the program has been in existence. The bill passed 22 to 16. I voted yes.
Child Mutilation Prevention would prohibit gender reassignment surgery on children. The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts would be required to revoke the license of medical person(s) who preformed the surgery. The bill passed 26 to 11. I voted yes.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Free Library Services For The Blind: Talking Books
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Take Down Tobacco
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Resist Program, and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition host National Take Down Tobacco Day at the Capitol
TOPEKA – Today, members of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Resist program and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition hosted Take Down Tobacco Day at the Capitol – a national day of activism where youth are encouraged to speak out against commercial tobacco companies and speak with policymakers about tobacco prevention.
“Take Down Tobacco Day is a great opportunity to unite communities and create a unified voice to stand up to commercial tobacco companies,” said Bryce Chitanavong, youth tobacco prevention coordinator. “Tobacco companies use deceitful marketing tactics to target the youth because they see them as future customers. We want them to know that we won’t allow it.”
For most people, tobacco use starts when they are young. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first try smoking by the age of 18. Young people are even more vulnerable to nicotine addiction as their brains develop. Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States. The use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe, regardless of whether it is smoked or not.
Previously known as Kick Butts Day, Take Down Tobacco Day provides an opportunity to educate students about the importance of youth advocacy in tobacco prevention. The American Heart Association provided advocacy training on the evening of March 1 to prepare students to speak with their policymakers. Each group that registered will get a chance to meet with their local representative and discuss tobacco prevention with them.
Resist is a youth-led program focusing on peer-to-peer education, awareness and policies preventing tobacco and electronic cigarette/vaping use. Resist chapters are locally established and hold community awareness events to promote tobacco-free environments. Resist is made possible with the support of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition.
Resources are available for people who want to quit smoking or vaping. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit ksquit.org.
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KDADS Announces $66 Million in Facility and Workforce Training Expansion Grants
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services today announced $66 million has been made available through the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and State Finance Council to close service gaps in the continuum of care by addressing statewide shortages of health and behavioral health services and the state’s increasing demand for a well-trained healthcare workforce.
The funds, approved by the State Finance Council in December, are available to service providers, educational institutions, local units of government, and non-profit organizations to specifically address three program areas: expansion of health care facilities; expanding the reach of current service providers; and workforce training expansion.
“The $66 million in SPARK funding allocated to KDADS can make a significant difference in expanding access to services by funding new facilities, program expansions, and workforce training,” KDADS Deputy Secretary of Hospitals and Facilities Scott Brunner said. “KDADS is excited to put these funds to use in communities across Kansas to meet the needs of people with mental illness, disabilities, and long-term care needs.”
Applicants must specify which of the following three program areas their proposal addresses:
Program 1: Expansion of health care facilities. KDADS seeks applications from service providers, local units of government, established partnerships of providers, or non-profit organizations to expand health care facilities. The facility expansion must result in more services being delivered within a defined geographic area or clearly increase service capacity through more licensed bed space, expanded treatment facilities, or additional credentialed providers. Expanded health care facilities must deliver more services in one or more of the following areas:
- Behavioral health
- Services for adults or children in acute psychiatric crisis
- Forensic evaluation and restoration for criminal competency cases
- Community based services for individuals with disabilities that would otherwise require nursing facility level of care
Program 2: Expand reach of current service providers. KDADS seeks applications from Medicaid enrolled service providers to deliver Medicaid services through innovative delivery models using technology to expand the reach of current service providers or to reach additional Medicaid eligible beneficiaries. Grantees must describe how their proposed intervention expands access to services for underserved individuals or communities.
Program 3: Workforce Training Expansion. KDADS seeks applications from providers, local units of government, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations to expand workforce training. Workforce training expansion must result in an increase in students being trained to serve in the medical field. Grantees must document the number of trainees and how they will impact the future health care workforce.
KDADS’s application process is open now, with submissions closing March 17 at 5:00 p.m. and awards announced March 29.
Applicants and any questions regarding the funding opportunity should be submitted to [email protected]. More information about this funding opportunity and the complete Request for Application can be found on the KDADS website: https://kdads.ks.gov/funding-
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Governor Kelly Proclaims March Problem Gambling Awareness Month
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KS Tax Collections Exceed Estimates in February
Governor Kelly Announces February Total Tax Collections Exceed Estimates by Nearly $37 Million
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that total tax-only collections for February were $549.8 million. That is $36.8 million, or 7.2%, more than the monthly estimate. Those collections were also $47.3 million, or 9.4%, more than in February 2022.
“Revenues have exceeded estimates for 30 out of the last 31 months – a clear sign that our efforts to make Kansas a place where businesses and families want to call home is paying off,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These revenues will continue to grow our historic budget surplus, making it possible for our legislature to pass responsible tax cuts that help every Kansan, like my ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan.”
Consistently strong revenues were one of the reasons S&P Global improved Kansas’ credit outlook, which the firm announced yesterday. In its report, S&P cited Governor Kelly’s recommended budgets for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 as indicators of continued fiscal responsibility that could lead to a credit rating upgrade and warned against irresponsible tax plans that could lead to a credit rating downgrade.
Individual income tax collections were $211.3 million in February. That is $6.3 million, or 3.1%, above the estimate and $27.9 million, or 15.2%, more than February 2022.
“The positive trend in tax receipts continues with all of the major tax types, individual income tax, corporate income tax, retailer’s sales tax, and compensating use tax, performing well,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.
Corporate income tax collections were $15.3 million, which is $324,000, or 2.2%, more than the February 2023 estimate. Those collections are $8.1 million, or 34.5%, less than in February 2022. It should be noted that February 2022 corporate income tax receipts were greater than February 2023 because of the higher-than-expected collection of nonrecurring corporate audit assessments that occurred that month.
Retail sales tax collections were $203.8 million, which is $13.8 million, or 7.3%, more than the estimate. Those collections are also $8.5 million, or 4.4%, greater than February 2022. Compensating use tax collections were $64.2 million, which is $849,000, or 1.3%, less than the estimate. Those collections were $4.7 million, or 8.0%, more than in February 2022.
Click here to view the February 2023 revenue numbers.
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KDADS Announces $66 Million in Facility and Workforce Training Expansion Grants
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services today announced $66 million has been made available through the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and State Finance Council to close service gaps in the continuum of care by addressing statewide shortages of health and behavioral health services and the state’s increasing demand for a well-trained healthcare workforce.
The funds, approved by the State Finance Council in December, are available to service providers, educational institutions, local units of government, and non-profit organizations to specifically address three program areas: expansion of health care facilities; expanding the reach of current service providers; and workforce training expansion.
“The $66 million in SPARK funding allocated to KDADS can make a significant difference in expanding access to services by funding new facilities, program expansions, and workforce training,” KDADS Deputy Secretary of Hospitals and Facilities Scott Brunner said. “KDADS is excited to put these funds to use in communities across Kansas to meet the needs of people with mental illness, disabilities, and long-term care needs.”
Applicants must specify which of the following three program areas their proposal addresses:
Program 1: Expansion of health care facilities. KDADS seeks applications from service providers, local units of government, established partnerships of providers, or non-profit organizations to expand health care facilities. The facility expansion must result in more services being delivered within a defined geographic area or clearly increase service capacity through more licensed bed space, expanded treatment facilities, or additional credentialed providers. Expanded health care facilities must deliver more services in one or more of the following areas:
- Behavioral health
- Services for adults or children in acute psychiatric crisis
- Forensic evaluation and restoration for criminal competency cases
- Community based services for individuals with disabilities that would otherwise require nursing facility level of care
Program 2: Expand reach of current service providers. KDADS seeks applications from Medicaid enrolled service providers to deliver Medicaid services through innovative delivery models using technology to expand the reach of current service providers or to reach additional Medicaid eligible beneficiaries. Grantees must describe how their proposed intervention expands access to services for underserved individuals or communities.
Program 3: Workforce Training Expansion. KDADS seeks applications from providers, local units of government, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations to expand workforce training. Workforce training expansion must result in an increase in students being trained to serve in the medical field. Grantees must document the number of trainees and how they will impact the future health care workforce.
KDADS’s application process is open now, with submissions closing March 17 at 5:00 p.m. and awards announced March 29.
Applicants and any questions regarding the funding opportunity should be submitted to [email protected]. More information about this funding opportunity and the complete Request for Application can be found on the KDADS website: https://kdads.ks.gov/funding-
Mural, Public Art Funding Available from Department of Commerce
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced multiple opportunities to support the creation of murals and public art in the state though coordinated funding programs from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC) and the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP). The programs will provide funding for communities to use public spaces for the purposes of artistic use and creative endeavors.
“Public art is one of many factors that drives decisions about where people will stop for a meal, open a business or move their family,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Commerce looks forward to partnering with communities across Kansas on this important quality-of-life opportunity that supports economic growth and community pride.”
The programs are designed to utilize artists, creative interventions, and arts organizations to increase community vibrancy and provide space for artistic expression and public engagement.
KCAIC’s Mural and Public Art Program applications are open through March 13 to all 501c3 organizations, units of local government, and federally recognized tribes across Kansas. The maximum request is $10,000. A 100% match is required for the award which must be at least 25% cash match and up to 75% in-kind match. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2024. Applications may be found here.
“Public art projects provide an opportunity for communities to reflect on and celebrate their unique story,” KCAIC Interim Director Kate Van Steenhuyse said. “Whether large or small in scale, public art becomes part of community identity, and can have far-reaching benefits well beyond the installation itself.”
ORP’s Rural Mural Program will also be accepting new applications from March 13 to May 1. The maximum grant award will be $7,500. Only applicants from communities with a population fewer than 15,000 are eligible. A 100% match is required for the award which must be at least 25% cash match and up to 75% in-kind match. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2023. ORP will have a Rural Mural Planning Webinar at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 3 (register here). Once the application window is open, applications will be available here.
“Last year, a total of 37 Rural Mural projects were completed in 14 different communities,” ORP Director Trisha Purdon said. “Our office looks forward to working with a whole new group of partners in 2023.”
The Kansas Department of Commerce is committed to helping communities through financial support, technical assistance and process guidance as they imagine new projects through the Mural Making initiative. As part of this effort, an online resource guide designed to put communities on a path for growth and prosperity through arts and culture and place-based community development is available here.
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 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
February 24, 2023
What a difference a week makes? In the two days before turnaround, the halfway point in session, 42 bills were scheduled for debate on the Senate floor, 3 of them were pulled for various reasons. The list of bills is not made available to Senators or the public until the evening before debate. On Tuesday evening, 27 bills were scheduled for debate Wednesday. It makes for an intense environment. Think of it this way. In 7 weeks of session, 280 Senate bills have been introduced, 62 that passed out of committee were selected by leadership for debate on the senate floor and passed to the House. Thirty-eight of the 62 were passed in two days. Here are a few highlights.
Income Tax cuts passed the Senate in Senate Bill (SB) 33 and SB 169. SB 33 would exempt Social Security from state income tax. Some of the amendments that passed during debate include increasing standard deductions each year based on inflation, exempting all retirement accounts from state income tax, and increasing qualifying parameters for the property tax freeze for seniors and disabled veterans that became law last year. The home valuation limit would go from $350,000 to $595,000. The 50% exemption of Social Security from income would be 100%. More Kansans will qualify for the program with these changes. SB 33 bill passed 36 to 3. I voted Yes.
SB 169 would create a single 4.75 state income tax rate without increasing taxes. The bill exempts the first $10,450 for married filing jointly or $5,225 filing single. This exemption is what keeps the 4.75 rate from being a tax increase on lower income earners. Currently, individuals with taxable income of $2,500 or below are not taxed, $5,000 for married filing jointly. But if a taxpayer makes $2501, there is a “cliff”, meaning that a dollar difference results in a taxpayer paying 3.1 percent on the entire income amount. After a single filer reaches the $2,501 threshold, taxable income not over $15,000 is taxed at 3.1, income between $15,001 and $30,000 is taxed at 5.25, and income above $30,000 is taxed at 5.75. For married filing jointly, the thresholds double. It is obvious the 4.75 rate simplifies state income taxes and would get rid of the cliff for low-income filers. It will allow Kansans to keep more of their hard-earned money, instead of growing government. I voted yes. The bill passed 22 to 17.
State Grocery Taxes are scheduled to go to zero in 2025, unless SB 248 becomes law. In SB 248, all grocery taxes, state and local, would go to zero in 2024. It is a big change. Some local governments are against the bill, but it is tax relief that many Kansans need. The bill passed 22 to 16. I voted yes.
Secure Elections by prohibiting ballot drop boxes passed the Senate 21 to 19 in SB 208. I voted yes. Another attempt was made to make odd year elections partisan in SB 210. I did not support this change. The bill failed on a vote of 16 to 24. Write-in candidates for certain elections would have to file an affidavit in SB 221. The bill was brought by election officials that want to save time when counting ballots, so if a person writes in Micky Mouse it will not count unless there is a signed affidavit for Micky. It’s your ballot and you should be able to write-in whomever you please. I voted no, but the bill passed 29 to 7.
Women’s Bill of Rights, SB 180, would designate biological sex at birth, male or female. It will protect women’s sports and stop situations such as males being housed in a female prison because it would require separate accommodations. It should also stop this nonsense on school trips – Eudora girl forced to room with biological male on school-sponsored overseas trip. The Senate passed it on a vote of 26 to 10. I supported the legislation.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn