December 17, 2025

9:30 a.m.  Welcome and Introductions     President Monica Kurz

Minutes of the previous meeting.  Draft minutes

9:35 a.m. Reports 

   Board of Directors - meet today 11:40 a.m.

   Financial Report – Mary Jones

   Advocacy Committee – Lori Barnes 

   Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council – Diana Marsh - Council report and reports from members serving on the Council or subcommittees.  

   Big Tent Coalition - Mike Burgess 

   KanCare Advocates Network - Sean Gatewood 

   Consumer Programs - CAC, CRO, P3, Clubhouse, Other

   Parity Committee -  Susan Rome/Mary Jones 

   Suicide Prevention Coalition - Kane Sheek

   988 Crisis Line - Monica Kurz 

10:00 a.m.   Agency Update - Kansas to boost access to care with share of $72 million grant

https://lawrencekstimes.com/2025/12/03/kr-ks-boost-access-bh-72m/

Rural Health Transformation Grant Proposal include behavioral health proposals - KDHE has submitted Kansas’s application for the Rural Health Transformation Program. You can read the full RHTP application HERE

10:15 a.m.   Consensus Policy Proposals

Please review updated Continuum of Care testimony/statement

Please prepare by reviewing 2025 Issue Papers and 2025 Summary of Consensus Policy Priorities 

  - Followup for Suicide Mortality Review Board Issue Proposal - Janell Stang/Chad Childs - Dee Kinard from Lawrence Douglas County Public Health

  - Updated language re: Clubhouse Recommendation - Andy Houltberg

  - Updated language re: inpatient beds / state hospitals

Possible final action on: 

Artificial Intelligence and therapy/treatment issues - Becky Fast See Draft Proposal for AI Issue

Cannabis Proposal - Nick Reinecker - updated November 2025 - see new draft

11:00 a.m.   Lobbyist Report

- Interim Committees

- Federal Executive Order changes to supportive housing funds - The executive order issued in August seeks to end funding for "housing first" programs, shift to treatment requirements and prioritize communities that ban public camping. Federal guidance is now coming out and it is creating concerns for organizations that provide housing services.

- Special Committee on Health and Social Services - strategies to minimize costs of contract nursing at state hospitals

- Special Committee on State Budget - KDADS requests for funds for state hospitals and South Central Mental Health Hospital

- KDADS requests funds for Specialty PRTF

11:15 a.m.  Old Business - Updates regarding the work of the Committee Concerned with Civil Commitment - see paper - Rick Cagan

11:25 a.m.  Announcements - Gary Henault retires from KDADS.

11:30 a.m.  Adjourn

2025 Schedule - Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 26, April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, August 13, September 24, October 22, November 19, December 17

Board Meetings: 11:45 a.m. quarterly the 4th Wednesdays (March 26, June 25, Sept. 24, Dec. 17)

For more information, contact: Kansas Mental Health Coalition

c/o Amy A. Campbell, Lobbyist, P.O. Box 4103, Topeka, KS 66604

785-969-1617    campbell525@sbcglobal.net