KMHC Monthly Meeting

October 25, 2023

9:30 a.m.  Welcome and Introductions     Mary Jones, President

Minutes of the previous meeting.  

9:35 a.m. Reports 

   Board of Directors - meet in December

   Financial Report – Amy Campbell 

   Advocacy Committee – Colin Thomasset / Monica Kurz - March 13 2024 - Mental Health Advocacy Day

   Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council – Wes Cole, Chair

   Big Tent Coalition - Mike Burgess

   KanCare Advocates Network - Sean Gatewood 

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

   Parity Committee -  Amy Campbell / Rick Cagan - November meeting will feature interaction with MCOs regarding mental health parity in KanCare.  NAMI Conference highlighted Parity topics during the annual conference including a panel featuring some of our committee members and guests Leondra Dodd, U.S. Dept. of Labor, and Julie Holmes, Kansas Insurance Department.   Parity Resources Handout  

   Suicide Prevention Coalition / 988 Crisis Line - Brenna Vicoscky/Monica Kurz

10:00 a.m.   Policy Topics for 2024 Legislative Session   Members are encouraged to submit Draft Policy Proposals for member consideration using the linked sample issue paper.  Send to campbell525@sbcglobal.net.  This is also a good time for member organizations to share their priorities.

    Appropriate State Policies for Unhoused Kansans

    Draft Document   Mental Health America Position Statement

    Spenddown - Medically Needy / Medicaid        

    Draft Proposal   Emily Tallman testimony   KDHE Fact Sheet

11:00 a.m.  Lobbyist Report    Amy Campbell 

• KanCare RFP - Fact Sheet   Stakeholder Meetings - Thursday October 26
• Special Committee on Homelessness - November 9 - link to information
• Robert G. Bethell Joint Committee on HCBS and KanCare Oversight - October 11-12
• KDADS Updates
• KDHE Updates
• Chair - personal story of family experience
• State Policies on Mental Health - Marcus Bjoerkheim, Ph.D. Merkatus Center, George Mason University
•   "expanding prescriptive authority"
• "ensuring orderly return of eligibility redeterminations = better access"
• Joint Committee on Child Welfare System Oversight - November 4
• Special Committee on Child Care Centers and Child Care Homes - November 1
• Mental Health Medication Advisory Committee (MHMAC) met October 10 - Draft Criteria link
• Update on recommendations of the Special Committee on Mental Health Modernization and Reform - Specialty Courts Update   DCF Update

11:25 a.m.  Announcements 

11:30 a.m.  Adjourn

2023 Schedule - Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 29, April 26, May 24, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, October 25, Nov 15, Dec 13

Board Meetings: 11:45 a.m. quarterly the 4th Wednesdays (March 29, June 28, Sept. 27, Dec. 13)

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