(CANCELLED) KMHC Advocacy Committee

Mental Health Advocacy Committee Meeting

Lori Barnes, Chair

11:00 a.m. Call to Order

Members - Note - please be sure you have selected a membership category for official committee membership. If you are an alternate designee for a group or provider, we can add that designation.

Statehouse reserved space - March 9, 2026 - State Capitol, First and Second Floor Rotunda and South Steps/Apron

2026 Agenda

Assign Volunteer Roles 

• Fundraising - sponsor followup:
•  Monica (Advent, Camber, Mission Healthforward) Moncia & Simon (Sunflower, United, Reach) Amy (Healthy Blue/Blue Cross, Via Christi, Cottonwood Springs) Lori (NetSmart, Prairie View) Colin/Susan (ACMHCK) Tim checking with Nathan (JO CO) Shelia ($500) (HQ) 
• Volunteers- Need someone to coordinate various volunteers (see last years spreadsheet)

• Legislative meeting set-up - Rebekah Darrow.  rdarrow@healthsrc.org
• Exhibitors - Susan Rome - exhibitor registration opens in January
• Lunch - Mary
• Training - David, Chris, Lori
• Packets - Following up with Molly, Chad Childs delivering to Topeka 2/24th.  Amy printing stickers/labels
• Name Tags- Sheilah (Monica to get organizing folder to)
• Registration - Working with Netsmart
• Cookies, snacks - Lori (cookie number by 2/27, what puzzle piece shape would we want on the cookie?) Amy sticker for cookies.  Bundt cakes.  Strawberry/cream and confetti again? 170?  Pick up on Saturday then I can grab Sunday?  Checking with AFSP on ice cream.  May not do Bundts, depending on answser.
• Afternoon Ice Cream Social - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Not looking good.  May have more info in a few weeks.  Do we need to plan for something else?
• Rally and Awards - emailed Ayoka Lee
• Issue Papers - Amy - Please review this updated testimony re: Continuum of Care.  Committee members please review the 2025 issue papers for needed updates and amendments or new advocacy priorities (need to printer by  2/11ish)
• Accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing participants- Kelsey, Lori (have connected - she is out of office until 12/16).
• Photo Booth- Tim x2- second floor incentive
• Theme - Every Piece Matters (name tags, props for selfie station, stickers, cookies)
• Media press release schedule and who to (WIBW, KSN/KSNT, KWCH, others)  Lori reviewing for January send out
• Lanyards - have 160 (need 350)
• Committee gear - working with Four County on buttons.  Checking on size and date graphic is needed.  (Kansas Mental Health Coalition  ASK ME)
• Floor recognition.  Lori (Sen Owens and Rep Hoffman)

Other reach outs - Amy (Governor), Tim checking with Nathan (Zero Reasons Why)

Tentative NAMI Smarts Trainings -  (1) Wichita KS at Walter's Branch Library on Feb. 5 (Module 1), 12 (Module 2), & 19 (Module 3) at 4:30pm.  Library will open up registration in January.  (2) On-line Feb. 4th 3pm-6pm (or 530pm-830pm) Modules 1 and 3.  (3) March 8th from 2pm-5pm in Topeka at NAMI KS Headquarters.  Modules 1 and 3.

Tentative Upcoming Meeting Schedule: Dec. 5, Dec. 19, Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, and Mar. 6.

12:00 p.m. Adjourn