Grading the States 2009 Report Card: Kansas

The nation’s Heartland can be proud of Kansas’ plucky spirit. In 2006, Kansas’ mental health system received an F grade. Since then, the state seems to have acknowledged its challenges and begun building on its strengths, working to identify a clear path for the future. Three years later, however, much work still needs to be done. In 2009 they get a D. Full narrative (PDF).

Grades by Category Detailed Score Card (PDF)

Health Promotion and Measurement: D 25% of Total Grade
Basic measures, such as the number of programs delivering evidence-based practices, emergency room wait-times, and the quantity of psychiatric beds by setting.
Financing & Core Treatment/Recovery Services: C 45% of Total Grade
A variety of financing measures, such as whether Medicaid reimburses providers for all, or part of evidence-based practices; and more.
Consumer & Family Empowerment: D 15% of Total Grade
Includes measures such as consumer and family access to essential information from the state, promotion of consumer-run programs, and family and peer education and support.
Community Integration and Social Inclusion: D 15% of Total Grade
Includes activities that require collaboration among state mental health agencies and other state agencies and systems.

Innovations

Peer-run and peer-provided supports
Collaboration to develop housing
Consumer/family partnership in policy development

Urgent Needs

Community-based inpatient care
Supportive housing
Alternatives to incarceration
Comprehensive parity legislation

Additional Information and Resources

Full Narrative (PDF) | Detailed Score Card (PDF) | Full Report | Order Hard Copy

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Grading the States 2006 Report Card: Kansas

"I worked on an ACT Team in [another state] for over six years. I witnessed its value in keeping people out of the hospital and receiving the support they needed over time. In my experience, no one I have dealt with in Kansas knows anything about it!"