(Jan. 22, 2024) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), received a program update from John Calvert, director of the Safe and Secure Schools Unit for the Kansas State Department of Education. The presentation focused on K-12 students and helping families navigate mental health services and linking them with the existing statewide behavioral health system and resources within the mental health provider network. The committee heard from state liaisons in school systems and how they work closely with foster contractors. The committee heard an overview of the funding structure of the program in 90 school districts with 182 liaisons and 5,732 students served, including 477 foster students.

The committee will meet again tomorrow to hold a hearing on House Bill 2484, enacting the Social Work Licensure Compact to provide interstate practice privileges for social workers.