Governor Laura Kelly Tours Future Child Mental Health Hospital in Hays

Hays, KS– Governor Laura Kelly joined KVC Hospitals leadership for a tour of KVC’s future children’s psychiatric hospital site in Hays to highlight the importance of supporting adolescent mental health. The relocated and expanded Hays facility, which is currently under construction, will add 14 beds for children’s psychiatric inpatient hospital treatment. 

In December 2021, Governor Kelly announced a partnership between the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and KVC Hospitals to bring this modern acute psychiatric hospital to western Kansas. 

“One of my highest priorities since taking office has been strengthening our mental health system in Kansas, especially in underserved parts of the state,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This hospital will provide top-notch care to children in Hays and beyond – reinforcing my Administration’s efforts to increase the mental health resources needed to keep young Kansans safe and healthy.” 

KVC Hospitals is a nonprofit network of children’s psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment centers in Kansas serving youth between the ages of 6 to 18 who are experiencing depression, anxiety, the impacts of childhood trauma, and have other behavioral and mental health needs. 

KVC previously provided inpatient youth psychiatric hospitalization services in Hays for nearly a decade from 2010-2019. During that time, KVC served thousands of children and families. The new facility is expected to open in January 2023. 

“Bringing these critical mental health services into western Kansas will be life-changing for the children and families in these communities,” said Bobby Eklofe, KVC Hospitals President. “Our mission is driven by ensuring mental health care is available and accessible to all children and with Governor Kelly’s partnership, we are able to make that possible in an under-served region of our state.” 

Since taking office, the Kelly Administration has continuously advanced bipartisan solutions to expand mental health access for children and adolescents. She has provided $33 million in funding for the Mental Health Intervention Team Program, which increases students’ access to clinical therapy and local mental health resources, growing the program from 9 districts to 67 and from 1,708 students to close to 5,000 served annually. 

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