By Trish Svoboda

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced that KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program, has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to support the implementation of School-Based Services (SBS). This grant highlights KDHE’s commitment to improving healthcare services within Kansas schools, particularly those related to mental health.

This funding will support the integration of comprehensive health services within schools, ensuring improved access to essential care for students. Key initiatives facilitated by the grant include:

· Providing enrollment assistance to help eligible students and their families access Medicaid coverage.

· Offering a wide range of Medicaid-covered health services directly within school premises.

· Enhancing outreach and educational efforts to promote student health and wellness, thereby reducing reliance on emergency care and enhancing educational outcomes.

This award highlights a strong partnership between federal and state governments, reinforcing Kansas’s commitment to addressing both educational, and physical and mental health needs of young Kansans.