Aging Subcommittee
The GMHSPC Aging Subcommittee
formed in August of 2004. This subcommittee has focused on doing research to identify the mental health service delivery
needs for older Kansans and developing goals to address these needs. The needs of the aging population are complex,
often involving both medical and mental health concerns. While mental illness knows no age barriers, depression, anxiety,
and suicide are among the most common mental illnesses of the aging population but are often un-diagnosed or misdiagnosed.
The Aging Subcommittee is Chaired by Rosemary Mohr (MHA of South Central Kansas, Wichita). Service Delivery Subcommittee
The Service Delivery
Subcommittee has the task of evaluating the mental health service delivery "system" and making appropriate recommendations
to the full GMHSPC. In order to make recommendations about the mental health system of care, the subcommittee must have
a clear picture of the entire array of mental health services available to Kansans. Identifying what we understand are
the mental health services and resources related to the delivery of mental health services and collecting date on these is
a large part of our ongoing task. The mental health service array includes many peripheral services such as educational,
advocacy, resources, and types of providers. The Services Delivery Subcommittee is chaired by Scott Jackson
(Family Life Community Mental Health Center, Riverton).
Transformation Subcommittee
The Transformation
Subcommittee was formed in October 2005. The subcommittee exists to assist in the coordination of transformation activities
among the subcommittees of the council and to promote the implementation of mental health services in Kansas that are consistent
with recommendations of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. The subcommittee examines mental
health issues and topics focusing on improving multi-systemic collaboration and service integration that is recovery focused,
consumer and family driven, and coordinated across the lifespan. The Transformation Subcommitee is Co-Chaired by Mike
Hammond (Association of Community Mental Health Centers, Topeka), and Gary J. Parker (Kansas
Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health, Wichita).
Vocational Subcommittee
The mission of the Vocational
Subcommittee is to make recommendations to the GMHSPC which help identify barriers and create opportunities in order for persons
with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) to gain competitive employment. Areas of concern include: Transitional
Youth; Medicaid as a funding source for Supported Employment; Educating employers on Supported Employment; and Implementing
evidence-based practice in mental health centers. The Voactional Subcommittee is Chaired by Sitka Stueve
(Wyandot Community Mental Health Center, Kansas City).
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The Governor's Mental Health Services Planning Council meets on a regular basis at various locations around the state.
The GMHSPC consists of a board that is appointed by the Governor of Kansas, and is comprised of 51% consumers and family members.
The council is chaired by Sherman "Wes" Cole.
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Children's Subcommittee
The GMHSPC Children's
Subcommittee was initially formed by a small core group in August, 2004. The core group identified and convened a diverse
group of stakeholders, including parents of children receiving mental health services, system advocates, child-serving professionals,
and state agency representatives. The Children's Subcommittee is focusing on identifying the needs of children with
mental illness in Kansas and strategies to ensure that resources are available, accessible, and affordable. The Co-Chairs
of the the Children's Subcommittee are Wesley Jones (Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas, Emporia)
and Stephanie Nipper (parent of child with SED, Junction City).
Housing & Homelessness Subcommittee
The Housing
and Homelessness Subcommittee exists to provide housing information to the GMHSPC. We make recommendations to the Planning
Council based on our review of effective practices and trends across the state and nation. We utilize input from stakeholders,
including consumers, family members, and a variety of providers, and welcome their involvement in the process. Our vision
is that all Kansans experiencing a severe and persistant mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, and/or co-occuring
disorders have access to quality, safe, affordable, and permanent housing. The Housing and Homelessness Subcommittee
is Co-Chaired by Bradley Schmidt (Prairie View, Newton) and Norma Phillips (Kansas Housing
Resource Corp., Topeka).
Suicide Prevention Subcommittee
In 1999, the Surgeon
General issued a Call to Action To Prevent Suicide. In the United States, suicide had become the 11th leading cause
of death of people of all ages, and the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 - 24 year olds. In Kansas, the rate of deaths
by suicide was even higher than the national rate. The Kansas Suicide Prevention Committee worked on a Kansas Suicide
Prevention Plan with input from people across the state. The group also worked at increasing the exchange of information
about suicide prevention efforts throughout Kansas. The group set a long-term goal of creating a Kansas Suicide Prevention
Resource Center (SPRC), modeled after, and working closely with, the national SPRC. In the spring of 2006, the KSPC
became the Suicide Prevention Subcommittee. It continues to build membership to represent the diversity of our state.
The Suicide Prevention Subcommittee is chaired by Bill Art (Johnson County Mental Health Center, Olathe).
Forensics Subcommittee
The GMHSPC Forensic Subcommittee
is a group of stakeholders and forensic professionals charged with examing pertinent issues in Kansas as they pertain to the
forensic population. The term forensic population is defined as a group of children and adults with a mental illness
who are at risk of entering or have already entered the criminal justice system. The Forensics Subcommittee is chaired
by Dr. Mark Quillen.
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Recruiting Consumers and Family Members for Subcommittees!
Funding is available to assist consumers and family members to become a member of one of the
various subcommittees. Funding will assist with mileage, lodging, and childcare. If interested in learning how
to become a subcommittee member, please e-mail us at: kansascac@sbcglobal.net or call SRS at 888-582-3759 and ask for Angela, Diana, Erick, Becky, ot Tinna. Please let us know what subcommittee
you are interested in, and we will try to direct you to the correct person!
Copyright 2009, Kansas CAC
This web site is made possible with funding from Kansas SRS Division
of Disability and Behavioral Health Services, and Wichita State University (Center for Community Support and Research).
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