Tatiana Y. Lin, M.A., KHI Senior Analyst and Strategy Team Leader, provides neutral testimony to the Kansas Legislature on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
On January 17, 2018, Tatiana Y. Lin, M.A., KHI Senior Analyst and Strategy Team Leader, provided neutral testimony and background information on the structure and process of the Mental Health Task Force convened by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), as the result of a 2017 budget proviso.
The Task Force consisted of 11 legislatively appointed members that included behavioral health providers, advocacy organizations, citizens with lived experience and other behavioral health experts. In addition, the meeting attendees included several KDADS staff members and a representative from the Kansas Legislative Research Department (KLRD). The meetings were facilitated by KHI, which also provided research and technical support to the Task Force. All decisions were made by the Task Force.
Beginning September 12, 2017, the Task Force met eight times to review, discuss and make recommendations related to seven topics. The Task Force prioritized for action 26 recommendations that would strengthen and improve the behavioral health system in Kansas. A final report was submitted to the Legislature on January 8, 2018, by KDADS on behalf of the Task Force.
Access the full Mental Health Task Force report here.*
*Note: This link lead to the KDADS website.