TOPEKA–Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Kari Bruffett on Thursday outlined the agency’s plans to revamp its behavioral health prevention efforts in order to provide more integrated care while strengthening behavioral health education and outreach.
”We know that behavioral health difficulties do not occur in a vacuum. They interact,” Secretary Bruffett said at a meeting of behavioral health advocates from across the state. ”Half of the individuals who enter our state hospitals for mental health treatment also have substance use difficulties. Those who struggle with problem gambling have higher rates of suicide than the rest of the population. To be successful, our approach needs to be more fully integrated.”
”We have made a decision to approach our prevention efforts comprehensively rather than in a piecemeal fashion as has been the case in the past,” the Secretary said.
In February, the agency issued a Request for Information (RFI) asking all of its current partners and other interested parties for ideas on how to create an integrated prevention and education system that works for all Kansans. RFI responses were due Tuesday, and after these are analyzed, the agency plans to issue one or more Requests for Proposal (RFI) to provide the newly revamped menu of services. The agency expects to award contracts for these services by June 30, 2015.
“Kansas is part of a nationwide effort. KDADS is following SAMHSA/HHS’ guidance in creating this integrated system, and we have invited our current partners to work with us on this project,” Secretary Bruffett said. “Data at both the state and national level underscore that now is the time to comprehensively address prevention efforts across the spectrum of behavioral health.”
”KDADS intends to integrate and innovate behavioral health prevention with outcome-based programs. We are doing this to eliminate duplicative efforts, reduce administrative costs and better leverage available resources,” the Secretary said. ”Focusing on our state’s needs, our intention is to provide better services to more people, and we welcome your participation in this effort.”
“As I am sure you are aware, some federal funding in the form of block grants has had restrictions attached to it in the past. We believe our restructuring will allow us to provide more efficient services,” the Secretary said.
In her remarks to advocates, Secretary Bruffett also outlined her agency’s diversion efforts.