Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
TOPEKA–Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Kari Bruffett announced this week the launch of the agency’s Behavioral Health Recovery Resources Loan Program (BHRRLP) to provide additional community resources for those with behavioral health challenges.
“We all know how important it is to have a home –somewhere to feel safe and secure,” Secretary Bruffett said. “This program is being launched to help Kansas communities build up the infrastructure to support adults with behavioral health needs and create more alternatives to institutionalization. The right support is critical to being able to maintain people in their communities in the least restrictive setting possible.”
The BHRRLP will provide no-interest loans for the purchase of property, the remodeling of existing property and the purchase of equipment and vehicles. Assets purchased with BHRRLP funds are to be used to enhance resources available in local communities and to provide additional service options for adults with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and/or co-occurring disorders. Loan proceeds may not be used for service delivery or administrative purposes.
The purpose of the program is to establish and support alternative community programing, decreasing reliance on State Mental Health Hospitals (SMHHs).
The program is intended to increase 24-hour community diversion options for individuals with co-occurring mental health and/or a substance use disorder; and increase 24-hour community options for individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, have self-care failure issues, are at risk of being reported to adult protective services, or at risk of incarceration.
Eligible applicants include:
Community Mental Health Centers(CMHCs)
Community-based organizations
Private mental health providers
Substance Use Disorder Providers
Housing agencies
Consumer Run Organizations (CROs)
Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDOs)
Community hospitals
Faith-based organizations
Regional Recovery Centers
Nursing Facilities for Mental Health (NFMH)
KDADS is funding this program with proceeds from the 2014 sale of the Rainbow Mental Health Facility building, supplemented by funding included in the Governor’s 2016 budget, the latter of which is subject to appropriations. The agency is making up to $2.5 million available for these loans. The minimum individual loan amount is $30,000. Loan repayment funds will be considered for reinvestment in future loan programs in support of this or similar programs.
KDADS will post loan program details and application requirements on April 27, 2015, on its website at http://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/csp/behavioral-health/providers/bhs-funding-opportunities.
The deadline for submitting applications will be Friday, May 29, 2015. The agency expects to disburse the proceeds of approved loans on July 1, 2015.