Children & Parents

Youth Community Based Services

Community Based Services for Children and Youth (CBS) are available for children and adolescents who are experiencing mental health challenges. Untreated, this could put them at risk for things like depression or self harming behavior, poor grades and attendance, worsening physical health, deteriorating home environment and possibly even hospitalization. These highly specialized supports are available exclusively through Central Kansas Mental Health Center.

These services are designed to meet the individual needs of the children and youth who experience significant emotional/behavioral issues. Community Based Services are exclusively individualized when symptoms are significant enough to disrupt their ability to function socially, academically and/or emotionally.

Central Kansas Mental Health Center’s system of care provides educational opportunities and therapeutic programming that is available for children in their homes, schools and communities.

Staff within the CBS department are specially trained to work with children with mental health needs. We have early intervention and prevention programming, as well as the core services to serve children and their families.

Parents, families, educators, physicians, mental health professionals and community agencies are all encouraged to participate and/or contact Central Kansas Mental Health Center to discuss the appropriate mental health services for a particular child.

CBS Services

Specialized, recovery and strength based services are available to patients who have the mental health conditions which include difficulty functioning. These services are carefully tailored to the needs of the individual and family within a mutually determined treatment plan with goals and objectives.

The range of services include case management, psychosocial groups, attendant care and support for parents of youth who meet criteria.

These services include, but are not limited to:

Case Management
The Children’s Case Management program provides individualized mental health services to children and adolescents who are designated as SED (Serious Emotional Disturbance) and experience significant disruptions socially, academically, and/or emotionally. Our Case Management team builds upon the strengths of each child, their family and the family’s community to provide an array of support, services, and evidence based practices with reduction in suspensions, truancy, hospitalization, law enforcement contact, improvements in grades, increased school attendance, and permanent homes.
Psychosocial Group
Provided on an individual or group basis for children of all ages, to help them learn social skills so they can be successful at home, school or in the community.
- In-School Psychosocial Groups
  - Saline County:
    K-Prep Therapeutic Preschool
    Heusner Elementary School
    Meadowlark Elementary School
    Sunset Elementary School
    Lakewood Middle School
    Central High School
  - Dickinson County:
    Kennedy Elementary School
    McKinley Elementary School
    Eisenhower Elementary School
    Abilene Middle School
    Chapman Elementary School
    Herington Elementary School
- Community Psychosocial Groups (Salina)
  - Opportunities Unlimited (OPPS): Participants learn social and living skills in a structured setting. Patients meet SED criteria and are ages 5-11 years.
  - Community Youth Program (CYP): Participants learn psychosocial skills and participate in community activities; “basic” psychosocial training. Patients meet SED criteria and are ages 11 to 18 years old.
Wraparound Facilitation
Wraparound facilitators help wrap families with supports through a caring team that consists of parents, guardians, family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and mental health professionals. The wrap around team assists the child and family in identifying strengths and needs and developing a Plan of Care that guides the child and family towards success.
Parent Support
Parent Support is specifically designed to focus on the parent’s unique needs. This service offers a lending ear from someone who understands and can provide educational tools and strategies. It is important to recognize that parents also need time for self-care to be the best parent they can be.
Martin Youth Center
Learn more about the Martin Youth Center.

These programs are therapeutic in nature, with the goal of helping youth develop the social and interpersonal skills necessary to bolster their confidence levels to be successful in his/her home, school and community.

For more information, contact John Lobato, Community Based Services Director, at 785-823-6322.

Educational Partnerships

K-Prep Therapeutic Preschool
K-Prep Therapeutic Preschool is a joint partnership between CKMHC, Heartland Programs, Central Kansas Cooperative in Education, and USD 305. K-Prep serves at-risk four year olds who have been excluded from regular preschool and/or childcare settings due to emotional or behavioral problems. It is an intensive treatment program with an education and family wellness component which includes Psychosocial Group, Individual Psychosocial, Case Management, and Therapy on site. To learn more about this program and how to apply for it, contact Jennifer Kaufman at 785-823-6322. Click here for more information.
Therapeutic Learning Center
TLC is a self-contained special education classroom with intensive community based mental health services for the Meadowlark Elementary special education youth identified as having emotional and behavioral disability. This program provides the highest level of services to keep youth in school and in their communities. TLC includes Psychosocial Groups, Individual Psychosocial, Case Management, and Therapy on site.
Lakewood Middle School Partnership
CKMHC and USD 305 partner together to support the self-contained special education classroom at Lakewood Middle School with intensive community based mental health services. These youth have been identified as having emotional and behavioral disability. This program provides the highest level of services available to keep youth in school and in their communities utilizing Psychosocial Groups, Individual Psychosocial, Case Management, and Therapy on site.
Opportunity Now
Opportunity Now is a self-contained special education classroom with intensive community based mental health services for High School special education youth identified as having emotional and behavioral disability. Opportunity Now offers a small, supportive environment while providing the highest level of services available to keep youth in school and in their community including Psychosocial Groups, Individual Psychosocial, Case Management, and Therapy on site.

SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE (SED) Waiver

The SED Waiver program is designed for children in the State of Kansas at risk for being removed from their homes or hospitalized due to severe emotional and behavioral difficulties. The SED Waiver is based on the financial and clinical eligibility of the child, while providing a state medical card and the ability to access extensive mental health services to help the child remain in his/her home and community. Click here for more information.

Success Stories

“If it wasn’t for this place I would have died a long time ago. Thank God for you.”

“Please know and believe that your gifts and leadership ARE truly changing the world, you have definitely changed ours!”

“As a client of CKMHC, I was treated with dignity. This center provides empathy and patience which is so important.”

“My son spent a number of years in a VA hospital before I brought him to Kansas. The Crossroads program SAVED his life. The help he got was the greatest. I am indebted to you and have referred a lot of people to your program.”

“By far the best doctor I have ever had (and I have had a lot). Keep up the good work.”

“My son has been in and out of jail and I was struggling with what to do. I called the mental health center and was able to get all the information I needed and everyone was so nice. I couldn’t believe how wonderful everyone was to talk to, everyone really cared about my situation and wanted to really help us.”

“Our case manager shares information, resources and perspective on life with a flare of kindness that rivals none. She invests that flare into our community and families and makes our Salina a beautiful place, filled with encouraged souls.”

“So much investment being shared from so many people into our son… I can’t wait to see what he grows into!”

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Success Stories