County health presentations: mental‑health awareness, WIC midyear budget revision approved

Riley County commissioners received updates on mental‑health services and the county WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program during the April 28 meeting.

A public‑health presenter opened by noting May as Mental Health Awareness Month and summarized statewide and national indicators cited in recent reports: changes in average mentally unhealthy days over recent years, provider‑to‑population ratios and a continued shortage of behavioral‑health providers. The presenter said local providers are seeing the effects of federal funding changes and emphasized ongoing training funded through a SAMHSA grant to support community behavioral health and primary‑behavioral health integration.

Keelan Seth, WIC supervisor, presented the WIC midyear budget revision required by the Kansas WIC program. Seth said the county must submit a midyear revision by May 2 to reflect staffing and permit costs. Key points Seth presented:

- The WIC program maintained about 106% of its assigned caseload against a 98% maintenance requirement. - Riley County initially received an allocation equal to the prior year rather than an increase; revised spending needs reflect merit raises and a dietitian position added in 2024 after a 23% caseload increase. - The midyear revision request totals about $1,130,239 for WIC and $92,183 for the breastfeeding peer counselor program; the latter change responds to higher employer health‑insurance elections. - A permit or lease recently required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for non‑DoD entities to remain on Fort Riley was identified as an allowable expense under state WIC rules but must be included in the county’s budget revision; the permit cost must still be confirmed.

After the presentation commissioners moved and seconded approval of the WIC fiscal‑year 2025 budget revision; the motion carried by voice vote.

Why it matters

The WIC midyear revision adjusts how federal and state grant dollars are budgeted locally; including the Army Corps permit in the grant budget will determine whether those permit-related costs can be reimbursed from WIC funds. Seth told the commission the permit expense is allowable under state rules but not automatically guaranteed—state approval of the revision is required.

The mental‑health briefing underscored two ongoing issues: persistent gaps between provider capacity and community need, and the effect of federal funding adjustments on local behavioral‑health providers.

Speakers relevant to this article

- Keelan Seth, WIC supervisor (Riley County WIC) - Public health presenter (unnamed) — delivered the mental‑health awareness briefing

Provenance

- Mental‑health briefing (topicintro): transcript segment beginning at 1845.885 — "Good morning, and thank you for having me this morning. Have a few things for you. So the month of May is mental health awareness month..." (reason_code: topicintro) - Mental‑health briefing (topicfinish): transcript segment beginning at 2478.6401 — concluding remarks and transition to next item (reason_code: topicfinish)

- WIC budget revision (topicintro): transcript segment beginning at 6013.185 — Keelan Seth introduces the WIC midyear request and explains caseload and funding context (reason_code: topicintro) - WIC budget revision (topicfinish): transcript segment beginning at 6390.05 — motion and voice vote recorded approving the budget revision (reason_code: topicfinish)