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Behavioral health provider tells Dickinson County it needs more support to sustain crisis services
Summary
Central Kansas reported serving 5,309 people in 2025, showed clinical improvements near 79–80% across measured outcomes, described greater reliance on Medicaid revenue and asked Dickinson County for a 3% funding increase to sustain crisis response and community-based care.
Central Kansas told the Dickinson County Commission on Tuesday that its shift to a certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) model expanded access but increased operating requirements, and the organization is seeking a 3% increase in county funding to sustain crisis response and community-based services.
At a study-session presentation, a Central Kansas representative said the organization provided care to 5,309 individuals in 2025, about 300 more than in 2024. Measured outcomes included an approximately 79–80% improvement for groups tracked for attendance, externalizing behaviors, academics and anxiety/depression, the presenter said.
The presenter described operational changes since achieving CCBHC certification: same-day access for initial appointments, mobile crisis response in schools and jails, and a broader continuum of services that the organization must staff and finance year-round. "We now have same-day access. Person can call in, walk in, they're seen same day," the presenter said.
Commissioners pressed for budget detail. The presenter said Central Kansas's 2025 budget is roughly $23,000,000 and that about 72% of revenue comes from Medicaid; rates are set through a multi-year costing study and may vary, producing large year-to-year swings in cash flow. The presenter also described reserve dollars as required for safety-net continuity and for supporting capital investments such as a youth building discussed during the presentation.
Central Kansas highlighted a newly signed memorandum of understanding with the Dickinson County sheriff’s office to provide mental-health services inside the jail and said some community-based crisis interventions cannot be billed to Medicaid. "We cannot bill anything when I go into the jail because it's all inclusive in the jail's responsibility," the presenter said, describing the MOU as a way to stretch county dollars.
The presenter asked the commission for a 3% increase in Dickinson County funding to reflect growth in individuals served and to support continuing crisis stabilization work. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the breakdown of Medicaid versus other revenue, the use of carryover and whether reserves could be used for operating shortfalls; the presenter said federal and state Medicaid funding is restricted to Medicaid-eligible services and populations and that reserve and interest income are being reinvested in infrastructure to avoid loans.
Why it matters: Central Kansas provides front-line crisis response and outpatient services across the county; the commission’s funding decision will affect the provider’s capacity to maintain same-day access, mobile crisis work and jail-based services, and could shift demand to law enforcement and emergency departments if services are reduced.
Next steps: Central Kansas said it will continue conversations with county and city officials about crisis-stabilization options and potential local investments; the presenter offered to return for further briefings and data at the commission’s request.
