Kansas Expanding Mental Health Program

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and his administration are investing $9.5 million in state and federal funds to expand mental health services and agency coordination.

Brownback said Tuesday the goal is to address the causes of mental health problems and provide treatment to people who use state services or are in the corrections system.

The governor said the state will put $7 million in federal funds from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program toward helping families with members who have behavioral health problems.

Law enforcement will also use state funds to improve training for officers to identify people in crisis.

The expansion of services was recommended by a mental health task force formed by Brownback in July 2013.