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  <channel>
    <title>Mental Health</title>
    <link>https://www.jocogov.org/</link>
    <description/>
    <language>en</language>
    
    <item>
  <title>PASTA advocates for grandparents</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/best-times/may-june-2026/pasta-advocates-grandparents</link>
  <description>&lt;span property="schema:name"&gt;PASTA advocates for grandparents&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span rel="schema:author"&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/151" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="tim.phenicie@jocogov.org"&gt;tim.phenicie@j…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2026-04-20T20:46:50+00:00"&gt;&lt;time datetime="2026-04-20T15:46:50-05:00" title="Monday, April 20, 2026 - 15:46"&gt;Mon, 04/20/2026 - 15:46&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

  
  
  

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          &lt;img src="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/images/2026-04/PASTA%20Advocacy%20Day.jpg" alt="Older adults wearing yellow PASTA shirts"&gt;
                         &lt;p class="image-text__body--image-caption"&gt;
  From left to right: Leo Lankford III, Kansas Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau, and PASTA members Terry Menegay, Anita and Paul Watters, and Tammy and Mike Shepherd.
&lt;/p&gt;
                   &lt;/div&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;By Nathan Carter&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Wearing matching yellow shirts and carrying handmade pasta bracelets, grandparents from Johnson County Mental Health Center’s Parenting a Second Time Around support group visited the Kansas State Capitol in February for an advocacy day highlighting prevention programs across the state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Parenting a Second Time Around, or PASTA, is a support group for grandparents, relatives or caregivers re-entering a parenting role.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The group was started by Johnson County Mental Health Center in 2024 and meets twice each month at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church in Leawood.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The visit to Topeka was the group’s first step toward a new goal, using the strength and support they have found in each other to advocate for themselves and other grandparents going through similar experiences.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tammy Shepherd, a grandparent who visited Topeka with the PASTA group, said that advocacy is a crucial piece of the puzzle for supporting the well-being of Kansas children.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“When grandparents step in to care for their grandchildren and provide the stable and loving home that best supports their needs, they should be equipped with the necessary financial resources to properly provide for their grandchild,” Shepherd said. “By championing these resources and the needs of grandparents like us, we can help create a foundation where both the children and their grandparents can thrive.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There are approximately 50,000 children in Kansas being raised by their grandparents. Despite facing similar situations and challenges, many of those grandparents are unable to access resources foster parents can, like Medicaid, SNAP, TANF and respite care.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While in Topeka, the grandparents from PASTA visited the offices of 31 Johnson County legislators, providing information about their group, sharing their experiences and giving out handmade bracelets made of colorful, uncooked pieces of rigatoni.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Several legislators helped the group connect with other partners and resources to support their advocacy efforts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For Leo Lankford III, the community prevention coordinator from Johnson County Mental Health Center, the visit to Topeka was a moment of pride and gratitude. He started the PASTA support group in 2024.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to Lankford, the group is not just participating but investing in one another and a larger purpose.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“When the group first started, my hope was simply to create a space where people felt connected and supported, but seeing those relationships grow into something that’s extending beyond our meetings feels like a sign that the group has taken on a life of its own,” he said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;PASTA is open to grandparents, relatives or caregivers re-entering a parenting role and needing a supportive community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Registration for upcoming meetings is available at &lt;a href="https://connect.jocogov.org/mental-health-training"&gt;connect.jocogov.org/mental-health-training&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Nathan Carter is the Community Relations Manager at the Johnson County Mental Health Center.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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</description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:46:50 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>tim.phenicie@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">8008 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
    </item>
<item>
  <title>Go Further Foundation provides free Mental Health First Aid training for 100 people through Johnson County Mental Health Center</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/newsroom/go-further-foundation-provides-free-mental-health-first-aid-training-100-people-through-johnson-county-mental-health-center</link>
  <description>&lt;span&gt;Go Further Foundation provides free Mental Health First Aid training for 100 people through Johnson County Mental Health Center&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/429" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org"&gt;Sophia.Misle@j…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;time datetime="2026-04-07T14:57:16-05:00" title="Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - 14:57"&gt;Tue, 04/07/2026 - 14:57&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

  &lt;time datetime="2026-04-07T12:00:00Z"&gt;April 7, 2026&lt;/time&gt;


    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
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  &lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Recognizing that mental health challenges often appear first in everyday interactions between family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, the&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://olt45mtab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LakH4-HJAR0Vg9AFMG-ztiti3BmcJhXWdVjwNTvQkwWrH6W_n1U5hKwS1JQxiLyPUW6GIvuuxv3hVs2e408EtC1xxRnf-cd8yoabqeiCELJJsynvwEP8gFPzOFxMQ15Kav7W4zssJH5OfQKncioUP_vInlxCiVNVIltguyCTXus=&amp;amp;c=Ch7Qh6D1ngTB5jfDeanX-rHG1RbKX7JQvZb_dsmgDC7aywnRbXPcaQ==&amp;amp;ch=zoKpOrBXisyv-Rq1TYPQs2zgV1Xmv0hgBOXoZFUEWwNiCiNcYCjTHQ=="&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Go Further Foundation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and Johnson County Mental Health Center are partnering to train 100 people in Mental Health First Aid at no cost.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Through the partnership, Johnson County Mental Health Center will provide four Mental Health First Aid training classes from April through November with the Go Further Foundation covering the $50 registration fees for 100 community members.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;“Our hope is to not only equip participants to act during a mental health crisis, but to tear down walls around mental health discussions altogether,” said Mark Potts, president of the Go Further Foundation. “We believe the more we educate ourselves on the impacts of mental health, the more conversations we have, and the more conversations we have, the more destigmatized mental health becomes.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Mental Health First Aid is an interactive training designed to help people recognize when someone may be struggling with their mental health and respond with confidence and compassion. Participants learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, how to approach and support someone in crisis and how to connect them to appropriate resources and professional help.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;“Knowing how to identify, understand and respond to a mental health crisis can make a life-changing difference. Like learning CPR, Mental Health First Aid gives people the knowledge and skills to provide immediate support and be a bridge to professional help,” said Tim DeWeese, Johnson County Mental Health Center’s director and a Mental Health First Aid trainer. “I’m grateful to the Go Further Foundation for making this commitment to train 100 people in our community in 2026.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;a href="https://olt45mtab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LakH4-HJAR0Vg9AFMG-ztiti3BmcJhXWdVjwNTvQkwWrH6W_n1U5hKwS1JQxiLyPTXWw1f33Me2anzzLHezP8eRGA2s3flAsBpQ-BUVXa9llSMqZb_QiICccptaNaPtMhRUnRPu8AnCUVdbFxmgS1_69RBjK6LQuj-r2qo0pILd4Ovduu_GsJA==&amp;amp;c=Ch7Qh6D1ngTB5jfDeanX-rHG1RbKX7JQvZb_dsmgDC7aywnRbXPcaQ==&amp;amp;ch=zoKpOrBXisyv-Rq1TYPQs2zgV1Xmv0hgBOXoZFUEWwNiCiNcYCjTHQ=="&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Registration is now open for the four free classes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Each class includes two hours of online pre-work and a six-hour in-person training. The first class will be held on Saturday, April 18 at Netsmart in Overland Park.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Go Further Foundation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;The Go Further Foundation is a Kansas City-based nonprofit organization building a connected community dedicated to personal and professional growth. They take a positive, proactive approach to mental health, providing education and resources that serve as a constant reminder that no one is on their journey alone. As a proud community of early career professionals, they are passionate about mentorship, supporting one another and partnering with community-based organizations across Kansas City to help participants grow their tribe. More information is available at&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://olt45mtab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LakH4-HJAR0Vg9AFMG-ztiti3BmcJhXWdVjwNTvQkwWrH6W_n1U5hKwS1JQxiLyPLaSOwO7x9oml8Pwy8VstQHstLMLgufINJZ9OgxJNt3Nut3vZ57Y6DOo2ZpMAvO1Qpe7rXaviga_Tq5jK7OX-gca5Lhbe8_UnLA3CTX6zAG4=&amp;amp;c=Ch7Qh6D1ngTB5jfDeanX-rHG1RbKX7JQvZb_dsmgDC7aywnRbXPcaQ==&amp;amp;ch=zoKpOrBXisyv-Rq1TYPQs2zgV1Xmv0hgBOXoZFUEWwNiCiNcYCjTHQ=="&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;gofurtherfoundation.org&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Johnson County Mental Health Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), Johnson County Mental Health Center offers a wide range of mental health and substance use services for adults and children in Johnson County. More information about those services is available by visiting&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://olt45mtab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LakH4-HJAR0Vg9AFMG-ztiti3BmcJhXWdVjwNTvQkwWrH6W_n1U5hKwS1JQxiLyPyF5ecEbAiXtO5dESXocLxh53zzxjGVhZEXaF3ZUL7TqggmICTyAVwqWIvkQypZz6CL__Ct21eR0hP_fHlYzQ0Bvb-so0-eGHBWfM1hokCoYjgVvNWVNMSC5_xjrDRsrQgHtfS3nV7yBrj6xKX_SEFzapxLxMa7JI4pbvEpfV5nJ9DkakyQhz7bk6o0dbc1eN&amp;amp;c=Ch7Qh6D1ngTB5jfDeanX-rHG1RbKX7JQvZb_dsmgDC7aywnRbXPcaQ==&amp;amp;ch=zoKpOrBXisyv-Rq1TYPQs2zgV1Xmv0hgBOXoZFUEWwNiCiNcYCjTHQ=="&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;jocogov.org/mentalhealth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;or calling the 24/7 crisis line at &lt;a href="tel:913-268-0156"&gt;913-268-0156&lt;/a&gt; to connect with a local, licensed mental health professional.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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      &lt;strong&gt;Department: &lt;/strong&gt;
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    &lt;i class="far fa-building"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
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  Mental Health

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        &lt;strong&gt;Category: &lt;/strong&gt;
     
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    &lt;i class="far fa-tags fa-fw icon"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
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  News Releases

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&lt;/div&gt;

  &lt;/div&gt;
</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:57:16 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7973 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
    </item>
<item>
  <title>Mental Health Medical Records Requests</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/department/mental-health/accessing-services/mental-health-medical-records-requests</link>
  <description>&lt;span property="schema:name"&gt;Mental Health Medical Records Requests&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span rel="schema:author"&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/402" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="nathan.carter@jocogov.org"&gt;nathan.carter@…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2026-04-06T15:14:09+00:00"&gt;&lt;time datetime="2026-04-06T10:14:09-05:00" title="Monday, April 6, 2026 - 10:14"&gt;Mon, 04/06/2026 - 10:14&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
            &lt;div class="body"&gt;
      
  &lt;p&gt;If you need a copy of your medical records from Johnson County Mental Health Center, please print and complete the &lt;a data-entity-substitution="media" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="0f80d1fc-c4e2-4ca5-9def-39e0f6885702" href="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/files/2026-04/Mental%20Health%20-%20Authorization%20to%20Disclose%20Protected%20Healthcare%20Information.pdf"&gt;Authorization to Disclose Protected Healthcare Information (English)&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a data-entity-substitution="media" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="5b926fef-fac3-42a4-bf0c-6ab20da93e50" href="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/files/2026-04/Mental%20Health%20-%20Autorizacion%20para%20Divulgar%20Informacion%20de%20Atencion%20de%20Salud%20Protegida.pdf"&gt;Autorización para Divulgar Información de Atención de Salud Protegida (Español)&lt;/a&gt; and return it to JCMHC by mail, email or fax.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mail:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;Johnson County Mental Health Center, 6000 Lamar Ave., Suite 130, Mission, KS 66202&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Email:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:MNH-MedRecords@jocogov.org"&gt;MNH-MedRecords@jocogov.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fax:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;913-715-2533&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can also view and download your health information, including your summary of care, medication list and lab results, through &lt;a href="https://myhpconsumer.netsmartcloud.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f"&gt;myHealthPointe&lt;/a&gt;, Johnson County Mental Health Center's client portal.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If you need medical or immunization records from the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, please visit their &lt;a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="4c93faeb-ad96-4603-b59c-7f03adb9b7e0" href="https://www.jocogov.org/department/health/public-health-clinic-medical-records-request"&gt;Medical Records Request&lt;/a&gt; page.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
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  Instructions and Assistance
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  &lt;p&gt;Instructions for completing the authorization forms are available in &lt;a data-entity-substitution="media" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="3a676c43-ee2e-4a2a-a2c6-c42ebb1b7c8b" href="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/files/2026-04/MNH_Authorization_Disclose_PHI_Instructions_English_0.pdf"&gt;English&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a data-entity-substitution="media" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="79ad59fd-f3fa-40d8-9f8b-407b481db5e5" href="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/files/2026-04/MNH_Authorization_Disclose_PHI_Instructions_Spanish_0.pdf"&gt;Spanish (Español)&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have questions or need additional help, please call JCMHC's Medical Records Team at &lt;a href="tel:913-826-1537"&gt;913-826-1537&lt;/a&gt;. Our team is available to help and can schedule an in-person appointment for further assistance, if needed.&lt;/p&gt;

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  Confidentiality and Records Maintenance
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  &lt;p&gt;Johnson County Mental Health Center is committed to safeguarding the privacy of our clients' medical records. All records are maintained with strict confidentiality and will only be released with the client's explicit consent, except in cases where release is required by law.&lt;/p&gt;

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</description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:14:09 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>nathan.carter@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7970 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
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<item>
  <title>Women’s History Month Spotlight: County Employees Shaping a Sustainable Future</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/newsroom/womens-history-month-spotlight-county-employees-shaping-sustainable-future</link>
  <description>&lt;span&gt;Women’s History Month Spotlight: County Employees Shaping a Sustainable Future&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/235" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org"&gt;tim.dodderidge…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;time datetime="2026-02-26T15:05:11-06:00" title="Thursday, February 26, 2026 - 15:05"&gt;Thu, 02/26/2026 - 15:05&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

  &lt;time datetime="2026-02-26T12:00:00Z"&gt;February 26, 2026&lt;/time&gt;


  
  
  

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  &lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;March is Women’s History Month, which celebrates the accomplishments of women throughout American history. This year's theme is "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future&lt;/strong&gt;," recognizing the impact women have made in making our communities more sustainable amid a variety of global challenges.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;During Women's History Month, Johnson County Government is celebrating women who are contributing to the sustainability of our community through environmental, economic, education and social justice efforts. Serving in the areas of stormwater management, mental health and more, these employees are helping make our county a better place for all. We celebrate them and all of the women with Johnson County Government for their dedication to public service!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-right image-medium"&gt;
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  Supporting Vulnerable People with Housing Needs
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          &lt;img src="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/images/2026-02/Women%27s%20History%20Month%202026%20-%20Heather%20McNeive.jpg" alt="Heather McNeive wearing a hard hat at a Habitat for Humanity project"&gt;
                   &lt;/div&gt;
                    
  &lt;h3&gt;Heather McNeive, Housing Services&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;As Housing Services Director, Heather McNeive oversees efforts to address Johnson County’s housing needs for low-income and vulnerable households. This work is carried out by the Housing Services team, which delivers critical economic and housing sustainability services with dignity and respect.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;McNeive helps with implementation of programs including the Housing Choice Voucher or “Section 8” rental assistance program, which serves the lowest-income and most vulnerable members of our community. Her department has made strides to expand access for households experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations through initiatives such as the Limited Homeless Preference and the Foster Youth to Independence voucher program, which supports young adults aging out of foster care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;In addition, the department’s home repair programs preserve the long-term affordability and quality of the community’s affordable housing stock. McNeive is proud of her team’s commitment to improving homeowners’ quality of life while ensuring these homes remain available to future generations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;“As a woman in public service, I strive to lead with integrity, self-reliance, and accountability. Throughout my career, I have been guided by exceptional female mentors who modeled professionalism, perseverance, and principled leadership. Their example has reinforced my commitment to advocating for low-income housing programs that are essential to the strength and stability of our community,” McNeive said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

          &lt;/div&gt;
  &lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-right image-medium"&gt;
            &lt;h2 class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Improving the Environment Through Stormwater Management
&lt;/h2&gt;
        &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body--image"&gt;
          &lt;img src="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/images/2026-02/Women%27s%20History%20Month%202026%20-%20Heather%20Schmidt.png" alt="Heather Schmidt standing in front of a stormwater detention pond"&gt;
                   &lt;/div&gt;
                    
  &lt;h3&gt;Heather Schmidt, Public Works&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;In her current role as the Program Manager for the Stormwater Management Program, Heather Schmidt works with her team on the issues of flood risk and water quality in Johnson County. Her department develops programs and provides funding assistance to municipalities to implement sustainable approaches to address flood risk and improve water quality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Schmidt began as the water quality specialist for the program. A large part of this role entailed education residents on what they could do to make environmentally sustainable decisions in their everyday lives&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;—&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt; specifically, activities that could impact stormwater pollution. Then, as project manager in the program, she participated in a strategic planning process that opened up the program to nature-based solutions and green infrastructure. This led to a major project to complete watershed master plans for the entire county – for which Schmidt was the project manager. She is particularly proud of this work. as it laid the groundwork for advancing environmentally sustainable programs and projects through the program in the future.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Schmidt has worked in public service her entire career, starting with the U.S. Geological Survey where she learned data collection for streamflow and water quality that helped keep the public informed of flood risk and water quality conditions in their communities. That work continues through her current position as Stormwater Management works to reduce flood risk and improve water quality for residents.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;“As a woman in the public sector, particularly in a science-based field, I am encouraged by the changes in representation I’ve seen over the years,” Schmidt said. “Early in my career, I was sometimes the only or one of a few women in the room, I’m encouraged by that not being the case as much anymore, and I’m excited to work with the next generation of women passionate about public service and the environment. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

          &lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-right image-medium"&gt;
            &lt;h2 class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Managing Wastewater Communications Efforts
&lt;/h2&gt;
        &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body--image"&gt;
          &lt;img src="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/images/2026-03/Women%27s%20History%20Month%202026%20-%20Melissa%20Reeves.jpg" alt="Women's History Month 2026 - Melissa Reeves"&gt;
                   &lt;/div&gt;
                    
  &lt;h3&gt;Melissa Reeves, Wastewater&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Community Relations Manager Melissa Reeves' role leading communications and community engagement for Johnson County Wastewater gives her a unique opportunity to tell stories to residents that connect clean water infrastructure to the public servants who provide these important services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Reeves coordinates outreach with local schools, which helps team members educate students on Wastewater's role in public health and inspire the next generation of water sector leaders. Additionally, she manages the internship and job shadow program, manages it web content, social media pages and customer newsletter, and creates content that educates the community and celebrates team members. Reeves also leads internal communication for more than 200 employees.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A sanitary sewer utility may not traditionally be a place where women feel empowered to grow their careers, but to Reeves, that's what makes Johnson County Wastewater special. This is an agency with women leaders throughout, which includes its General Manager and Chief Engineer. Not only does Reeves get to fulfill her calling to be a public servant, but she gets to do it in an organization that allows her to be her whole self.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“I am fortunate to serve alongside some of the most brilliant, hard-working and impactful people I have ever met. This includes not only the amazing, awe-inspiring women I serve with, but everyone in my organization who celebrates our work, champions our ascension, and encourages us to take up space," Reeves said.&lt;/p&gt;

          &lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;/div&gt;

  
  


&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-right image-medium"&gt;
            &lt;h2 class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Leading Change in Mental Health and Community Well-Being
&lt;/h2&gt;
        &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body--image"&gt;
          &lt;img src="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/images/2026-02/Women%27s%20History%20Month%202026%20-%20Shana%20Burgess%20and%20Liz%20Worth.jpg" alt="Shana Burgess and Liz Worth"&gt;
                   &lt;/div&gt;
                    
  &lt;h3&gt;Shana Burgess and Liz Worth, Mental Health&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Liz Worth and Shana Burgess with Johnson County Mental Health Center bring heart and strategy to the work of making mental health care more accessible, equitable and sustainable. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Worth, a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, serves as Deputy Director at the Mental Health Center, and Burgess, a Licensed Master Social Worker, serves as Director of Prevention and Community Relations. Between the two of them, their leadership centers dignity, access and long-term impact, especially for communities that have historically faced barriers to care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;With more than 23 years in community mental health, Worth brings a whole-health lens to leadership, grounded in both clinical experience and advocacy. Her leadership style is shaped by empathy, inclusion and relationship-building, paired with a strong drive to turn vision into action. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;“Mental health care is strongest when it is rooted in community,” Worth said. “When we work together to reduce stigma and expand access, we build resilience that supports people across every stage of life.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Burgess brings more than 20 years of experience strengthening individual and community health, with a particular focus on mental health and suicide prevention. In her role, she leads Prevention Services, Community Relations and Employee Experience teams, translating community needs into action through strategic communication and community mobilization. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;"It's a privilege to support the people and partnerships that strengthen our community’s wellbeing. The work is both humbling and motivating, shaping my growth and deepening my commitment to serving those who show up each day for this shared purpose,” Burgess said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Together, Worth and Burgess show how women’s leadership strengthens systems by centering relationships, equity and shared responsibility. Their work reflects a long-term commitment to building mental health supports that are not only effective, but trusted and accessible for all people&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;—&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt; regardless of background, identity or circumstance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

          &lt;/div&gt;
  &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;div class="field-department"&gt;
      &lt;strong&gt;Department: &lt;/strong&gt;
        &lt;div class="taxonomy--department"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class="far fa-building"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
  &lt;/span&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__name"&gt;
  
  Housing

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

      &lt;div class="taxonomy--department"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class="far fa-building"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
  &lt;/span&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__name"&gt;
  
  Mental Health

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

      &lt;div class="taxonomy--department"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class="far fa-building"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
  &lt;/span&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__name"&gt;
  
  Public Works

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

      &lt;div class="taxonomy--department"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class="far fa-building"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
  &lt;/span&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__name"&gt;
  
  Wastewater

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

  &lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div class="field-category"&gt;
        &lt;strong&gt;Category: &lt;/strong&gt;
     
      &lt;div class="taxonomy--category"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--category__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class="far fa-tags fa-fw icon"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
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  &lt;span class="taxonomy--category__name"&gt;
  
  News

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&lt;/div&gt;

  &lt;/div&gt;
</description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:05:11 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7912 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
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<item>
  <title>JCMHC's 2026 Kansas State Legislative Priorities and Recommendations</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/jcmhcs-2026-kansas-state-legislative-priorities-and-recommendations</link>
  <description>&lt;span property="schema:name"&gt;JCMHC's 2026 Kansas State Legislative Priorities and Recommendations&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span rel="schema:author"&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/429" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org"&gt;Sophia.Misle@j…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2026-01-29T21:54:06+00:00"&gt;&lt;time datetime="2026-01-29T15:54:06-06:00" title="Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 15:54"&gt;Thu, 01/29/2026 - 15:54&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--accordion-group paragraph-margin"&gt;
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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Expand The Armory Project in Kansas with Civil Liability Legislation
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;The Armory Project partners with Federal Firearms License holders to provide voluntary, temporary firearm storage to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Establishing TAP locations at local gun shops offers a trusted, professional option that may be more likely to be used by gun owners.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Secure and Protect Initiative:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a href="jocogov.org/secure-protect-initiative"&gt;jocogov.org/secure-protect-initiative&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Armory Project (TAP):&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a href="armoryproject.org"&gt;armoryproject.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To date, through outreach by Johnson County Mental Health Center, one gun shop in Johnson County—Up in Arms Kansas in De Soto—has agreed to be a TAP location. Other shops have expressed interest, but liability concerns are a barrier to them participating. We are asking for your support to change that.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Two other states, Arkansas and Louisiana, have successfully expanded The Armory Project by passing legislation to protect FFL holders from civil liability tied to the voluntary, temporary firearm storage they provide. In the two states, TAP participation grew from six retailers to over 30 after the legislation was passed, and they have responsibly stored over 1,000 firearms for 90 people in crisis.&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Invest in the State Hospital System for Involuntary Admissions
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;The foundation of an excellent public mental health safety-net system is a robust, well-funded State Hospital System. Individuals requiring involuntary admissions in Kansas do not have immediate access to inpatient beds.&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Fund the Kansas 988 Suicide &amp;amp; Crisis Lifeline
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;The passage of SB 19 by the Kansas Legislature in 2022 was a success and helped create the foundation of the 988 Suicide &amp;amp; Crisis Lifeline. As awareness of this resource grows and call volume increases, there is a need for ongoing, sustainable funding.&lt;/p&gt;

          &lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Increase Access to Critical Housing Resources
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;The lack of stable housing resources for individuals with a mental illness remains an issue across Kansas. Stable housing is a social determinant of health, and without that basic need being met, recovery becomes more challenging. We support the funding and implementation of the Medicaid housing programs that were approved and funded by the Kansas Legislature in 2018.&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Expand Medicaid in Kansas and Address the Needs of the Uninsured and Underinsured, Keeping the Promise of Mental Health Reform
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;Expanding Medicaid would strengthen the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model in Kansas, providing care for thousands of Kansans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Expansion would also save Johnson County taxpayers over $11 million annually in uncompensated mental health treatment currently provided by JCMHC. Even with the CCBHC model, the lack of Medicaid expansion requires sustained funding for behavioral health care services for the uninsured and underinsured. Community mental health providers like JCMHC help Kansas communities avoid more expensive and restrictive interventions at emergency rooms, hospitals or jails.&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Increase State-Funded Grants for Substance Use Disorder Treatment
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;Given the increasingly complex and challenging needs of individuals and families within our communities, as well as the prevalence of drugs and other social problems, it is more important than ever that individuals have access to alcohol and drug treatment services in coordination with mental health services, embracing medication-assisted treatment or medication-assisted recovery as a pathway to recovery.&lt;/p&gt;

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  &lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Oppose Efforts to Destabilize the Public Mental Health System
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;Recent advances, including the CCBHC model and the 988 Suicide &amp;amp; Crisis Lifeline, are foundational to Kansas’ mental health system. Sustaining funding is essential to maintaining these programs. Any proposed changes must be thoroughly evaluated to protect the integrity of the public mental health safety net.&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Expand Assisted Outpatient Therapy
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;Expanding access to Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs statewide would improve mental health outcomes, reduce hospitalizations and enhance public safety. AOT provides court-ordered, community-based mental health treatment for individuals with severe mental illness who have a history of non-adherence to voluntary treatment and repeated hospitalizations or law enforcement encounters.&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Expand Community-Based Competency Evaluation and Restoration
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;Expanding community-based competency evaluation and restoration programs statewide would reduce delays in criminal proceedings, alleviate pressure on state psychiatric hospitals, and improve outcomes for individuals with mental illness. These programs allow defendants who do not require hospital-level care to receive evaluation and treatment in community settings rather than jails or state hospitals.&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;/div&gt;

  
  


&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Take a Thoughtful Approach to Medical Marijuana
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;As Kansas considers the legalization of medical marijuana, it is critical to prioritize research and regulation. A thoughtful approach must consider medicinal benefits, potential mental health complications and the risks associated with increased youth exposure and use. Careful regulation will help mitigate impacts on Kansas communities.&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-center image-full"&gt;
            &lt;button class="image-text__title"&gt;
  Provide Property Tax Relief for Seniors
&lt;/button&gt;
              &lt;div class="image-text__body "&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body--content"&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;Increasing the maximum appraised home valuation further, increasing the qualifying maximum household income, expanding the qualifying requirements to include renters and introducing an index to allow for equal benefit across the state for older adult property tax relief programs may double the number of eligible Johnson County qualifying residents.&lt;/p&gt;

          &lt;/div&gt;
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</description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:54:06 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7833 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
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<item>
  <title>2026 Artist Residency Program</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/department/mental-health/education-outreach/2026-artist-residency-program</link>
  <description>&lt;span property="schema:name"&gt;2026 Artist Residency Program&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span rel="schema:author"&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/402" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="nathan.carter@jocogov.org"&gt;nathan.carter@…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2026-01-16T19:29:50+00:00"&gt;&lt;time datetime="2026-01-16T13:29:50-06:00" title="Friday, January 16, 2026 - 13:29"&gt;Fri, 01/16/2026 - 13:29&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

  
  
  

&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-right image-medium"&gt;
    &lt;div class="image-text__body image-with-text"&gt;
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              &lt;div class="image-text__body--image"&gt;
          &lt;img src="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/images/2026-01/JCMHC%20Artist%20Residency%20Program%202026.jpg" alt="Graphic promoting Johnson County Mental Health Center's 2026 Artist Residency Program, showing a group of adults collaborating on a painting in an art studio"&gt;
                   &lt;/div&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;For 2026, Johnson County Mental Health Center, in collaboration with the &lt;a href="https://artsjoco.org/acjc/"&gt;Arts Council of Johnson County&lt;/a&gt;, is launching the Artist Residency Program grounded in the understanding that art and creativity support mental health and well-being. Research shows that engaging in and experiencing art can foster hope, support expression of emotions and help people share their lived experience with mental illness. This residency will explore the connection between art and mental health, while representing the community JCMHC serves, strengthening community partnerships and reducing stigma around mental health in the community.&lt;/p&gt;

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    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
              &lt;h2 class="title"&gt;
  Residency Overview
&lt;/h2&gt;
        &lt;div class="body"&gt;
      
  &lt;p&gt;The Artist Residency Program is designed to focus on connection, expression and visibility through the creation of art with, for and about Johnson County Mental Health Center’s clients and community members, as well as the artist’s own lived experience during the residency. Developed in collaboration with the Arts Council of Johnson County, the residency reflects JCMHC’s values and supports self-expression and narrative storytelling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;By the end of the residency, the artist will have created a collection of narrative-based artwork that can be shared through a traveling exhibition, long-term online gallery and installations within JCMHC’s offices. Another goal of the residency is to support the artist’s professional growth and help them expand their portfolio. The artist will retain the rights to all artwork created during the program.&lt;/p&gt;

    &lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;

    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
              &lt;h2 class="title"&gt;
  Residency Structure and Outcomes
&lt;/h2&gt;
        &lt;div class="body"&gt;
      
  &lt;p&gt;During the residency, the artist will participate in collaborative creative opportunities that could culminate in an exhibition, publication or performance open to the public. The artist will also facilitate open studio sessions where people co-create artwork, which may include painting, collage, ceramics, textiles or sound-based projects. The role is &lt;strong&gt;non-clinical&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;— the artist serves as a creative companion, not a therapist or instructor.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The artist may also facilitate community studio sessions with JCMHC’s services, programs and partners and participate in outreach with other county departments, including aging services, developmental supports, parks and recreation and libraries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The residency will emphasize narrative-based work, inviting people to share personal stories and lived experiences that are transformed into visual or performative art, such as murals, short films or collaborative poetry. The created art collection, intended for public display or performance, is intended to humanize mental health experiences and reduce stigma.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is a paid, part-time residency through the end of 2026. The artist will be employed by Johnson County Mental Health Center, working up to 20 hours per week at $23.18 per hour. The artist’s work schedule is flexible and may include evening and weekend hours, as needed. JCMHC will provide a budget for materials and a designated studio space, as well as mileage reimbursement for travel between county buildings and community events.&lt;/p&gt;

    &lt;/div&gt;
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    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
              &lt;h2 class="title"&gt;
  Artist Eligibility
&lt;/h2&gt;
        &lt;div class="body"&gt;
      
  &lt;p&gt;The residency is open to artists who are passionate about mental health and are interested in collaborating with Johnson County Mental Health Center to create art that reduces stigma and reflects the unique experiences of the Johnson County community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Eligibility requirements include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Being 18 years of age or older.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Living in the Kansas City metro area (&lt;em&gt;Johnson County residents preferred&lt;/em&gt;).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Having the ability or willingness to work with adults and children living with a mental illness.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Being able to pass a background and reference check in accordance with Johnson County Government policy.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;JCMHC will provide training on trauma-informed care and protection of private health information.&lt;/p&gt;

    &lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;

    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
              &lt;h2 class="title"&gt;
  Application Submission
&lt;/h2&gt;
        &lt;div class="body"&gt;
      
  &lt;p&gt;Artists interested in applying for the residency should send the materials below to &lt;a href="mailto:JCMHCInfo@jocogov.org"&gt;JCMHCInfo@jocogov.org&lt;/a&gt;. First review of applications will begin &lt;strong&gt;Feb. 20&lt;/strong&gt;. Applications will close on&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;March 3&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;One-page artist statement sharing why you are interested in the residency, your passion for exploring the connection between art and mental health and how the residency would inspire your work.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;CV or resume of no more than three pages with current contact information and related experience.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Contact information for three professional references.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Three images of previous artwork or projects with a corresponding image list that includes artwork title, medium, dimensions, description, location, date of work, commissioning entity and budget or price.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

    &lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;

    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
              &lt;h2 class="title"&gt;
  Selection Process
&lt;/h2&gt;
        &lt;div class="body"&gt;
      
  &lt;p&gt;Johnson County Mental Health Center and the Arts Council of Johnson County will review artists’ applications and qualifications and select an artist for the residency. Following the initial application review, finalists for the residency will be interviewed before a final selection is made.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Artists’ qualifications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Artistic Excellence: &lt;/strong&gt;The quality of the artist’s work and their compatibility with the project.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Goals: &lt;/strong&gt;The artist's&amp;nbsp;ability to create artwork that is made collaboratively and is representative of the community JCMHC serves.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Approach:&lt;/strong&gt; The artist’s willingness to work collaboratively with people experiencing a mental illness, understanding of the residency and ability to create trauma-informed art.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Capabilities:&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;The artist's demonstrated experience in designing, fabricating and installing artwork, participating in community engagement activities and completing projects on time and on budget.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

    &lt;/div&gt;
      &lt;/div&gt;

</description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:29:50 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>nathan.carter@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7809 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
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  <title>Johnson County Mental Health Center will continue Co-Responder Program in Lenexa to help de-escalate behavioral health crises during law enforcement calls </title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/newsroom/johnson-county-mental-health-center-will-continue-co-responder-program-lenexa-help-de-escalate-behavioral-health-crises-during-law-enforcement-calls</link>
  <description>&lt;span&gt;Johnson County Mental Health Center will continue Co-Responder Program in Lenexa to help de-escalate behavioral health crises during law enforcement calls &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/429" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org"&gt;Sophia.Misle@j…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;time datetime="2026-01-09T10:34:56-06:00" title="Friday, January 9, 2026 - 10:34"&gt;Fri, 01/09/2026 - 10:34&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

  &lt;time datetime="2026-01-09T12:00:00Z"&gt;January 9, 2026&lt;/time&gt;


  
  
  

&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-right image-medium"&gt;
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              &lt;div class="image-text__body--image"&gt;
          &lt;img src="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/images/2026-01/Mental%20Health%20Co-Responder%20%282%29.jpg" alt="Two police officers and a mental health co-responder standing in front of a police car"&gt;
                   &lt;/div&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;Calls to the Lenexa Police Department that involve behavioral health concerns will continue to receive support from licensed mental health professionals through&amp;nbsp;Johnson County Mental Health Center’s Co-Responder Program.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;On Thursday, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners&amp;nbsp;updated its agreement&amp;nbsp;with the City of Lenexa to continue embedding mental health professionals alongside Lenexa’s police officers.&amp;nbsp;This&amp;nbsp;program&amp;nbsp;allows co-responders&amp;nbsp;from Johnson County Mental Health Center&amp;nbsp;to&amp;nbsp;assist&amp;nbsp;officers&amp;nbsp;during calls involving behavioral health concerns.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In situations involving&amp;nbsp;mental illness, emotional distress and/or substance use, co-responders can de-escalate crises, connect individuals to&amp;nbsp;appropriate services&amp;nbsp;and provide follow-up support.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;JCMHC’s Co-Responder Program began in 2011 with the Olathe Police Department. The program has since expanded to serve most communities in Johnson County, with 21 co-responders currently embedded in local police departments and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. The program is funded by the participating cities, which cover the cost of co-responder services within their police departments.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In Lenexa, two co-responders are embedded with the Lenexa Police Department. The agreement approved Thursday continues the Co-Responder Program in the city with no changes to current service levels.&amp;nbsp;Co-responders joined law enforcement on 321 calls in Lenexa in 2025, while also providing over 1,400 follow-up calls and in-person visits.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“In Lenexa and throughout Johnson County, our&amp;nbsp;co-responders are helping us&amp;nbsp;achieve our goal of&amp;nbsp;providing&amp;nbsp;the right service at the right time&amp;nbsp;to people experiencing mental health crises in our community,” said Tim DeWeese,&amp;nbsp;Director of&amp;nbsp;Johnson County Mental Health Center.&amp;nbsp;“Having mental health professionals&amp;nbsp;working alongside law enforcement&amp;nbsp;ensures people are receiving&amp;nbsp;appropriate&amp;nbsp;care and support, while also avoiding unnecessary and costly stays in jails or emergency rooms.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Last year,&amp;nbsp;Johnson County Mental Health Center’s co-responders&amp;nbsp;assisted&amp;nbsp;law enforcement&amp;nbsp;on over 4,000 calls to 911&amp;nbsp;throughout Johnson County.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Our partnerships with Johnson County’s cities, including Lenexa,&amp;nbsp;reflect our shared commitment to providing&amp;nbsp;compassionate, effective responses to mental health crises. When we work together,&amp;nbsp;we help people&amp;nbsp;stabilize,&amp;nbsp;connect with&amp;nbsp;care&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;reduce unnecessary involvement&amp;nbsp;with&amp;nbsp;the criminal justice system,” said DeWeese.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information about Johnson County Mental Health Center and the Co-Responder Program, please visit&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="jocogov.org/mentalhealth"&gt;jocogov.org/mentalhealth&lt;/a&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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  Mental Health

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  News Releases

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</description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:34:56 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7785 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
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  <title>Johnson County Mental Health Center earns continued accreditation from international health and human services accreditor</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/newsroom/johnson-county-mental-health-center-earns-continued-accreditation-international-health-and-human-services-accreditor</link>
  <description>&lt;span&gt;Johnson County Mental Health Center earns continued accreditation from international health and human services accreditor&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/402" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="nathan.carter@jocogov.org"&gt;nathan.carter@…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;time datetime="2025-12-10T08:31:46-06:00" title="Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 08:31"&gt;Wed, 12/10/2025 - 08:31&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

  &lt;time datetime="2025-12-10T12:00:00Z"&gt;December 10, 2025&lt;/time&gt;


  
  
  

&lt;div class="paragraph text-image paragraph-margin paragraph--type--text-image paragraph--view-mode--default image-right image-small"&gt;
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              &lt;div class="image-text__body--image"&gt;
          &lt;img src="https://www.jocogov.org/sites/default/files/images/2025-12/CARF_GoldSeal.png" alt="The seal for CARF International's accreditation of health and human services program. The seal features blue text and symbols on a gold circle-shaped seal. The text around the top of the seal reads: &amp;quot;Aspire to Excellence.&amp;quot; The text in the center of the seal reads: &amp;quot;CARF Accredited.&amp;quot; There are seven blue stars around the bottom of the seal."&gt;
                   &lt;/div&gt;
                    
  &lt;p&gt;Johnson County Mental Health Center has been awarded three additional years of accreditation by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services organizations. CARF accreditation recognizes providers that meet rigorous standards for quality, safety and person-centered care.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;JCMHC has maintained CARF accreditation since 2019. The most recent review is the organization’s third accreditation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“CARF accreditation is a recognition of our commitment to the mission at the center of our work: providing comprehensive behavioral health services of the highest possible quality for Johnson County residents,” said Tim DeWeese, Johnson County Mental Health Center’s director.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The accreditation process included an on-site visit from CARF in September to review JCMHC’s services and programs and collect feedback from clients, community members, staff and other key stakeholders.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“The people we serve shared with the CARF surveyors they feel genuinely cared for at JCMHC. That’s one of the highest compliments we can receive,” said DeWeese. “Our staff work every day to ensure people feel safe, supported and empowered on their journey toward recovery.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The accreditation extends through 2028 and applies to several JCMHC services and programs:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Adolescent Center for Treatment&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Adult Crisis Stabilization Center&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;988 and JCMHC Crisis Line Call Center&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Prevention Services&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;JCMHC is also the first Community Mental Health Center in Kansas to earn CARF accreditation for its CCBHC programs&lt;/strong&gt;. The designation strengthens JCMHC’s ability to apply for grants, pursue deemed status for state licensure and secure funding through federal and state agencies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“We’re proud to be recognized as a provider that fully integrates mental, physical, social and cultural health into whole-person care, the foundation of the CCBHC model,” said DeWeese.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;CARF International was founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. More information about the organization and their accreditation process is available at &lt;a href="https://carf.org/"&gt;carf.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

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  Mental Health

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  News Releases

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</description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:31:46 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>nathan.carter@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7620 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
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  <title>Mental Health Center Advisory Board Meeting</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/meetings-events/mental-health-center-advisory-board-meeting-9</link>
  <description>&lt;span&gt;Mental Health Center Advisory Board Meeting&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/429" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org"&gt;Sophia.Misle@j…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;time datetime="2025-11-25T15:33:55-06:00" title="Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - 15:33"&gt;Tue, 11/25/2025 - 15:33&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
            &lt;div class="body"&gt;
      
  &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
The Johnson County Mental Health Center Advisory Board comprises 13 members dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Johnson County residents by expanding access to comprehensive mental health services.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Meeting Information&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
The public is invited to the bi-monthly meetings, held on the fourth Monday of each month.&amp;nbsp;Review additional information on meeting dates, activities and minutes on the&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.jocogov.org/department/mental-health/about-mental-health/staff-leadership/advisory-board"&gt;Advisory Board&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;page.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Board Information&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Find board roster, term dates, notes and contact information on the county&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://boards.jocogov.org/BoardInfo.aspx?BoardID=479"&gt;Boards and Commissions&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;page.&lt;/p&gt;


    &lt;/div&gt;
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  &lt;time datetime="2026-11-16T23:30:00Z"&gt;November 16, 2026 - 05:30pm&lt;/time&gt;
  &lt;time datetime="2026-11-17T01:00:00Z"&gt;November 16, 2026 - 07:00pm&lt;/time&gt;


&lt;div class="field-location"&gt;
  &lt;i class="far fa-map-marker-alt fa-fw icon"&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.jocogov.org/contact-us/all-locations/mission-mental-health-office" hreflang="en"&gt;Mission Mental Health Office&lt;/a&gt;
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  ABCD

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  Mental Health Center Advisory Board

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  Board of County Commissioners

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</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:33:55 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7563 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
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  <title>Mental Health Center Advisory Board Meeting</title>
  <link>https://www.jocogov.org/meetings-events/mental-health-center-advisory-board-meeting-8</link>
  <description>&lt;span&gt;Mental Health Center Advisory Board Meeting&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;span lang about="https://www.jocogov.org/user/429" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org"&gt;Sophia.Misle@j…&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;span&gt;&lt;time datetime="2025-11-25T15:31:11-06:00" title="Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - 15:31"&gt;Tue, 11/25/2025 - 15:31&lt;/time&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;

    &lt;div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph-margin"&gt;
            &lt;div class="body"&gt;
      
  &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
The Johnson County Mental Health Center Advisory Board comprises 13 members dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Johnson County residents by expanding access to comprehensive mental health services.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Meeting Information&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
The public is invited to the bi-monthly meetings, held on the fourth Monday of each month.&amp;nbsp;Review additional information on meeting dates, activities and minutes on the&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.jocogov.org/department/mental-health/about-mental-health/staff-leadership/advisory-board"&gt;Advisory Board&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;page.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Board Information&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Find board roster, term dates, notes and contact information on the county&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://boards.jocogov.org/BoardInfo.aspx?BoardID=479"&gt;Boards and Commissions&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;page.&lt;/p&gt;


    &lt;/div&gt;
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  &lt;time datetime="2026-09-28T22:30:00Z"&gt;September 28, 2026 - 05:30pm&lt;/time&gt;
  &lt;time datetime="2026-09-29T00:00:00Z"&gt;September 28, 2026 - 07:00pm&lt;/time&gt;


&lt;div class="field-location"&gt;
  &lt;i class="far fa-map-marker-alt fa-fw icon"&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.jocogov.org/contact-us/all-locations/mission-mental-health-office" hreflang="en"&gt;Mission Mental Health Office&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

  ABCD

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  Board of County Commissioners Meeting

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

  &lt;i class="far fa-users-class icon"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;  &lt;div class="taxonomy--category"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--category__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
  &lt;/span&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--category__name"&gt;
  
  Public Meetings

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

  &lt;i class="far fa-users-class icon"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;  &lt;div class="taxonomy--category"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--category__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
  &lt;/span&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--category__name"&gt;
  
  Mental Health Center Advisory Board

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div class="field-department"&gt;
        &lt;div class="taxonomy--department"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class="far fa-building"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
  &lt;/span&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__name"&gt;
  
  Board of County Commissioners

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

      &lt;div class="taxonomy--department"&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__icon"&gt;
    &lt;i class="far fa-building"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;
  &lt;/span&gt;
  &lt;span class="taxonomy--department__name"&gt;
  
  Mental Health

  &lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

  &lt;/div&gt;
</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:31:11 +0000</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>Sophia.Misle@jocogov.org</dc:creator>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">7562 at https://www.jocogov.org</guid>
    </item>

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