Local
Written by: Press Release Posted by David Elliott Date Posted: 2023-25-01
Governor Laura Kelly announced that Camber Children’s Mental Health (formerly KVC Hospitals) should begin accepting patients and providing care by early February at its new youth mental health hospital in Hays.
Governor Kelly first announced the partnership between Camber and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) to open a modern acute care facility to meet the needs of youth in western Kansans in December 2021.
“Like much of the nation, we are at a crisis point here in Kansas when it comes to mental health,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “This hospital will provide the resources and care needed by Kansas youth facing mental health crises. I am impressed by the commitment shown by KDADS and Camber leaders not only to the youth of western Kansas, but also to the communities this center it will have an impact”.
The contractual agreement between KDADS and Camber, effective through June 30, 2027, specifies admissions to a 14-bed licensed hospital for youth 18 and under to include up to 10 State Institutional Alternative (SIA) beds without deportation and without rejection focused on patients from the Larned State Hospital (LSH) catchment area. This newly refurbished center will also continue to provide the Residential Psychiatric Treatment Facility (PRTF) services currently provided by Camber in Hays.
“The opening of this center in Hays offers a unique opportunity to expand capacity and address mental health disorder needs for children and young people and, as I said earlier, comes at a time of critical psychiatric services for children,” said KDADS secretary Laura Howard.
At this state-of-the-art facility, Camber medical and mental health professionals will provide both inpatient and residential care for young people in need of intensive services to help them stabilize, build resilience and develop coping skills so they can go home as soon as possible to safely continue outpatient treatment in their community.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our services in Hays and surrounding communities so we can further enhance the positive impact these services are having on children’s lives when they need it most,” said Bobby Eklofe, president of Camber Children’s Mental Health. “This new treatment facility features the latest technology and safety monitoring in a welcoming, child-centered space, enabling children to receive critical therapeutic care as soon as they need it in an atmosphere that promotes healing and well-being “.
In addition to state funding, the opening of Camber Hays is due in part to the generosity of several private organizations. The Patterson Family Foundation, the Robert and Patricia Schmidt Foundation, and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation have made significant financial contributions to support children’s mental health through Camber’s expanded services. Camber Hays will be able to serve an additional 600 young people each year who are struggling with suicide, depression, anxiety, the impact of trauma, self-harm and other mental disorders closer to home.
Inpatient acute treatment Includes comprehensive medical, clinical, and nursing evaluation within first 24 hours of admission, critical psychiatric care and medication management, individual, family, and group therapy sessions, case coordination, 24/7 support and supervision 7 days a week by Camber’s trained nursing staff and innovative treatment and education to teach young people about their brains and how to regulate their emotions.
Families, community mental health centres, health professionals, schools and agencies seeking mental health care for young people can contact the Camber Admissions team 24/7 on 913 -890-7468.
(Information courtesy of the Office of the Governor.)
