SEK receives a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist with youth behavioral issues. Administered through the Department of Pediatrics At KU’s School of Medicine, the five-year grant is through the Center for Mental Health Services in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

KanAWARE will be a multi-agency project formed to address increasing student behavioral health needs in the 11 counties in SEK that are at the highest risk for poverty, violence, trauma, substance use, and mental health concerns among K-12 students.

The project includes collaboration with KU Medical Center and the Coffeyville, Pittsburg, and Fort Scott School districts, and the Four County Mental Health Center of SE Kansas locally.

The project will also help to combine efforts of other government programs, schools, health care providers, social services, and advocacy organizations to improve K-12 students’ behavioral health.