Governor Laura Kelly announces new grant funding for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

 Kelly says KDADS is receiving more than $3.6 million as part of a five-year federal grant to implement youth suicide prevention and early intervention strategies for children and young adults ages 10-24.

 The award will focus on strategies and initiatives for youth and young adults residing in the 12-county southeast region, including Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, and Neosho.

 KDADS aims to strengthen communication efforts about the factors of suicide, evaluating, developing, and implementing evidence-based suicide screenings at behavioral health care and educational sites, and implementing and enhancing safety net support, including the creation of safety plans and referrals for treatment.

 If you or someone you know are having thoughts of self harm, please call or text 988, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.