Aging Services

David Anderson, Commissioner

Aging Services administers a variety of community-based programs for the aging population through contracts and grants of state and federal funds. The programs administered include Older Americans Act, congregate and home-delivered meals, caregiver programs, in-home services, Senior Care Act services, and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

Aging Services oversees and implements grants that assist individuals who are aging or have a disability under Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK), Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). The SHICK program assists individuals with questions related to Medicare. The SMP program educates the community about reporting Medicare/Medicaid and health-care fraud and abuse, and how to identify and report scams. The MIPPA program allocates funding for increased outreach to Medicare beneficiaries, the bulk of which is targeted at coordinating, educating and enrolling low-income Medicare beneficiaries and the free Medicare Preventive services.

Behavioral Health Services

Drew Adkins, Commissioner

The Behavioral Health Services Commission manages mental health services in Kansas, working with 26 community mental health centers across the state. In addition, it oversees addiction and prevention service programs for the State of Kansas, including targeted workforce development initiatives.

The commission works in close collaboration with the Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council. The commission is also charged with overseeing the state’s two psychiatric hospitals, Larned State Hospital and Osawatomie State Hospital.

Our work is supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and KDADS. KDADS is responsible by statute and holds the authority and responsibility to coordinate and provide substance abuse and mental health services in Kansas. We promote effective public policy and develop and evaluate programs and resources for behavioral health prevention, treatment and recovery services.

Financial and Information Services Commission

Brad Ridley, Commissioner

The Financial Information Services Commission is responsible for various administrative functions that support other KDADS Commissions.

The Accounting Division is responsible for processing agency payments and monitoring expenditures as well as KDADS’ grants to other organizations. The Fiscal and Program Evaluation Division is KDADS' auditing, reporting and data analysis group responsible for managing nursing facility reimbursement programs.

The Budget Division prepares the budget, monitors legislative activity related to the budget and handles requests for budget information.

The Information Services Division maintains KDADS' computer network and various web application systems in addition to providing technical support to agency staff and business partners.

Long Term Services & Supports

Michele Heydon, Commissioner

The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Commission manages a system of community-based supports and services for persons with disabilities, which are delivered through the KanCare system in partnership with organized networks. These services include programs for those with physical disabilities, intellectual/developmental disabilities, frail elderly, the Severe Emotional Disturbance waiver for children and children with autism. It is responsible for coordinating intra-agency activity around KanCare. The commission works with each KDADS Commission to ensure that client services are monitored appropriately. The Commission coordinates with all three KanCare Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) regarding KDADS-specific program areas (home and community-based service waivers and behavioral health).

The LTSS commission also administers a variety of community-based programs for the aging population through contracts and grants of state and federal funds. The programs administered include Older Americans Act, congregate and home-delivered meals, caregiver programs, in-home services, Senior Care Act services, as well as quality assurance programs for the Older Americans Act and Senior Care Act. In addition, it is responsible for the Aging and Disability Resource Center, or ADRC, the entry point for older adults and persons with disabilities to connect with local experts who can help them choose a long-term care option. The Commission oversees and implements grants that assist individuals who are aging or have a disability under Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK), Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). The SHICK program assists individuals with questions related to Medicare. The SMP program educates the community about reporting Medicare/Medicaid and health-care fraud and abuse and how to identify and report scams.

State Hospitals

Dr. Mike Dixon, Commissioner

The State Hospitals Commission was created on June 2, 2019, by the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. The State Hospital Commission is responsible for providing leadership, guidance, direction, oversight, training and support to the five state hospitals:

• Kansas Neurological Institute.
• Parsons State Hospital and Training Center.
• Larned State Hospital.
• Osawatomie State Hospital.
• Adair Acute Care on Osawatomie State Hospital’s campus.

The Commission provides day to day management and collaboration with Superintendents and executive staff at the State Hospitals, ensuring compliance with conditions of participation for certification with Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) and accreditation with the Joint Commission. The Commission is vital in strengthening stakeholder relations to increase the services provided in the community for individuals with intellectual disabilities and or behavioral health needs.

Survey, Certification and Credentialing Commission

Lacey Hunter, Commissioner

The primary function of the Survey, Certification and Credentialing Commission is to protect public health through the licensure and inspections of adult care homes as defined by K.S.A. 39-923. The commission develops and enforces state regulations related to adult care homes, as well as implements federal certification activities for Medicaid- or Medicare-certified nursing homes. Field staff working out of regional offices across the state conduct annual, unscheduled inspections of adult care homes on a rotation basis as well as unannounced inspections in response to consumer or provider-reported complaints received by the commission’s Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation hotline. In addition, the Commission is responsible for the ongoing credentialing of various licensed, certified and other health careers such as adult care home administrators, certified nurse aides, dieticians and other professions.