Commissioner of Behavioral Health Services at Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
Joined September 2011
- Tweets 2,268
- Following 374
- Followers 350
- Likes 1,129
126 Photos and videos
Andy Brown retweeted
20 Aug 2025
“Once veterans get into housing and can lock a door and be safe, they flip a switch.”
Proud to share how HUD-VASH and Housing First change lives in Manhattan, KS — featured in @nytimes.
🔗 nytimes.com/2025/08/19/healt… @EllenBarryNYT
#HousingFirst #Veterans #HUDVASH #EndHomelessness
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5 Aug 2025
In the time of chimpanzees...I was a preventionist.
5 Aug 2025
The teen suicide death rate in the US rose consistently from 2007 to 2017, but seems to have peaked in 2017 and has slowly declined since then. The 2024 data is still provisional, but it appears to be the lowest rate in a decade, and is also lower than 1985-1996
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Andy Brown retweeted
24 May 2025
🪷 This May, we are reflecting on and celebrating the contributions of older adults while imagining together what an Age-Friendly Kansas would mean for us all.
This year’s theme, “Flip the Script on Aging,” encourages us to challenge outdated stereotypes and recognize the opportunities that come with growing older.
📘Learn more: khi.org/topics/age-friendly-…
#KsHealth #OlderAmericansMonth #FlipTheScriptOnAging #AgeFriendlyKansas
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Andy Brown retweeted
24 Mar 2025
In this story—the first in a series of two—we’ll talk about the first two strategies we’re taking throughout the next year and beyond to meet Veterans where they are and with the resources they need.
news.va.gov/138866/how-va-is…
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Andy Brown retweeted
29 Jul 2024
Want to learn more about the new Community Support Waiver in the works to support Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
Register to attend the Zoom town hall on July 31, hosted by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services: bit.ly/3Y7T5tj. (Accommodation requests welcome.)
ALT The text on a graphic reads, “Kansas Community Support Waiver: Increasing access, supporting independence. Attend the Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, July 31 from 1–2 pm CT: Discuss the goals of the CSW, review the timeline and approval process, explore stakeholder engagement, and learn how PCG will support KDADS. Register: bit.ly/3Y7T5tj.”
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4 Jul 2024
A little national attention from our peers for some of the good work our staff is doing day in and day out.
3 Jul 2024
In July’s @taccommunicate Learning Network Bulletin, KDADS AOT Program Coordinator Jessica Mays was in the 'spotlight' for her dedication and commitment to re-introducing House Bill 2353 after it faced opposition in 2023. Mays worked to educate, compromise, and rework the bill to see it successfully passed as a bipartisan effort in 2024. The bill serves to amend Kansas's existing AOT legislation by adding measures that allow people to "receive the help they need in the least restrictive and most productive way possible." treatmentadvocacycenter.org/…
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Andy Brown retweeted
1 Jul 2024
The Kansas 'Community Summit' is a significant event that brings together youth and adult leaders from across the state to foster collaboration and drive positive social change. This initiative, led by KDADS in partnership with @wsuEngagement, @WichitaState, and @CADCA, highlights the power of community coalitions and the impact they can have when working together. CADCA's extensive experience representing more than 5,000 community coalition across the country ensures meaningful and lasting change in Kansas and beyond.
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Andy Brown retweeted
5 Jun 2024
Today, @GovLauraKelly announced that Kansas has been added to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program. CCBHCs provide greater access to crisis and behavioral health care services in communities.
“The CCBHC model is essential to the resources Kansans need to overcome substance use disorders and improve mental health,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This announcement strengthens the work my administration is doing to provide these critical services.”
Full release: governor.kansas.gov/governor…
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Andy Brown retweeted
23 Apr 2024
Just released: The 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention from @HHSgov. It is a bold new 10-year whole-of-society approach that provides concrete recommendations for addressing gaps in the suicide prevention field. hhs.gov/nssp
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17 Apr 2024
Real proud of the work Kansas is doing on homelessness. Hope we can continue to do more!
17 Apr 2024
KDADS staff joined representatives from the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition, United Community Services of Johnson County, and Dr. Sam Tsemberis of Pathways Housing First Institute at the 3-day @hfpartnersconf last week in Atlanta to share best practices, highlight success stories, and chart the way forward in the fight against homelessness. #HousingFirst
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Andy Brown retweeted
12 Apr 2024
Secretary Laura Howard today announced a partnership with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to assist in the state’s plan to modernize the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver by addressing waitlist and workforce challenges, and supporting the state in the development of a new Community Support Waiver (CSW).
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Andy Brown retweeted
14 Feb 2024
Happy Valentine's Day, Kansas!
We Love You.
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Andy Brown retweeted
22 Jan 2024
Got em with the ole fan trick! @ClayWendler
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Andy Brown retweeted
30 Nov 2023
As a father with a daughter in the IDD community, I'm thankful for the new partnership in Kansas, announced by State Treasurer Steven Johnson, KCDD Ex Dir Sara Hart Weir and Secretary Laura Howard, raising awareness for the ABLE Savings Program.
kansascash.ks.gov/able_savin…
#ksleg
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Andy Brown retweeted
26 Oct 2023
Today, I traveled to the @SedgwickCounty Jail to hear from law enforcement & mental health experts about how expanding Medicaid would make Kansas safer. It turns out that getting people access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment leads to fewer arrests.
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Andy Brown retweeted
15 Oct 2023
The NFL's in their Swiftie era
#SNLPremiere
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10 Oct 2023
RT @KDADSOfficial: Sixth Annual Kansas Prevention Conference October 12-13
KDADS’ Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Commission and @KsPreve…
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Andy Brown retweeted
20 Sep 2023
But we’ll only get this done if legislators act. Call your legislator now at 800-432-3924 and tell them to expand Medicaid in 2024. #ksleg
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Andy Brown retweeted
30 Aug 2023
Thank you Crawford County for joining the initiative to achieve a measurable reduction in the number of people in jail who have mental illnesses.
Stepping Up Initiative” passed by Crawford County Commissioners fourstateshomepage.com/local…
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Andy Brown retweeted
29 Aug 2023
Last week @GovLauraKelly proclaimed September Suicide Prevention Month in Kansas to raise awareness about suicide as a serious public health concern and highlight the role everyone plays in prevention. Thank you to @KDHE, @ksphq and other mental health advocates for joining us!
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