Staff warn cuts to EMHIT could reduce school-based clinicians and prompt layoffs
April 21, 2026 | Sedgwick County, Kansas
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Sedgwick County staff updated commissioners on April 21 about changes to the state EMHIT school-based mental-health program and the potential local impacts. Staff said the state scaled the program's budget from $15 million to $10 million and modified the allocation formula, a change that could significantly reduce the number of liaison positions and clinician availability in local schools.
Anna, speaking for county behavioral-health programs, said EMHIT previously funded a large share of liaison salaries that support referrals and connections to county providers (MHA and Comcare) who deliver on-site clinical services. The allocation change reduces schools' ability to apply for liaisons based on referral counts: staff noted that Wichita USD 259 recorded about 840 referrals last year but, under the new formula, that volume would only qualify the district to apply for roughly 18–19 liaison positions while it currently has about 27 liaisons active in 26 schools.
Anna described the change as a material cut to local capacity and said the practical result could be fewer clinicians working on-site in schools and, in some districts, potential layoffs. “This is rather significant,” Anna said, adding that schools were told to apply for all positions they can and the state (KDADS) will reconcile allocations after applications are submitted.
Staff emphasized uncertainty about final allocations. KDADS met recently with school districts about the new approach and flagged possible discrepancies in the formula. Applications are not due until the end of the month, and staff said they will not know the ultimate cuts or distribution until the state completes its application and allocation process.
Commissioners asked staff to stay in close contact with district partners; staff said they are actively coordinating with USD 259 and other affected districts and are seeking to preserve on-site clinicians where possible. No formal action was taken during the meeting.
Anna, speaking for county behavioral-health programs, said EMHIT previously funded a large share of liaison salaries that support referrals and connections to county providers (MHA and Comcare) who deliver on-site clinical services. The allocation change reduces schools' ability to apply for liaisons based on referral counts: staff noted that Wichita USD 259 recorded about 840 referrals last year but, under the new formula, that volume would only qualify the district to apply for roughly 18–19 liaison positions while it currently has about 27 liaisons active in 26 schools.
Anna described the change as a material cut to local capacity and said the practical result could be fewer clinicians working on-site in schools and, in some districts, potential layoffs. “This is rather significant,” Anna said, adding that schools were told to apply for all positions they can and the state (KDADS) will reconcile allocations after applications are submitted.
Staff emphasized uncertainty about final allocations. KDADS met recently with school districts about the new approach and flagged possible discrepancies in the formula. Applications are not due until the end of the month, and staff said they will not know the ultimate cuts or distribution until the state completes its application and allocation process.
Commissioners asked staff to stay in close contact with district partners; staff said they are actively coordinating with USD 259 and other affected districts and are seeking to preserve on-site clinicians where possible. No formal action was taken during the meeting.
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