Children’s mental health services in South Central Kansas.
MHASCK provides children’s mental health services across South Central Kansas, supporting kids, teens, and the families who love them through hard moments. You do not need a diagnosis or the perfect words to reach out. If your child seems anxious, angry, withdrawn, or is struggling at school or home, we can help you understand what is happening and find the right support. Medicaid is accepted and no referral is required to start.
In crisis right now? Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time.
When the adults around a child feel steadier, the child does too.
Care is built around your family, not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
Children’s mental health services help young people build skills, strengthen relationships, and find stability during challenging times. We support children and teens facing anxiety, depression, big emotions, behavior changes, trauma, grief, and family transitions. We also support parents and caregivers, because when the adults around a child feel steadier, the child does too.
Your child seems different lately
More anxious, sad, angry, or withdrawn than usual, and you are not sure why.
School or home has changed
Behavior has shifted or grades are slipping, at home or in the classroom.
A hard change or loss
Your family is navigating trauma, grief, divorce, or another big change.
A foster or kinship family
You are caring for a child with extra needs and want the right support.
A school or professional
You want to connect a young person you work with to the right help.
Programs & supports available
Support that works together, in one place.
Our children, youth, and family services work together so your family can find everything in one place.
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Children & Teen Behavioral Support
Behavioral intervention, play therapy, and youth counseling for kids and teens.
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Family Support & Skill Building
Parenting support, family skill building, and care coordination for the whole household.
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Foster Care & Community-Based Supports
Partnered pathways and community-based help for foster, kinship, and transitioning youth.
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Prevention & Early Intervention
School and community programs that help kids build coping skills early.
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Programs by name
Children’s Services and Youth & Family Services.
Children’s Community-Based Services provide intervention, casework and mentoring for children and youth with a serious emotional disturbance, along with support for their families. Some programs, such as Youth & Family Services, may serve young people through age 24.
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Case Management
A case manager works with your family to set goals, look at your child's strengths and needs, and teach coping skills that help at home, at school and in the community.
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Psychosocial Rehabilitation
One-on-one coaching that helps young people build and practice coping skills in everyday settings. Skills can also be practiced in a group with other youth.
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Attendant Care
One-on-one support and supervision so young people can succeed at home, at school and in the community.
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Children's Behavior Interventionists
Intensive in-home support for the young person and their family, using the Strengthening Families curriculum, neurostimulation activities and other coping and communication strategies.
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Parent Peer Support
Certified parent peer specialists support, guide and advocate for parents and guardians, drawing on their own experience raising a child with mental health or substance use challenges.
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Compeer
A youth mentoring program that matches young people in grades K–12 who face social and emotional barriers with caring, trained adult mentors.
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Youth & Family Services
A no-cost program with hands-on training in relationship skills, workforce readiness and life skills, plus casework for needs like education and homelessness prevention. It serves families with children and young people ages 5 to 24. Referrals come from the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), community agencies or families themselves.
Not sure where to start? That is normal.
Most people who reach out are not certain what kind of help they need, and that is okay. You do not need a diagnosis, a referral, or the right words. Tell us a little about what is going on, and we will help you find the right place to begin.
Care that grows with you, not a program you outgrow.
Life changes, and support should change with it. Because all of our services sit under one roof, you can move between them without starting over. A teen who first meets us through a school program can find counseling as an adult. A family navigating a loved one’s illness can find housing and case management in the same place they found their first appointment.
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Reach out
Call, message, or stop by. We listen first and help you name what you need.
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Get matched
We connect you with the service and team that fit your situation and your budget.
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Start care
You meet your team, share your goals, and begin at a pace that feels safe.
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Keep growing
As your needs change, your support moves with you across our services.
Questions, answered simply.
The questions parents ask most, answered simply. Still unsure? We are glad to talk it through.
What ages do you serve?
We serve children, teens, and their families, along with the adults who care for them. Programs are tailored to each child’s age and stage. Some programs, such as Youth & Family Services, may also serve young people through age 24. When you reach out, tell us your child’s age and we will point you to the right service and team.
Do you accept Medicaid or offer a sliding scale?
Yes. MHASCK accepts Medicaid and offers sliding scale fees based on income, so cost does not have to keep your child from care. Our team will help you understand what to expect for your family before the first appointment, with no surprises.
Can the school be involved?
Yes, with your permission. We often coordinate with teachers, counselors, and school staff so support carries over between home and classroom. You decide how involved the school is, and we will only share what you approve, following privacy laws that protect your child.
My teen does not want to go: what can I do?
That is very common, and it does not mean therapy will not help. Start by reaching out yourself; we can coach you on how to talk with your teen and how to make a first visit feel low pressure. Many reluctant teens warm up once they feel heard.
Is this confidential from me as the parent?
For younger children, parents are closely involved. For teens, some conversations are kept private to build trust, within the limits of the law and safety. We will explain clearly what is shared and what stays confidential so you always know what to expect.
What if my child is in crisis right now?
If your child is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. Our Need Help Right Now page lists local options. Once things are stable, we can help with ongoing support.
What happens at the first appointment?
The first visit is mostly listening. We ask about what you are seeing, your child’s history, and your goals, and we answer your questions. There is no pressure and no judgment. Together we build a starting plan that feels right for your child and family.
What if my family cannot afford this right now?
Please still reach out. We accept Medicaid, offer sliding scale fees, and will talk through options so cost is not the reason your child goes without help. Our team’s job is to help you find a path forward, whatever your situation looks like.
Get support for your child or teen.
The bravest first step is often the smallest one. Reach out and we will help your family find the right care. If your child needs help right now, we can point you to immediate support.
