Kansas Department of Health and Environment

During Tracking Awareness Week, our Kansas Tracking Program is putting the "t" in teamwork. They exhibit teamwork on the daily, but for World Rabies Day last fall, Kansas Tracking collaborated with partner agencies to host a statewide poster competition for grades k-12 and presented prizes to the winning students and their schools. See the winning posters and learn more about how to keep you and your family safe from rabies: https://lnkd.in/g-5Nr5FS.

Do you know a business or organization that has made a significant improvement in protecting our environment by preventing pollution? Our non-competitive Environmental Stewardship Awards recognize projects that eliminate or reduce the generation of pollutants or wastes at the source or projects that conserve natural resources. Recycling projects are not eligible. Learn more and apply by July 15: https://lnkd.in/gB-_chXm.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment -- which includes the Office of Vital Statistics -- is closed July 4. From our family to yours, have a safe, healthy holiday!

Celebrate safely this holiday weekend! Last year in Kansas, there were at least 257 firework-related Emergency Department visits, a 54% increase from the previous year. Learn tips and tricks to stay safe: https://lnkd.in/g_h_jatD.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is proud to announce that the state Medicaid program, known as KanCare, has secured a $2.5 million grant awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the implementation of School-Based Services (SBS). This grant underscores KDHE's dedication to enhancing the health care services available in Kansas schools, including those related to mental health. The grant will facilitate several key initiatives: 🔸 Enrollment assistance to help eligible students and their families access Medicaid coverage. 🔸 Provision of a broad array of Medicaid-covered health services directly within schools. 🔸 Enhanced outreach and educational efforts to promote the health and wellness of students, reducing the need for emergency care and boosting educational outcomes. The funding will also facilitate the integration of comprehensive health services within schools, ensuring students have better access to necessary care.

We are pleased to inform you that effective July 1, 2024, Kansas Medicaid, also known as KanCare, will extend its coverage to include comprehensive doula services. This policy aligns with KDHE's commitment to enhance maternal and infant health across the state. Recognizing doulas as non-physician providers marks a significant policy shift aimed at improving health outcomes by offering continuous and personalized care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. We invite healthcare professionals and interested parties to review the press release https://lnkd.in/gdiyseEa for more detailed information and to explore how this change might impact the communities you serve.

Looking to join #TeamKDHE? We're currently hiring! Take a moment to review open opportunities: kdhe.ks.gov/jobs.

Congratulations to our very own, Danielle Sass for receiving the Rising Leader Award! 🎉

Today we recognize Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. It is the oldest known celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States, and the newest federally recognized holiday. Our offices will be closed in observation and will reopen tomorrow, June 20. This includes the Office of Vital Statistics.

Child Care Licensing is hosting events to discuss the Review of 2024 Regulation Updates. The events will take place virtually using Zoom. Three sessions are available to attend and registration is not required: 🔹 June 29 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon: Home Providers (first 90 minutes) + Child Care Centers & Preschools (last 90 minutes) (https://lnkd.in/gCfDH_9a) 🔹 July 1 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.: Home Providers (https://lnkd.in/g9yFMiN8) 🔹 July 2 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.: Child Care Centers & Preschools (https://lnkd.in/gGQ4CMtJ)