Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

04/22/2026

Today we’re celebrating Administrative Professionals Day and the incredible people who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes ✨

Our Executive Assistants and Office Support Specialists keep calendars in check, meetings moving, and projects crossing the finish line.

Our Client Care and Unit Coordinators are often the first friendly face our clients encounter. They balance complex schedules while leading with compassion every step of the way.

To all of you who make the details look effortless and the days run seamlessly: we see you, and we’re so grateful for the dedication and energy you bring every single day 💙

04/21/2026

Our WRAP therapist, Kalli, recently shared the perspective she brings to all her young clients as they navigate the stressors of growing up and the supports every child needs and deserves.

"Telling people I split my time supporting young people detained at the Douglas County, Kansas Government Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) and those enrolled at college preparatory school Bishop Seabury Academy almost always elicits the same reaction. My response to their astoundment is also always the same- normalizing that most teenagers are managing a lot and they all need trusted adults to help them sort through it.

Many of my clients at JDC are trying to navigate the legal system while being away from their families, processing trauma and feelings of guilt and shame. I worry more about the ones that aren’t bothered by being detained because this means they are housed, fed and safe. I try to normalize that they are allowed to make mistakes and still be deserving of love. They are allowed to have good days.

Students at Seabury are navigating the pressure of heavy course loads and multiple extracurriculars on top of all the unfortunate stressors of adolescence. I try to normalize that they aren’t supposed to have it all figured out yet. They are allowed to have bad days.

Every day I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I get to support the families and staffs of two wonderful parts of our community- on both the good days and the bad days."

04/21/2026

This week, we’re celebrating Health Information Professionals Week and shining a light on the incredible work happening behind the scenes to keep care safe, accurate, and connected. 💙

Join us in recognizing Alex, Crystal, Frances, Alexsia, and our amazing intern Leigh Ann whose dedication and expertise make a lasting impact every single day.

Health Information professionals are the backbone of quality care, ensuring the right information is available at the right time while safeguarding client privacy. Our Medical Records team leads this effort, working closely with teams across the organization and beyond to support client needs with precision, care, and confidentiality.

From managing the full lifecycle of medical records to supporting continuity of care, responding to urgent requests, and guiding staff through complex documentation needs, they do it all. They are problem solvers, collaborators, and trusted stewards of sensitive information.

Their work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is felt everywhere, across every department, every client, and every level of care.

👏 Thank you for all that you do!

04/20/2026

We're less than 2 weeks away from our 40th annual Pioneer Celebration and we hope you can join us!

🔹 Thursday, April 30
🔹 5:30 - 7:30 pm
🔹 Theatre Lawrence

This year, we're honoring Don Grosdidier, former chair of our governing board and retired superintendent of Eudora Schools. He was instrumental in expanding access, breaking stigma, and shaping brighter futures for countless students.

You can read more about our award recipients and RSVP to our Pioneer Celebration at the links in the comments.

04/20/2026

We're thrilled to welcome our new team members who will be providing critical care and support across the organization!🎉

04/20/2026

We hope you'll join us and the other great agencies sharing information about all the services available in Douglas County💛

Join us for Discovery Day! It’s this Tuesday, April 21, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., in the Open Pavilion at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. 🎉

There will be lots of touch-a-truck activities, interactive games with prizes and information about our services and community resources. Games will include Administration’s cake walk, Youth Service’s Plinko board, Emergency Management's Wheel of Misfortune, and District Court’s selfie station.

Local food trucks – Barbwire Barbecue, JB’s Tacos and The Pretzelly Truck – will be on-site offering food for purchase.

Please share with your friends, neighbors and colleagues, and we hope to see you there!

04/18/2026

A big thank you to Truity Credit Union for treating us to breakfast at our Town Hall meeting yesterday! Your continued support means so much to us, and we truly appreciate your generosity🧡

04/17/2026

💙 Celebrating the Spirit of Bert Nash 💙

We are proud to recognize two incredible team members whose dedication and heart embody our mission every day.

✨ Leah Hansen, Payroll Administrator, is this year’s Virginia Vickers Spirit Award recipient. Leah’s work behind the scenes keeps our organization running—bringing accuracy, compassion, and a steady, can-do attitude to everything she does. She meets people where they are and leads by example in ways that truly make a difference.

✨ Grace MacMillan, WRAP Program Manager, is this year’s Sandra Shaw Spirit Award winner. Grace is a compassionate leader, mentor, and advocate—known for creating connection, inspiring growth, and showing up for others not just as colleagues, but as people. Her impact is felt across our entire organization and the four Douglas County school districts.

Please join us in celebrating Leah and Grace for the incredible spirit they bring to Bert Nash every day. We will continue to celebrate Leah & Grace, and other award recipients at the upcoming 40th Pioneer Celebration on April 30. You can join us, by RSVPing in the link below.

04/17/2026

It's okay to not be okay.

You can always call, text, or chat 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline and talk to trained crisis counselors for support.

HeadQuarters Kansas

04/16/2026

Bert Nash Center’s 40th Pioneer Celebration honors leaders shaping mental health in Douglas County. We hope you'll join us!

🔹 Thursday, April 30
🔹 5:30 - 7:30 pm
🔹 Theatre Lawrence

This year, former Bert Nash Center CEO David Johnson receives the Pioneer Award for 17 years of visionary leadership expanding crisis care, access, and community impact—putting people first every step of the way.

You can read more about our award recipients and RSVP to our Pioneer Celebration at the links in the comments.

04/16/2026

Thank you to our partners at Truity Credit Union for joining our Parent/Guardian Self-Care Group to share insights on financial literacy and its connection to mental health. 💙

This group, led by Kim, our case manager and hospital liaison for our Children and Family Services, supports families accessing the SED waiver and focuses on helping caregivers strengthen and prioritize their own well-being. A core part of that work is modeling self-care, because when young people see adults taking care of themselves, they begin to learn how to do the same.

Conversations around finances can often carry stress and uncertainty, so having the tools and support to navigate them is an important part of overall wellness. Thank you to the Truity team for creating a welcoming space, sharing practical guidance, and supporting caregivers in caring for both their financial and mental health.

Partnerships like this make a meaningful difference for families in our community.

If you’re interested in learning more about this group or other BNC services, check out the link in the comments. Curious about the SED waiver? You can find more information in the comments as well.

04/15/2026

Congrats to Sophia, DBT Therapist, for recently passing her clinical license🎉

“Passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and getting my clinical license has been such a rewarding journey. It’s going to open so many doors for me. I will be able to see a wider range of people which will help me further my clinical skills and grow as a provider. My goal is also to be able to provide clinical supervision to other aspiring Licensed Clinical Psychologists’. I am very much looking forward to what having a higher level of licensure will bring for me.”

We are so grateful for all of her hard work and dedication in reaching this milestone!