KDADS Requests Applications for Statewide Behavioral Health Crisis Transportation System

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) today issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to establish a coordinated statewide behavioral health crisis transportation system. The initiative is part of the larger Behavioral Health Services Program within the Kansas Rural Health Transportation Program (RHTP), administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and aims to provide coordinated, safe, timely transportation for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises while reducing unnecessary reliance on law enforcement and emergency departments.

Currently, Kansans in crisis often face delays in accessing appropriate care, unnecessary law enforcement involvement, or transport in vehicles and settings not designed for behavioral health needs. These challenges are especially acute in rural and frontier communities, where limited local resources and long travel distances create additional barriers to timely, appropriate support. This RFP seeks to close those gaps by establishing a dedicated transportation model that prioritizes safety, coordination across the crisis continuum, and equitable access for all Kansans.

"Establishing a dedicated crisis transportation system is a critical step in strengthening Kansas' behavioral health infrastructure," KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. "By ensuring that people in crisis can access care without defaulting to law enforcement or emergency departments when it is not clinically necessary, we improve outcomes for individuals, support first responders, and advance the broader objectives of the Rural Health Transportation Program in rural and underserved communities."

Through the RFP, KDADS aims to select a contractor to provide services across all 105 Kansas counties, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, via a centralized dispatch system. The selected contractor will use appropriately equipped vehicles and personnel trained in behavioral health crisis response, including de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care. The contractor will accept referrals from multiple sources, including 988 crisis lines, community mental health centers, hospitals, law enforcement, courts, and other authorized partners. The goal is to provide a more responsive system that quickly and safely connects individuals in crisis with the appropriate level of care.

This Bid Event was recently posted to the Kansas Department of Administration Office of Procurement and Contracts website at https://admin.ks.gov/offices/procurement-contracts. Year 1 budget documents for the Kansas RHTP list about $2.46 million specifically for behavioral health crisis transport.

"Expanding access to quality health care for rural communities in Kansas is the primary goal of RHTP," KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said. "This partnership with KDADS and RHTP to fund a coordinated statewide behavioral health crisis transportation system is such an important component to achieving those goals and ensuring more rural Kansans have access to the services and support they need."

KDADS anticipates awarding a single statewide contract, though it reserves the right to award multiple contracts or adopt a regional structure if needed to ensure coverage and performance. The contractor may use approved subcontractors that meet the RFP standards. Implementation is expected to follow a phased approach, with full operational readiness targeted within three to six months of the contract award.

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This press release is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $221,898,007.82with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.