News & Notes

Right now, parents in Northeast Kansas are facing moments no family should ever have to face. When their child is in the middle of a mental health crisis, help is often far from home. With no local facility for emergency psychiatric care, families drive long, anxious miles - only to hear there are no available beds. Days or weeks can pass while a child suffers without urgent care. For some, that delay ends in tragedy.

The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center is pleased to announce several leadership updates that strengthen the Bert Nash Center’s ability to serve the community, including the addition of its first in-house General Counsel, the promotion of a new Clinical Director, and leadership title updates that reflect the scope and impact of key leaders across the agency. Joining the Bert Nash Center in this newly established role is Ivery Goldstein, who will serve as General Counsel

There’s a moment many parents recognize - the shift from “we should probably look into this” to “we need help now.” For one local family, that moment came quickly. Their daughter had always been a bit anxious, but last winter something changed. What once felt manageable became urgent.

Bella arrived carrying little more than a backpack. Mental illness ran deep in her biological family, and by the time she came to Jane’s home, her life had already been chaotic, and full of trauma. When she was removed from her mother’s custody, there wasn’t even an immediate place for her to go. She spent two nights sleeping in a child welfare office before Jane could take her in.

In 2025, the Bert Nash Center faced a year of significant challenges as the need for mental health services continued to grow across Douglas County. Even during a time of financial and organizational change, the focus remained the same: making sure individuals and families could continue to access the care and support they needed. With the support of donors, volunteers, community partners, and staff, Bert Nash continued serving nearly 2,500 individuals each month while improv

Members of the Bert Nash Center (BNC) community engagement team had the honor of taking part in the West Middle School spring carnival on April 25, joining their Good Vibe Warhawks Club to share mental resources and celebrate the club’s success in selling out of the homemade bracelets and accessories they made to support community mental health care.

At the Bert Nash Center, our work is rooted in compassion, integrity, and equity on a foundation of hope. Each year, the Spirit Awards recognize team members who embody these values in ways that strengthen our organization and the community we serve. These awards carry a meaningful legacy. When the first Sandra Shaw Spirit Award was presented in 1992, it was awarded to Virginia Vickers, whose dedication, teamwork, and compassion helped shape the foundation of the Bert Nash Ce

At this year's event, in addition to recognizing two exceptional team members with Spirit Awards, thanking outgoing board members for their steadfast dedication and welcoming new members, BNC leaders will present the prestigious Pioneer Award to David Johnson and the Lyn Smith Distinguished Service Award to Don Grosdidier.

Members of the Treatment & Recovery Center Team. Today, April 10, our community marks an important milestone: three years since the Treatment & Recovery Center of Douglas County (TRC), operated by the Bert Nash Center, opened its doors. As a core program of the Bert Nash Center, the TRC reflects our values of compassion, integrity, equity, and a foundation of hope. With a team of approximately 92 professionals, including unit coordinators, behavioral health specialists, case

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health (LDCPH), in partnership with Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center (Bert Nash Center), has been awarded $50,0000 from the Dougals County Municipalities Fight Addiction Fund, approved by the Board of County Commissioners on March 18, 2026, to expand access to HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV) testing for uninsured and underinsured residents in Douglas County.

Bert Nash Center faced a challenging 2025 marked by change and uncertainty but emerged stronger, with improved financial stability and focused services. With support from donors and partners, thousands received care and stability. The Center is now advancing a strategic plan, expanding technology like a patient portal, and prioritizing sustainable growth—remaining committed to accessible, high-quality behavioral health care for the community.

The Treatment & Recovery Center of Douglas County (TRC) provides crisis care as an alternative to ERs and law enforcement, serving over 9,100 episodes. While most clients stabilize, some face repeated crises. To address this, the “C-Cubed” team meets weekly to create personalized solutions for high-risk individuals, tackling barriers like housing and insurance. This approach improves outcomes and supports long-term stability.