IOLA, Kan. — Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) has taken steps to preserve local behavioral healthcare following a retroactive rate adjustment for 2025 that resulted in an overpayment for services during that year.
To repay these funds, SEKMHC has made the difficult decision to end its employment relationship with 23 staff members, effective April 30, and implement salary reductions for additional staff and officers. These changes are in addition to separating from Ashley Clinic and Yates Center Dental. These measures were necessary to stabilize the organization and ensure continuity of services.
“SEKMHC has consistently been identified as being among the best CMHCs/CCBHCs in the state at providing high-quality clinical services. These actions ensure our organization can continue to provide the highest level of mental health care. SEKMHC leadership and its board of directors are committed to providing the highest quality of care, maintaining services, and having the best trained staff,” Doug Wright, Interim CEO SEKMHC.
At this time, no further staffing changes are anticipated at SEKMHC, and the full array of client mental health services remains available and will continue without interruption. SEKMHC’s leadership team and board of directors are committed to transparency of information with patients, staff, and the community, which is why they are releasing this statement. SEKMHC will share further information as it becomes available or is appropriate under the circumstances.
For decades, SEKMHC has been a trusted leader in behavioral health services in Kansas, and it will continue striving for excellence in delivering that care.
