Illuminate Projects
In June 2023, Children’s Mercy announced a comprehensive initiative to address the mental health needs of children and teens in the community. Over five years, 14 projects will be launched impacting more than 80,000 kids. Powered by support from community champions across the region, significant progress has been made toward the goals outlined in the plan:
Facilitate Early Intervention
Integrating behavioral health in local primary care practices
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3 Pilot primary care offices
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Behavioral health clinicians reached over 1,300+ patients
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Transformed wait times from months to minutes
Teaming up with Center School District to facilitate school-based behavioral health
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8 Schools 2,700 students, pre-K through high school
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Improved behavior outcomes
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Building a model for implementing evidence-based programs.
Streamlining care coordination began with “One Front Door” intake process
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Creates one seamless entry point for families
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Quicker access to services, resources and referrals
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Anticipated to impact 9,000 area families
Increase Specialty Services
Opened first ever Depression and Anxiety in Youth (DAY) Clinic
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5,800+ Appointments since opening
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68% improvement in anxiety symptoms
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63% improvement in depression symptoms
Expanded eating disorders care
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The only consolidated program in the region to offer medical treatment, nutrition services and therapy for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
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Anticipate caring for 50% more families
Expanded rapid ADHD diagnosis
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Pilot program streamlines access to ADHD assessment and diagnosis
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Helps families get recommendations and next steps, faster
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Planning underway to grow program to include assessment of other concerns
Launched new Autism and Neurodevelopmental Continuity Clinic
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Bridges the gap between diagnosis and autism-specific care
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Helped nearly 300 families find care, support and early intervention services
Invest in Research & Innovation
Mental health research projects currently underway at Children’s Mercy are seeking to:
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Identify causes of behavioral health conditions
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Develop personalized therapeutics
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Identify and manage behavioral health risks
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Transform model of care for equitable treatment
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Advance digital mental health technologies
Expand Hospital Care
Construction launched to expand hospital care
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Olathe Mental Health Wellness Campus— a 72,700 square-foot, state-of-the art inpatient psychiatric hospital with 48 pediatric beds opened in December 2024 —a 29% increase in area beds for kids.
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The PATH Clinic — bridging the vulnerable gap between the Emergency Department and community health providers — opened January 2025 at Children’s Mercy Broadway.