Illuminate Projects

Integrating behavioral health in local primary care practices

• In 3 community-based primary care offices.

• Since launching, behavioral health clinicians have reached patients through more than 2,100 visits.

• Wait times to see a behavioral health provider have been transformed from months to minutes.

Teaming up with Center School District to facilitate school-based behavioral health

• 8 schools 2,500 students, pre-K through high school

• In one school year, seven out of eight schools saw a reduction in office discipline referrals. 

• Building a model for implementing evidence-based programs.
  
  

Streamlining care coordination began with “One Front Door” intake process

• Creates a seamless entry point for families seeking behavioral health care.

• Quicker access to services, resources and referrals.

• Anticipated to impact 10,000 area families since its launch.

Opened first ever Depression and Anxiety in Youth (DAY) Clinic

• 250+ patients have gone through the program.

• 77.4% improvement in anxiety symptoms.

• 76.7% improvement in depression symptoms.
  
  

Expanded eating disorders care 

• Children's Mercy now offers the only specialized program in the region for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
  
  

Expanded rapid ADHD diagnosis 

• Pilot program streamlines access to ADHD assessment and diagnosis for 500+ families.

• Helps families get recommendations and next steps, faster.

• Planning underway to grow program to include assessment of other concerns.

Launched new Autism and Neurodevelopmental Continuity Clinic 

• Bridges the gap between diagnosis and autism-specific care.

• Helped more than 500 families find care, support and early intervention services.

Mental health research projects currently underway at Children’s Mercy are seeking to:

• Ongoing research: Children’s Mercy researchers are leading the way in pediatric mental health research seeking to identify the causes of behavioral health conditions, develop personalized therapeutics, advance digital mental health technologies and transform models of care to improve access.

• Future growth: Children’s Mercy, in collaboration with external advisors, is mapping out next steps to build on its strong foundation of research and innovation—leveraging opportunities to expand research that will transform mental and behavioral health care.

Construction launched to expand hospital care

• Olathe Mental Health Wellness Campus — Opened in December 2024, the 72,700-square-foot inpatient psychiatric hospital transitioned its original 48 pediatric and 24 adult beds to a fully pediatric model, resulting in 72 pediatric beds — a 43% increase in regional capacity. Since opening, the campus has provided more than 1,500 admissions.

• The PATH Clinic — Since opening in early 2025, the PATH Clinic has provided 300+ visits, bridging the vulnerable gap between emergency care and community providers. 

• Partial Hospitalization Program — Opened in August 2025, this integrated program supports children with mental or behavioral health needs alongside medical and/or developmental complexity. 

  Read about the Partial Hospitalization Program launch. 

• Emergency Mental Health Crisis Center — A calm, safe space for patients in crisis. Opened December 2025, 166 children have already been through the doors.

• 5 West — Opened December 2025, an innovative inpatient model for children with medical and psychiatric needs.