Supporting You provides individuals the opportunity to gain support from a peer who has experienced a similar situation and/or circumstance in life who can share ideas, resources, and provide a listening ear during a time of need.

Developed in partnership with the Bureau of Family Health Family Advisory Council (BFH-FAC), our goal is for Kansans to gain support from a caring and compassionate peer who shares a connection and is willing to tell their own personal story, while they walk alongside someone else as they tell theirs.

“We believe people desire to be supported by others who have experienced similar situations where they can express their grief, concerns and questions, without feeling judged. We also know that peer support is one of the strongest measures of individual/family support.” Heather Smith, Systems of Support Section Director, KDHE

At the present time, there are two participating programs with Supporting You:

1. Kansas Special Health Care Needs program: Families of children with special health care needs. Primarily focused on those with medically complex conditions or physical disability.
2. Kansas School for the Deaf: Families of children with hearing loss

Supporting You is administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s System of Supports Section, within the Bureau of Family Health. The BFH-FAC will provide oversight in the future to monitor consistent practices and fidelity among partnering organizations.