A contract dispute has ended a University of Kansas research center’s collaboration with the state’s community mental health centers. KU researchers have worked with state mental health staff for more than 30 years. The dispute has some mental health providers lashing out at officials in the administration of Governor Sam Brownback. Heartland Health Monitor’s Jim McLean explains the history behind the growing controversy.
Jim McLean is a reporter for the KHI News Service in Topeka. He's also a contributor to Heartland Health Monitor, a reporting collaboration focused on health issues and their impact in Kansas and Missouri. The partners — Kansas Public Radio, KCUR, KMUW, KCPT Public Television and the KHI News Service — strive to bring listeners and readers timely, accurate and comprehensive coverage of health and health-related issues.