NEWS & NOTES

The Bert Nash Center has officially appointed Dr. Kirsten Watkins as CEO. With more than 20 years of behavioral health experience and eight months as Interim CEO, she becomes just the fourth leader in the organization’s 75-year history, guiding its next chapter of compassionate, community-centered care in Douglas County.

The Bert Nash Center is proud to announce the release of its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan , marking the second cycle of our three-year strategic planning process. Building on the foundation established through our 2022-2025 plan, this new strategy reflects the specific needs, opportunities, and realities of where we are today. This plan charts our path forward. Honoring where we’ve been and strengthening our commitment to excellence and the values that shape how we serve our com

Security Benefit awarded the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center with a $25,000 grant to support the Judge Jean Shepherd Youth Recovery Center. This new, youth-focused, crisis center is being developed to serve youth and their families by providing 24/7 crisis intervention, short-term stabilization, and outpatient treatment in a single facility.

Six months ago, I stepped into this role during one of the most challenging financial periods in our agency’s history. Our rapid growth and the increasing need for mental health services stretched our internal systems, while growing financial pressures have added additional strain to the broader healthcare environment.  We addressed these challenges head-on by refining financial systems for greater effectiveness, and making making strategic decisions to ensure our long-term s

JoAnna reflects on connecting with other parents at the Bert Nash Center Parent Support Group. The resources shared by the facilitator and connecting with other parents who were navigating similar challenges was life-changing.

Jessica is determined to make sure everyone who needs to hear it knows they are not alone. She calls her work with clients – something she never thought she’d have the opportunity to do – her “heart and soul.”

When Carol Huettner, a North Lawrence resident, recognized a woman in crisis, her quick thinking and knowledge of the Treatment & Recovery Center (TRC) of Douglas County helped ensure the woman received immediate, expert mental health care.

Dani Edwards, Senior Director of Finance The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Dani...

The Treatment & Recovery Center (TRC) of Douglas County. After being initially recommended for a provisional Crisis Intervention Center...

From his tireless work in the community garden at the Community Health Facility campus to the support and encouragement he shares on...

Dr. Kirsten Watkins, Interim CEO The transition from summer to fall reminds me that change is part of every season of life and that...

A young BNC client pets a horse at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead Looking very much like any other group of giddy schoolchildren and...

As we work to stabilize the Bert Nash Center’s finances, our team is identifying areas for improvement to ensure we can keep providing...

Dr. Kirsten Watkins, Interim CEO Bert Nash has been your community mental health center (CMHC) since it was founded in 1950 in memory of...

As the designated Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) for Douglas County, the...

Annual reports, by definition, highlight the past year’s accomplishments and impact. The 2024 Bert Nash Center annual report is all that and more.

The results of our 2024 client satisfaction survey are in.

On behalf of the Bert Nash Center, I wish to express and affirm our support for gender-affirming care within our community.

Sally Monahan shared this testimonial at the Bert Nash Center’s annual Celebrate Bert Nash fundraising breakfast in October. We are...

It really does take a village. Take the case of Gerald, a Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center client, for example. Multiple local...