Hello, I am Cody Haviland and I have worked at Southeast Kansas Mental Health
Center for over the past seven-plus years in the children’s community-based
services. There was one service I had never done until this past school year, and it
was parent support. Parent Support is a service that Southeast Kansas Mental Health
offers that provides advocacy to parents by teaching effective parenting skills if a
child qualifies to be on the SED Waiver. This service also has parent support groups
that meet that focus on specific topics or skills in a safe friendly environment.
Through my master’s level practicum at Fort Hays State University and Southeast
Kansas Mental Health Center, I have had the opportunity to work with many families
this school year to come alongside them to connect to resources, connect with other
community agencies, attend school IEP meetings and so much more. I did not realize
the full extent of the work that parent support does until my practicum this year, and
if I didn’t as an employee then how many people outside of SEKMHC do? There is a
growing need within rural communities and within schools to have more access to
quality mental health care for all age groups.
That growing need for mental health services and the need for more providers are
part of the reasons I wanted to go back to school to pursue an MSW with the
support and encouragement of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.
Therapists have the opportunity to encourage, connect, support, advocate, assist
and empower others on their mental health journeys. That is what I have witnessed
over my seven-plus years at Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center and that is what
I want to do for the foreseeable future. If you want to experience this level of care,
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is here for you.
Cody Haviland
School-based Children’s Case Manager Team Lead
Parent Support Liaison
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center