A New Route to Childhood Wellness: Sam Rodgers’ Behavioral Health Van Brings Care to Schools

Across Kansas City, schools have become more than places of learning—they are critical touchpoints for addressing children’s mental health needs. Yet, many children struggle to access the behavioral health care they need due to systemic barriers. Thanks to the generous support of?AcruxKC,?Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center?(Sam Rodgers) is changing that narrative with its new behavioral health van, a mobile unit designed to deliver expert care directly to schools.

“AcruxKC launched its behavioral health grants program in 2023. We are thrilled to support Sam Rodgers’ new mobile behavioral health unit, which will bring essential behavioral health services directly to some of our community’s most vulnerable students at their schools. Whether addressing an individual student’s needs or responding to a school-wide crisis, the mobile unit represents the kind of innovative collaboration required to ensure uninsured and underinsured youth have access to the behavioral health care they urgently need,” said Beth Radtke, AcruxKC executive director.

The van, built on the Ford Transit platform and customized by Vandoit Adventures of Blue Springs, Missouri, is a thoughtfully designed mobile unit that prioritizes safety, comfort, and sustainability. Every element has been tailored to create a secure and calming environment for children. Dual entry and exit points allow for quick and secure access, offering peace of mind to both providers and patients. Inside, bolted-down chairs and strategically placed desks maintain safety while ensuring the space remains welcoming. “This setup ensures that everyone feels secure while allowing care to happen in a productive and supportive way,” said Kelly Flowers , chief operating officer of Vandoit Adventure Vans.

The interior is designed to feel warm and inviting rather than clinical. Zoned lighting with dimmable settings adapts to the needs of each child, whether calming blue hues to reduce anxiety or brighter tones for focus and energy. Enhanced insulation dampens external noise, fostering trust and openness. “Lighting and sound can have a significant impact on a child’s comfort during therapy,” Flowers said. The van’s 460 amp-hour lithium battery system ensures reliable, long-lasting power for lighting, ventilation, and other essential systems, allowing it to operate continuously throughout the day without interruption. “The van can operate for days without plugging in, which is ideal for uninterrupted service delivery,” Flowers added.

Staffing is a critical component of the van’s effectiveness. Either a therapist or a psychologist, along with a community health worker, will always be on board to provide care. “For assessments, we need a psychologist. For therapy, it can be a clinically licensed social worker,” said Manuel Solano , M.D., director of behavioral health at Sam Rodgers. Community health workers bring an additional layer of support by addressing social determinants of health, such as housing or food insecurity, using tools like the?PRAPARE Screening Tool. “Community health workers help link families to resources that address these critical needs,” Solano said.

The behavioral health van is equipped with the same technology and tools available at the main health center, ensuring continuity of care. Solano noted, “It is loaded with all the technology that we have at the center in any behavioral health exam or therapy room.” This includes interpretation services through a virtual interpreter, making care accessible for patients who may not speak English. The seamless integration of these tools allows clinicians to provide the same high-quality, compassionate services they would offer at the center, even in a mobile environment. By integrating these resources, the van provides consistent, reliable services that help build trust with young patients and their families.

Through a partnership with?SchoolSmartKC, the van will travel to schools where it is needed most, eliminating barriers such as transportation challenges and scheduling conflicts. SchoolSmartKC plays a critical role in organizing behavioral health services across the city and assigning specific schools to care providers like Sam Rodgers. This collaboration ensures that resources are distributed equitably, allowing schools to address students’ mental health needs effectively. School staff will identify and refer students to the van, streamlining access to services. The mobile unit offers screenings, therapy sessions, and psychological assessments, allowing Sam Rodgers to provide timely, impactful care. “This flexibility is vital,” Solano said. “The van ensures we can provide services in schools where they’re needed most.”

The behavioral health van is also designed to play a role in emergency response situations. Solano highlighted its flexibility to address crises in schools by providing immediate behavioral health support on-site. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with the?Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)?to integrate the van into larger regional response efforts. “By having the mobile unit, we can respond quickly to schools that need behavioral health services during a crisis,” Solano said. This added capability underscores the van’s potential to serve not only as a preventive tool but also as a resource for urgent interventions.

The behavioral health van has yet to begin operations, but its design and strategy reflect Sam Rodgers’ commitment to addressing gaps in mental health care for children. By operating within approved areas, the van eliminates logistical delays often associated with federal site approvals. “For a federally qualified health center, every time we provide services at a particular site, unless it is a mobile unit, we have to ask for their approval,” Solano said. “By having the mobile unit, we do not have that restriction because the mobile unit is authorized by the?Human Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)?to go to several locations.”

Ensuring the behavioral health van’s sustainability is a priority for Sam Rodgers. Solano acknowledged the costs associated with maintaining the program but expressed optimism about its potential. “If you ask me, the answer is yes,” he said when discussing the possibility of expanding the initiative in the future. “But it depends on sustainability.” His focus remains on demonstrating the van’s impact and building community partnerships to support its operations, ensuring children continue to receive the care they need.

The support of AcruxKC has been instrumental in bringing the behavioral health van to life. Their generosity enables Sam Rodgers to serve children in schools and demonstrates the power of collaboration in addressing community health needs. As the van prepares to hit the road, it carries the promise of transforming how mental health care is delivered—one school and one child at a time.

You can help make a difference in the lives of children in Kansas City by supporting initiatives like this. Visit?https://raisedonors.com/sam-rodgers-health/donation-page?to contribute today and ensure every child has access to the care they need.