About Camber Children’s Mental Health

Camber Children’s Mental Health is the leading regional provider of children’s mental health services with a network of nonprofit hospitals and residential treatment centers in Kansas City, Wichita and Hays. As the pioneer of trauma-informed mental healthcare models in the region, Camber has spent over 30 years developing and enhancing innovative therapies to help thousands of children live more balanced, healthy and resilient lives. You previously knew us as KVC Hospitals and our mission and values remain focused on providing children with access to high-quality mental health services as soon as they need them.

Camber is proud to be an internationally renowned educational resource for healthcare and mental health providers, first responders, school districts, and a wide range of community partners who work with youth in need of intervention and support. Each year we provide training courses, webinars, and free continuing education units for thousands of community professionals. Our website also serves as an information hub with continuously updated blogs, videos, and resource guides for children, parents/guardians, and community members who may be seeking more information about mental health.

Watch this video to learn more:

We Changed Our Name—Here’s Why:

With youth suicide rates and mental health crises on the rise, Camber continues to grow to address the mental health needs of the region’s children and teens. It’s more important than ever that we evolve and enhance lifesaving intervention and collaboration for youth who are struggling with their mental health.

We are more than hospitals or residential treatment facilities. We are a trusted source for the children, families, and community professionals we work with to provide the expertise and care needed to ensure all children have the opportunity to live a balanced, more resilient life. In order to best serve our communities, we need a distinct brand that helps identify the unique care we provide and truly encompasses the range of services we provide.

Why Camber?

We are deeply committed to developing meaningful connections with every child in order to positively impact their quality of life and ensure mental health care is available and accessible. When we evaluated options for a new name, we wanted a word that reflected this promise.

Camber is an English word that means arch or bridge. A great description of what our employees do daily—building a bridge to better days for children and families through high-quality mental health services. We provide life-changing treatment and build connections with each child and family to empower them with the therapeutic tools, skills and education needed to nurture health and wellness.

Camber partners with the state of Kansas to ensure every child has access to quality, compassionate, and child-friendly inpatient mental health treatment. Our hospitals and residential treatment programs are able to provide a “safety net” for Kansas’s most vulnerable children and provide the opportunity for extended stays and special funding for those without a payer source.

Our Mission

To enrich and enhance the lives of children and families with trauma-focused behavioral healthcare services that foster connection and nurture health and wellness.

Our Vision

A world in which every person is connected to inclusive, quality behavioral healthcare and treatment.

The KVC Health Systems Network of Nonprofit Organizations

Camber is a private, nonprofit organization and a subsidiary of KVC Health Systems. KVC Health Systems is the parent company of a family of nonprofit organizations working to make a difference in the lives of children, adults and families.

KVC has 2,400 team members working from 60 locations across five states in the U.S. Our two regional sister organizations, KVC Kansas and KVC Missouri, provide family strengthening, child welfare, foster care, outpatient mental health services, and residential treatment. Over the past 50+ years, KVC’s network of care has positively impacted the lives of over 300,000 people.

Camber is accredited by The Joint Commission and is considered the gold standard in healthcare.

2022 Community Health Needs Assessment for Camber Kansas City (previously KVC Hospitals Kansas City)

2022 Community Health Implementation Strategy for Camber Kansas City (previously KVC Hospitals Kansas City)

2022 Community Health Needs Assessment for Camber Wichita (previously KVC Hospitals Wichita)

2022 Community Health Implementation Strategy for Camber Wichita (previously KVC Hospitals Wichita)

2019 Community Health Implementation Strategy for KVC Hospitals Kansas City

2019 Community Health Needs Assessment for KVC Hospitals Kansas City and KVC Hospitals Hays

Licensure and Accreditation 

While we work to fully transition to our new name, Camber, licensure can still be found under the following:

KVC Hospitals Kansas City – Private Psychiatric Hospital
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
Effective December 1, 2020 – Expiration December 31, 2022

KVC Hospitals Kansas City – Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, License # 09-12-003182-015
Effective January 1, 2022 – Expiration December 31, 2022

KVC Hospitals Wichita – Private Psychiatric Hospital
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
Effective August 14, 2021 – Expiration September 30, 2023

KVC Hospitals Hays – Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, License # 0066871-003
Effective January 1, 2022 – Expiration December 31,  2022