Mental health planning and advisory councils (PACs) exist in every state and U.S. Territory because of the passage of federal law 99-660 in 1986, and continuing through Public Law 101-639 and Public Law 102-321 in 1992. The Mental Health Block Grant program is administered by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), which is an agency of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The objective is to support state creation and expansion of comprehensive, community-based systems of care for adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI), and children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). The goal is to help individuals to lead independent and productive lives.

In order for the state of Kansas to receive federal Mental Health Block Grant funds, the planning and advisory council must be involved and make recommendations. The council currently consists of a diverse mix of twenty-five members whose composition is laid out by Kansas Statute 39-1605, as revised by the 1997 Kansas Legislature, amended to conform to Section 1914. The planning council is required to review the yearly block grant plan, make recommendations to the state mental health authority (SRS/DBHS/Mental Health Substance Abuse Prevention Treatment and Recovery); to serve as an advocate for adults with SPMI, and children with an SED and their families; and to monitor, review and evaluate the allocation and adequacy of mental health services within the state.