WICHITA, KAN. — A Request for Proposals (RFP) released by the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) aims to reduce tobacco use among individuals with a serious mental illness. The smoking rate among Kansas adults experiencing a serious mental illness in the previous 30 days is more than double that of individuals without mental illness.

Activities funded through the Tobacco Treatment and Recovery in Behavioral Health request will support organizations within the behavioral health system to shift toward being tobacco-free as well as advocate for increased coverage and usage of tobacco-dependence treatment benefits.

KHF will host an informational webinar at 9 a.m. Feb. 3 for potential applicants. Webinar registration is available at www.kansashealth.org, and a recording will be available.

“Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and illness in Kansas,” said Jeff Willett, KHF Vice President for Programs and Policy. “And research shows that this issue disproportionately affects individuals with a mental health diagnosis. This population is significantly more likely to smoke, and this high rate of use contributes to the fact that individuals with a serious mental health condition are dying 25 years earlier than other Kansans.”

Applicants are required to notify KHF of their intent to submit a proposal by 5 p.m. Feb. 12, and must submit these LOIs through the link found at kansashealth.org/TobaccoRecoveryRFP under “Letter of Intent Submission.” Upon receipt of the letter of intent, KHF will provide the link to complete the online proposal, which is due by 5 p.m. March 7. For questions regarding the online letter of intent or proposal process, please contact Gina Hess, KHF Grants Associate, at 316-491-8411 or ghess@khf.org.

**MEDIA: Please contact Cari Westhoff, cwesthoff@khf.org, for interview requests or additional information.**

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About the Kansas Health Foundation

The Kansas Health Foundation is based in Wichita, but statewide in its focus. Its mission is to improve the health of Kansans. To achieve this, the Foundation promotes health and wellness in schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces. Grows leaders in communities. Inspires decision makers. Acts as a voice for healthy public policy. And starts and fosters community philanthropy that will see its mission thrive for generations. Together with grantees and partners, the Foundation’s goals include making Kansas the healthiest, most productive, most livable state in the nation. To learn more, visit www.kansashealth.org; follow on Twitter, @KansasHealthOrg; or visit facebook.com/KansasHealthFoundation.