Lana Messner has been hired as the KAIMH Infant Mental Health Endorsement Coordinator and brings a wealth of experience in the early childhood field specializing in infants, toddlers and families. Lana has provided technical assistance, coaching and training to Early Head Start programs, early learning programs, child care centers and family child care. In addition, Lana is an experienced state, regional and national trainer on early childhood topics including infant mental health, evaluation and research, program design and implementation, infant and toddler child care quality improvement, oral health, child abuse prevention, physical activity and nutrition, home visiting, and infant/toddler teacher preparation and professional development.

Lana holds an Infant Mental Health Mentor Endorsement - Level IV® (Policy), Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction - Early Childhood Education and Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education.

Lana resides in Lawrence, Kansas and looks forward to working with applicants on their journey to attain the KAIMH Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health®.

Kirsten Horton joins KAIMH as an Administrative Assistant in Newton, where she previously worked for Prairie View Mental Health in an array of positions. Originally hired as a Human Resource Specialist in charge of Credentialing, she turned a large mess into a clean, organized and efficient job. It left her regularly with time to spare. When the Purchasing Coordinator left Kirsten was offered that job in conjunction with her credentialing job. In few weeks she had streamlined purchasing and was asked to assist Medicaid Waiver therapists in organizing their paperwork demands. A couple months of helping that department and they were back on track. Additionally, Kirsten assisted the Vice President of Human Resources in updating and creating policies as well as preparing and presenting training power points.

Kirsten has a Bachelor's Business Administration from Friends University and coaches women’s softball at Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas.

Kirsten has a busy family of four, which include a husband, 2 children and 3 crazy dogs. All which keep her life moving in many directions.