DSNWK among providers seeking court's help with funding
Published on -3/14/2010, 7:19 PM
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By GAYLE WEBER
Developmental disability service providers including Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas filed a mandamus petition with the Kansas Supreme Court Friday, hoping to stop state funding cuts to their organizations.
InterHab, a state association that represents disability service providers, filed the petition seeking a return to the system of the money cut in Gov. Mark Parkinson's latest allotment. For DSNWK, that amounted to a loss of $665,000 for the 2010 fiscal year, which ends June 30.
"Our role in this petition as a plaintiff is it has to stop," DSNWK President Jerry Michaud said. "Unfortunately, it's been falling apart. We want to salvage it before it dissolves."
DSNWK is one of many plaintiffs in the case, including individuals, families and other organizations, Michaud said.
As a result of continued cuts in the social and rehabilitation services budget, which funds organizations like DSNWK, 70 positions have been eliminated since July 2007 in the 18 counties DSNWK services.
Four group homes have been closed including one in Hill City this month. Remaining group homes are at capacity.
"From a business perspective, we're trying to manage the circumstances the best we can," Michaud said. "But from a people perspective ... if you've lived in Hill City, well now, you have to move to Atwood because that's where the opening is."
Michaud said the most detrimental cut has been in state grant funds, which support individuals who do not qualify for the Medicaid home and community-based services waiver.
DSNWK lost about $500,000 in July from those funds, and statewide, organizations lost $1.3 million from the governor's allotment.
"We did not get involved in this legal battle just because we want to stir the pot," Michaud said. "The reality is we must do something with the system."
