Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas announced Monday it will be condensing services and reducing its presence in some northwestern Kansas communities.
The restructuring is an “effort to balance a deficit budget brought on by chronic underfunding of community services for many years coupled with rising costs,” according to a DSNWK news release.
Headquartered in Hays, DSNWK is a community-based service provider for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 18 northwest Kansas counties.
DSNWK recently announced to recipients of services in Oakley that day and residential services will soon be discontinued. Day services will end December 31; residential support services will cease at the end of January, 2015.
DSNWK is working with affected individuals and their families on their options and assisting in the transition efforts. DSNWK has provided services in Oakley since 1993.
In Hill City, DSNWK will close one group home which serves six individuals. Those people will move to other locations with openings or offered alternative services.
Other changes occurring throughout DSNWK include eliminating positions and reducing employee hours in Hays, Norton and Russell. Freezing capital expenditures and reducing monthly expenses have also been implemented.
Earlier this fall DSNWK announced to individuals and their families the upcoming elimination of its agency-directed supported home care services.
“These changes have been some of the most difficult steps we have had to take–action brought on by the chronic under-funding of the community support system,” said DSNWK president Jerry Michaud in the news release.
“Our mission-driven effort to provide services and support has been relegated to reducing some of the core services and options developed to meet the real needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in northwest Kansas as well as their families.
According to Michaud, “DSNWK’s core funding–HCBS Waiver–has not seen a rate increase since 2008. That same year, because of funding shortages or cuts, DSNWK was forced to close its Colby location, consolidate residential service settings throughout the service area and eliminate many staff positions to remain fiscally balanced.
“Unfortunately, these changes made by DSNWK are very necessary and reflect the real effect of what funding cuts and inadequate funding rates do to the community service network across Kansas for persons with developmental disabilities. We appeal to our state legislators, the Governor and policy makers to recognize the damage taking place, halt actions that may cause further damage and address the flat rates and push for the long overdue adjustments needed to course-correct the downward path of these essential services,” said Michaud.