Atchison (June 6, 2002):

• Poorly attended by community stakeholders. Five folks came and stayed, two others had been at the SAM presentation and also at the CDDO presentation, this week.
• I strongly encouraged their participation at the meeting in July and the ones who had seen the materials excused themselves.

Atchison (July 12, 2002):

• Stakeholders Present: Heart of America Family Services, Mount St. Scholastica, ILC-NEK, ASNEK, KVC, DCSW ( Therese Rohrer), and six SRS employees

Identify the most significant impacts and implications related to policy changes made by the 2002 Legislature in order to meet FY 03 budget reductions.

• Who has to implement parent participation fees? What if they don't pay? Verify income?
• Pharmacy Co Pay & Formulary Changes. Pharmacist dropping out?
• Supported Family Living Homes. Dual diagnosis pushed into DD side, like to see accountability across the board. Lack of educ/collaboration RE: Foster care.

Should the 2003 Legislature change any of the policy decisions that were made?

• No funding for waiting lists. Can't replace when death occurs.
• No service for kids transitioning out of school.
• HCBS rate hasn't increased at the rate state hosp's increased.
• Janet has been good to have in leadership position. Laura Howard from DD side.
• Crisis Services-Anticipate more with less ability to deal with up-front. Narrowing scope if what crisis is.

For consideration of the 2003 Legislature, what are the lowest and highest priorities for continued services? What service gaps exist?

Highest Priorities:

• No more cuts.
• CDDO's now only to serve needs, not wants.
• Services won't be as comprehensive.
• Peoples lives are at risk due to lack of funding.

Lowest Priorities

• Parking garage
• Statue on Dome
• Raises for Legislature, benefit trade

Identify what steps the community needs to take to prepare for the immediate budget crisis and what steps can be taken to deal with the policy changes likely to be taken by the 2003 legislature.

• Greater collaboration with all agencies. Takes time/compromise
• Parent meetings-client involvement. Advocacy with the Legislature.
• Educate the Legislature.

Lawrence (June 10, 2002):

• 31 persons in attendance (not counting staff and two consumers) from CDDO's, Medicalodge, Lawrence Workforce Center, Independence Inc.(IL), DCCCA, Bert Nash, Full Citizenship, The Shelter, Cottonwood (CDDO), SACK, The Arc, Dyntek, Project Acceptance, KDHR.

• Joel Mathis, from the LJW, was present and had some questions regarding the number of families served by Family Preservation and Family Services in the Lawrence area's seven counties. He was comparing statewide impact to regional implications. (FYI, from 7/1/01 through 6/7/02 there were 133 FP referrals and since 12/01 through 6/7/02 there have been 142 FS cases open, a percentage of those are for the Douglas County truancy program).

Questions/Comments:

• When would things be changing.
• How the waiting lists are maintained.
• Impact on the State hospitals.

Lawrence (July 11, 2002):

• Stakeholders Present: Cottonwood, The Arc of Douglas County, SACK , Hospice Care of Douglas County, KU, Division of Adult Studies, Residential Alternatives, Bert Nash, The Shelter, Inc , Independence Inc, KVC, DCCCA.

Identify the most significant impacts and implications related to policy changes made by the 2002 Legislature in order to meet FY 03 budget reductions.

• PD Waiver reimbursement rate reduction of 1/1/02 has decreased the ability of consumers to retain personal care attendants.
• Parental participation will have a financial impact on those who are already unable to pay.
• Forcing consumers to choose between PD Waiver and hospice when they may need the services of both.
• Health care for individuals with no source of income. Medicare cuts directly affect that group of people
• Increased pharmacy co-pay will force many people to go without medication.
• Without adequate funding people will have to wait longer for services.

Should the 2003 Legislature change any of the policy decisions that were made?

• Consumers should not have to choose between PD Waiver and hospice since services are not overlapping.
• Kansas needs to develop an Olmstead plan.
• Revenue enhancements to fund services.
• Mobilization of a long term care task force.

For consideration of the 2003 Legislature, what are the lowest and highest priorities for continued services? What service gaps exist?

• There are no low priorities.
• Revenue enhancements
• Continue services at current levels
• Funding to decrease waiting lists
• Funding to support working healthy programs
• Service gaps:
• Between foster care and adoption
• Growing waiting lists.
• PD Waiver change to stop allowing hours for supervision.
• Support for KAN Be Healthy.
• Child welfare resources and access.
• KDHE regs. vs. SRS-better & open interactions: i.e., licensing.

Identify what steps the community needs to take to prepare for the immediate budget crisis and what steps can be taken to deal with the policy changes likely to be taken by the 2003 legislature.

• Unite pharmacy community & drug reps. (SHICK program).
• Support political candidates who support revenue enhancements.
• Continue communication between SRS and Stakeholders.
• Homeless shelter/rescue shelter.
• Mobilize a long-term care task force to create a long-term plan for Kansas.
• Kansas needs to develop an Olmstead plan.
• Identify alternatives for children placement.

Q: How is SRS going to handle parental payments?
A: Our staff will not take money. We will inform the family of their obligation to pay and where to submit payment.

Q: What about a toll free phone line to save on travel and staff?
A: As we look at fewer resources, we will look more at technology to bridge the gap.

A member of the audience asked if another meeting such as this one could be held after budget cuts are made?

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