By Dave Ranney, KHI News Service, Februrary 24, 2010
TOPEKA — The House Social Services Budget Committee heard testimony Wednesday on the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services’ $1.6 billion budget.
Gov. Mark Parkinson has proposed cutting the department’s overall spending by $43.4 million in fiscal 2011, which begins July 1. The agency's current year funding also has been cut.
SRS Secretary Don Jordan said the department has had to lay off workers while cutting operational costs and services.
"This has been an extremely challenging time," he said.
He asked committee members not to lose sight of the department’s mission.
"Sometimes, social services are all too often talked about in terms of reimbursement rates and grant dollars," Jordan said."But it’s important to remember the physical and human resources that these dollars are invested in and how they benefit the people of Kansas."
The cuts, he said, have diminished services for people who need them. Further cuts will only worsen the situation.
"We need social workers and call centers to protect children from abuse. We need hospital buildings and nursing staff to protect people with mental illness who are a danger to themselves and others. We need intake staff to provide assistance to struggling families and we need a robust provider network to provide community services for individuals with disabilities that we are mandated to serve," Jordan said.
Today, SRS has about 3,700 employees. That’s 400 fewer than in 2008, Jordan said.
He spent about 20 minute explaining how earlier cuts had affected the department’s budget and its ability to provide services.
Afterwards, Rep. Mike Kiegerl, R-Olathe, said he objected to hundreds children with developmental disabilities – most of them preschoolers - being on a waiting list for community services.
Kiegerl said the fact that SRS is denying services to children with developmental disabilities gave him heartburn.
He asked Jordan: "Do you have any idea where in your budget we could find money for the (developmentally disabled)? Where would it hurt the least?"
Jordan said eliminating the waiting list would cost between $35 million and $40 million in state funds.
"I can assure you we do not have a spare $35 million hanging around the agency," Jordan said. "I’m positive."
Kiegerl said he would not support an SRS budget that did not include funding to move children off the waiting list.
The committee is expected to hear additional testimony on the SRS budget Thursday.