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Grant County is gearing up to prepare its annual budget, and that means various local organizations are making the rounds in search of appropriations – money from the county which helps them provide services that benefit the local community. Among the organizations that presented to the commissioners at their May 6 meeting were Southwest Developmental Services Inc. and Russell Child Development Center.
The county has traditionally provided funds for those organizations, and they are mostly asking for the same amount this year.
The county did not commit to providing funds at this time, just listened to their presentations.
νSouthwest Developmental Services Inc. (SDSI) is a Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) that helps clients gain access to funding and services for daily living. The local office that serves Grant County is in Garden City.
Steve Sandoval is the president and CEO of the local SDSI and he said counties designate them as the CBDO — Community Based Development Organization. The CBDO does not provide services, but shares funds with all of the providers.
“We contract with the state and ensure a network of providers in our 18-county area,” Sandoval said. The 501c3 serves 1,133 individuals across 18 counties.
“Anybody entering the system comes through us,” Sandoval said. “We determine eligibility. Unfortunately, there’s a 10-year waiting list right now.”
SDSI receives state aid, CBDO Admin funds and county funds.
The request this year is $56,557 based on valuation.
“We have methodology, but we get what we get,” Sandoval added.
νRussell Child Development Center is a community-based not-for-profit organization and is the umbrella agency for early childhood programs in 13 Southwest Kansas counties. The main office is in Garden City with satellite offices in Dodge City, Liberal and Scott City.
Sephanie Wills is the Early Intervention Program Director, and said that, statewide, RCDC provided services to 11,600 children under the age of 3.
“For a child to qualify for our program, they have to show a delay or a diagnosed disability,” Will said. “They can show a delay in one area of 25 percent or in two areas of 20 percent and we determine that by observing them play and asking them questions and to an assessment with all of our professionals that we have on our team.”
Teams consist of early childhood special ed teachers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, nurses and social workers.
“Once a child qualifies for our program, we determine who would be the best fit for that team based on the child’s needs and the family’s needs,” Wills said. “Then that person would go into the family’s home and offer support to help them with coaching and helping that child meet their milestones.”
The services provided to families are free and there is not a waiting list.
Grant County provided $36,000 to RCDC last year and they requested $35,000 this year. RCDC provided services to 32 children in Grant County last year.
When a child reaches the age of 3, RCDC helps the child transition to Part B, which in Ulysses is High Plains Educational Cooperative.
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