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Henry Reacts to Guidance Center Shortfalls

By David Meyer

04/19/2013

(KAIR) -- With news earlier this week of Guidance Center Director Keith Rickard expressing the effects of his mental health organization’s shortfalls to Leavenworth County Commissioners, a State Representative shares his reaction.

The Guidance Center serves Leavenworth, Jefferson and Atchison Counties.

Jerry Henry is one of the Representatives in those counties.

The Cummings Democrat has voiced and voted his opposition to the reduction of funding to mental health in recent years.

Rickard told Leavenworth County Commissioners the Guidance Center sees nearly double the patients as a decade ago while the center is down in revenues by 400 thousand dollars in 2012 funding from 2011.

State law requires the center to provide services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

Henry says the Guidance Center’s budget can be deceptive, leaving some lawmakers to believe there is more funding than actually exists for covering patients (Play Audio)

Henry says Governor Sam Brownback, following the Newtown Connecticut shooting, suggested that the legislature earmark 10-million dollars for a program to assist individuals with violent tendencies. However, Henry says that will do little to assist with overall mental health funding.. (Audio Continues)

Rickard has said if the projected 10-million dollar cut from community mental health center grants goes unchanged, the center will lose 183 thousand dollars in grant monies.

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