(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.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Severe storms move through NE KS
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
LATEST STORIES
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
Trail rides ending at Indian Cave State Park
Atchison's BC names Educator of the Year
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Road, railway repairs, underway in Atchison this week
KS replacement plates see long wait times
RELATED STORIES
Johnson and Pawnee Counties Approve Dispatch Agreement
Johnson County NE Attorney Submits Resignation
Former SE Neb Teacher gets Jail Time & Fine
Lt. Gov. Heidemann Resigns, Withdraws as Ricketts Running Mate
Hassebrook Campaigns in SE Nebraska
Neb. Republicans Nominate Ricketts for Governor
Pawnee County Election Results