Cape County board for disabled could hire 8 case workers

The Cape County Board for Developmentally Disabled learned Tuesday that it is eligible to hire up to eight case managers that would be partially subsidized by the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

During a discussion of the board's contract to underwrite Medicaid services through the state's Mental Health Trust Fund, Terry Regenold, director of the Sikeston regional office of the mental health agency, said the number of people with eligible developmental disabilities would justify that many case workers.

The board, seeking to expand services because it has a $2.7 million bank account, is working toward hiring its first employees. In the past, funding from the property tax supporting the board has only been used to provide services through VIP Industries and its affiliated not-for-profit agencies.

The board met at the County Administration Building in Jackson.

Cape Girardeau County has 299 people with eligible developmental disabilities. Of that number, only 24 percent are receiving help from board funds, according to figures provided to the Southeast Missourian by Regenold. The state would underwrite $22,000 of the cost of each case manager, Regenold told the board.

"We would need to prioritize with you" to determine how fast the program could be set up, she said.

The board wanted to meet with Regenold to understand how its annual commitment of $225,000 to the trust fund is used. By putting the money in the trust fund, she told the board, her agency is able to obtain federal matching funds that support transportation to and from the VIP Industries sheltered workshop.

But not of all the money is used each year, so Regenold presented the board with an updated contract that allows the funds to be spent on services that make it easier for clients to function on a daily basis and live independently.

The services would continue to be provided by VIP Industries or its housing agency, Regency Management. After the meeting, Regenold said more agencies could be added later if the board decides to expand the number of providers it funds.

Under questioning from board president Dory Johnson, Regenold turned over to the board her agencies list of 76 people, age 3 to 52, who are on a waiting list for services. No names were used, but Regenold said many would not be eligible for Medicaid-based services but could be helped by the board with its local tax funds.

In other action, the board recommended that Jeff Baer, a CPA, be named to the board to replace former board president Robert Landgraf, who resigned last month after 35 years on the board.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

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