Committee hears emotional mental health testimony

Two House committees held a joint hearing Thursday to find out the fates of some 220 youths who have been diverted from psychiatric residential treatment facilities since a state agency began reviewing the screening process this past spring.

Statistics presented during the hearing showed that most of them are receiving other mental health services. But the hearing ended with an emotional story of one 13-year-old for whom that wasn’t enough.

Linda Davis, of Manhattan, testified that her grandson attacked her early one morning in their home after he was twice denied admittance to PRTFs in favor of home-based services. He pleaded guilty to sexual battery and was placed in the custody of the juvenile justice system, which arranged for him to receive treatment in a PRTF.

"Our family is exhausted and traumatized," Davis said. "We have been urged repeatedly over the years to just give up custody. But we acted responsibly, caring for our child ourselves. We asked for help only when we truly needed it, and then we didn't get it."

Davis said that at the time of the attack, she and her husband had custody of her grandson, whose mother had abused him.

The grandson had been diagnosed with three mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and needed around-the-clock supervision. He was in his third PRTF placement when the new screening measures were enacted and, Davis said, "was making some progress."

"Then, at that critical point, because of a change in state policy driven by finances, (he) did not screen for an extension of stay at the PRTF," Davis said. "There was no option except for him to come home."

After the hearing, Davis said she and her husband paid for her grandson to stay at a private psychiatric facility for nine days following his PRTF diversion, but they could afford no more than that. His behavior steadily declined after he went home despite weekly outpatient counseling sessions, leading to multiple 911 calls and one trip to the emergency room.

Davis said hospital officials described her grandson's behavior as "psychotic, delusional and aggressive," yet he again was denied admission to a PRTF and sent home. Less than a week later, he attacked his grandmother.

"People say 'the system is broken,' " Davis said. "But I don't think system is the right word for the assortment of agencies in Kansas that all seem to have the motto, 'It's not our department.' "

Rep. Pat Colloton, R-Leawood, chairwoman of one of the committees, thanked Davis for her testimony.

"It’s very compelling ,and it certainly illustrates what can happen,” Colloton said.

The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services began reviewing PRTF screenings in June amid concerns that the facilities, which are intended to treat children with psychiatric conditions, also were admitting those with nonpsychiatric conditions, such as mental retardation, autism and drug addiction.

Gary Haulmark, acting deputy secretary of SRS, testified that the agency had kept tabs on the 220 youths who were diverted from PRTFs between July 2011 and February 2012. He said 25 appealed their diversion and, on appeal, 12 of the diversions were overturned.

Of the remainder, Haulmark said all but 33 received some sort of community-based mental health services. Of the 33 who were diverted without other services, 14 ended up in a PRTF within 30 days of diversion.

Michael Hammond, executive director of the Association for Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, testified that former SRS Secretary Rob Siedlecki said the agency's intent in reviewing the PRTF screenings was to ensure that emotionally disturbed children without a documented psychiatric condition "receive the right service at the right time by the right provider in the right amount so they experience recovery and live safe, healthy and successful lives in family homes. Children whose psychiatric treatment cannot be safely and effectively served in the community can and should be screened and provided access to PRTFs."

After the hearing, Hammond said there are cracks in the system, and he was going to look into Davis' case. He said SRS reviews showed that, by and large, mental health centers are making the correct decisions and delivering appropriate services, but the system had lost nearly $60 million in funding since 2007, including $38 million from the state general fund.

"The Legislature and policymakers need to understand there are consequences when you make budget cuts," Hammond said. "For our system, that means less care is going to be provided. That means some people may go without access to care. It's very unfortunate, but it is a reality when policymakers make budget decisions, you have to expect there will be negative outcomes."