Genesis

Segebart thinks redemption centers can stay open

By ART CULLEN

Best news of the week: Sen. Mark Segebart, R-Vail, says work activity centers probably will survive a vote by the Senate Human Resources Committee to be included as “core services” required under a new mental health funding bill.

Not much landmark legislation is expected in this, an election year, from the Iowa Legislature that convenes next Monday. As old Hippo once said, “First, do no harm.” Don’t try to reinvent the public school system or its funding formula in one session. Clean up property tax reform you created last year. Forget about increasing the fuel tax. And there are so many other things not to step in.

Genesis Development’s Discovery Department organized a donation drive to support dogs at the TLC Canine Center in Newell.

Storm Lake United Commercial Travelers Council #357 represented by Monica Rice and Tom Rice presented Genesis Development with $100 to put toward the annual Christmas party for members. Ed Rice representing Storm Lake I.O.O.F. Lodge 221 donated $500 also to be put toward the Christmas party. Accepting the donations were Kami Jorgensen, Amy Morgan, Ann Hill, Kathy Otto and Retia Shugar.

A hearty Iowa cheer goes out to Sen. Mark Segebart, R-Vail, who told us Wednesday that he is fully committed to making certain that no client falls through the cracks or that work activity centers are diminished under a new mental health redesign.

Segebart says he will work across aisle to maintain workshops, expand services

By ART CULLEN

Sen. Mark Segebart, R-Vail, said he is committed to keeping work activity centers viable under a mental health funding redesign implemented last year.

The problem with sheltered work activity centers designed to employ Iowa mentally handicapped adults are as complicated as they can be. So it is no easy task to help them in their hour of need, as new rules governing mental health care and costs find their way to application. In the case of Genesis Development of Storm Lake, it appears that the days of sheltered workshop may end come July. That’s when the work activity center plans to quit redeeming cans and bottles.

The most vulnerable among us are again on the bottom of the heap. Genesis Development of Storm Lake plans to discontinue redeeming bottles and cans for their nickel deposit because of changes in mental health rules. Now, handicapped people cannot work exclusively in a sheltered work activity center sorting cans. They are required to get jobs in the community so they are “integrated” better. Hence, those who are not found job placement outside the work activity center will have little productive to do.

New mental health rules doom sheltered workshops

State deposit too low to make program work, official says

By DOLORES CULLEN