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Social Services Committee reopens KDHE, approves KDHE and KDADS budget amendments and targeted allocations
Summary
The Committee on Social Services Budget voted to add targeted SGF and ARPA funding to health and disability programs, amended KDHE and KDADS budgets, moved a $1 million training line to FY2027, and approved a $224.9M governor’s package to stand up the Office of Early Childhood. Votes were voice votes; provisos were included in the governor’s package.
The House Committee on Social Services Budget reopened the Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) budget and approved multiple amendments before advancing both KDHE and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) budgets as amended.
Representative Steens moved to add proviso language directing $750,000 in state general funds for CPR and AED grants to KDHE for fiscal year 2027; the committee seconded the recommendation and approved it by voice vote. The chair then moved—and the committee approved—final passage of the KDHE budget as amended and closed the KDHE hearing.
The committee considered a suite of KDADS items described in staff materials, ranging from reappropriations for SIA beds and HCBS waiver services to one‑time construction grants and substance‑use provider funding. Representative Carpenter successfully moved a reallocation that preserves total dollars while raising the personal‑directed (PD) waiver reimbursement rate (presented as a move to $23/hour) to make in‑home care more financially viable for providers. That motion was seconded and approved; staff clarified it applies to the 2027 fiscal year and that the adjustment is revenue‑neutral within the committee’s totals.
Separately, the committee increased funding for an Inclusion Connections construction project to $3.5 million total, to be paid with ARPA funds and timed for FY2026 construction. Representative Rees secured a change moving $1,000,000 for Kansas Employment First training and technical assistance from FY2026 to FY2027. The panel also approved wording changes to the nutrition services line to explicitly reference Meals on Wheels to reduce ambiguity about intended providers.
Representative Steens moved—and the committee approved—an $1,800,000 SGF line for Mirror Inc (substance‑use services) for FY2027. Representative Carpenter also moved to reallocate $750,000 originally in the community support waiver’s financial management services contract to Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDOs) for administrative support; the committee approved that reallocation and members discussed inviting CDDO representatives to brief the committee on placement processes.
Most motions and approvals were completed by voice vote; committee members repeatedly distinguished discussion items from formal actions and asked staff for follow‑up clarifications on timing, fund sources, and implementation.
The hearing on KDADS concluded after the committee agreed to accept KDADS’ FY26–FY28 budget as amended.
Ending: Committee staff will incorporate the adopted amendments into authored documentation and follow up on technical clarifications (timing for ARPA‑tied construction, details on CDDO administrative needs, and the FY placement of Employment First funds).
