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11/13/2025

DSNWK Celebrates Successes at Awards Luncheon

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas hosted its annual awards luncheon in Hays on October 21st. Awards were given throughout the afternoon to staff, persons served, and community members.  The first awards of the afternoon were given to employees of DSNWK for their years of service. Those staff recognized and listed by location, were:

Atwood - Amber Barnett, Martina Urban

Hays -  Robert Begler, Janet Bolander, Derek Crabtree, Tammy Dreiling, Terri Farrington, Timothy Gohl, Jeremy Goodale, Michael Greene, Kathrine Hampton, Hazen Hance, Timothy Herman, Magdalen Housman, Madeline Hutchins, LeAnne Kroeger, Vanessa Moore, Cheryl Morgan, Jared Normandin, Alicia Preston, Leah Schlyer, Terry Schmeidler, Lance Sprick

Hill City - Cynthia Bauer, Kelly Granger, Dawn Powell

Norton - Deirdre Nelson

Russell - Tamara Lynch, Sandra Nietzke

Recognition was made to six people who retired from DSNWK over the past year.  They were; Connie Fross, Dale Haag, Deanna Leiker, Denise Stritt, Audrey Ummel and Paul Wildeman.  

Special recognition was also paid to three staff members for their outstanding work with persons with disabilities.  April LeJuene of Atwood, Dilene Reinhardt of Hays, and Dawn Rose, of Russell were each presented with the Employee of the Year Award. 

A $100 scholarship award was presented to Alyssa Cole who is attending Fort Hays State University.  This award was given from the Jerelyn Becker Memorial Scholarship Fund for employees studying in higher education in a field related to serving people with developmental disabilities.

Several awards were given to individuals served by DSNWK for achievement through employment.  Those receiving awards and listed by location were: 

Atwood - Kelly Fisher, Judy Leiker

Hays - Jimmy Brungardt, Matthew Green, Jacob Houghton, Olivia Hueneke, Anthony Morgan, Derrick Morton, Dallas Rupp, Asia Schonthaler, Tyrone Schumacher, Trenton Uhl

Hill City -  Alyssa Logue, Val Stradel

Plainville - Haley Ciarallo

DSNWK’s newest awards recognized contractors through its Shared Living program.  Those receiving awards for one year were: Kiera Goodwin, Kimberly Griffith, Gloria Johnson, Tabitha Madden, Casey Whitley and Landon Williams of Goodland.

DSNWK presented two Individual Achievement Awards to individuals served by DSNWK.  AeraAna Austin Oder of Lucas and Jared Barnes of Hill City were presented these awards which go each year to one youth and one adult who have shown tremendous individual progress throughout the year.  

Awards were presented to community individuals and businesses.  Master Cleaners in Hays received DSNWK's Employer of the Year Award for their outstanding support of people with disabilities in the workforce.  The Community Support Award was presented to U-Save Pharmacy of Hays for their support of DSNWK’s Employment Connections.  Recognition was made to Martin Jimenez of Hays with DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Award for his outstanding volunteerism.  

Finally, DSNWK recognized two long-time advocates of DSNWK for their support with its Vision of Hope Awards.  The Scheopner Family of Goodland and Connie Weber and the late Allan Weber of Oakley were honored.  DSNWK paid tribute to them for their outstanding support over the years for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

11/10/2025

Pete Henry Foundation supports DSNWK’s Hoxie Location

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is proud to announce a grant award from the Pete Henry Foundation in the amount of $1,350.00. The grant will go toward the purchase and construction of a new gazebo for DSNWK’s Hoxie Developmental Center. 

The gazebo will be a designated space providing a safe, shaded outdoor area for outdoor recreational activities, and socialization, directly benefiting the well-being of the individuals receiving services in Hoxie and also for the community. “We believe this investment will provide a practical and useful outdoor space for individuals served,” states Jerry Michaud, DSNWK President. “The gazebo will enhance their daily experiences and foster a greater sense of community.”

DSNWK would like to thank the Pete Henry Foundation for their continued support of DSNWK and its mission in the Hoxie area.

10/21/2025

Michaud awarded the Mark Elmore Award

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) congratulates  DSNWK President/CEO,  Jerry Michaud, for receiving InterHab’s Mark Elmore Award for Leadership.

This award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Michaud’s vision, compassion, and guidance continue to make a lasting impact across communities in the northwest Kansas area.  

“Jerry is a consistent leader and compassionate about the work he does,” states Colin McKenney, InterHab Board Member.  “He is concerned about everyone around him and props people up.  That’s just the kind of person he is.”

Michaud received this recognition at InterHab’s annual conference on October 10th in Manhattan.  

InterHab works in partnership with its 40-plus member organizations to educate legislators and community leaders about the benefits of community inclusivity and advocates for the funding and resources to make community-based services possible.

10/16/2025

Graham County Community Foundation Grant

A grant in the amount of $2,108.00 has been awarded to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) by the Graham County Community Foundation for Empowering Lives: Mobility and Accessibility Upgrades. The grant will be used for essential equipment and furnishings for Kobler Developmental Center and the Prout Street Home in Hill City. This includes transport chairs, shower chairs, rolling carts, and outdoor furniture to enhance safety, dignity, and accessibility.

“The need for this project was determined directly by our frontline direct care staff who have daily contact with the people we serve,” states President Jerry Michaud. “Through their daily observations and documentation, they identified the evolving needs of the aging population in our care.”

This initiative directly supports DSNWK’s mission to ensure every person served by DSNWK has access to the resources and environments that provide them with the opportunities for greater independence.

08/11/2025

KDADS supports DSNWK with grant

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, was recently announced as the recipient of a grant from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).  

This grant will be used to acquire and implement key training programs to enhance staff competency and improve service delivery within the day service model. These training programs are designed to provide staff with specialized skills and knowledge, ultimately leading to better outcomes for individuals with I/DD. 

In addition, staff will have access to better training tools to help them provide effective education for individuals served. As a provider, implementing these additional curriculums, training, and certifications, DSNWK will be in better alignment with the new Day Service licensing expectations. 

“With this grant our staff will have the additional tools needed to be skilled, knowledgeable, and prepared to provide person-centered services based on a person's desired lifestyle that promotes their independence, community inclusion, and personal growth within the new day service model,” states Jerry Michaud, President. “This investment in high-quality curriculum will ensure that the training is both effective and respectful of the unique needs of the individuals we serve. This will aid in helping those served having greater inclusion and independence within the community.”