06/27/25

DSNWK and Masons award grant for stander

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is proud to announce a grant award of $2,707.11 to an Oberlin family who has a child with developmental disabilities. 

The money awarded will be applied to the purchase of a special standing device for the child to help them learn to walk. The Easy Stand Bantam is specifically designed to support the child as they learn to bear weight and gain independence.  

“DSNWK is proud to offer this grant award.” states Jerry Michaud, President of DSNWK. “This is exactly what this fund was meant to do. Help children in Decatur County, to live with greater independence and purpose.”

A special fund has been established by The Kansas Masonic Foundation and Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc (DSNWK) for children residing in Decatur County Kansas who have physical disabilities. This fund, called the Mountain Slope Masonic Lodge Special Needs Fund for Decatur County, has been established at DSNWK through a generous anonymous estate gift. 

All interested parties must complete an application. The intended recipient must live in Decatur County, Kansas, be 18 years of age or younger and have a diagnosed physical disability. A complete list of criteria is available on DSNWK’s website www.mydsnwk.org.

06/25/25

ACCESS Public Transportation faces 2026 budget shortfall

Posted Jun 25, 2025 5:01 AM

By TONY GUERRERO, Hays Post

ACCESS General Public Transportation in Hays is bracing for a 2026 funding gap after state funding fell short to keep rides rolling.

Jerry Michaud, DSNWK executive director, said KDOT has provided some funding for 2026, but it falls short, and with the city and county also unable to fully cover the deficit, a significant gap remains.

Michaud said the gap is about $161,000, with the city of Hays contributing $82,500 and Ellis County providing $50,000.

"We definitely appreciate the support of the county and the support of the city. They've been great partners all along the way," Michaud said.

ACCESS offers public transportation primarily to low-income, elderly and disabled individuals. Michaud said the service provided about 28,000 rides in 2024, with more than 11,000 of those trips related to work.

Michaud said there are no plans for immediate changes to the service.

"We've been able to make it work through 2025, but for 2026, we are seeing a deficit of which we're trying to find a solution to that," Michaud said.

05/21/25

Dash 4 Disabilities Fast Approaching

The Hays Recreation Commission’s 14th Annual Dash 4 Disabilities is right around the corner.  The fun run is scheduled for Saturday, June 7th at 8:00 a.m. on the West side of the Hays Aquatic Park (4th and Main).  Registration will begin at 7:15 a.m.  This run will consist of your choice of a 1 mile run/walk or a 5K run/walk. 

There is still time to register for this fun event for an entry fee of only $10 on or before June 4th. Cost after June 5th is $12. 

The run is for people of all abilities, will not be timed, and the proceeds will go to help support the programs coordinated by the Hays Recreation Commission that support people with intellectual and developmental   disabilities.   The run helps make the programs free or inexpensive for participants.  

Dash 4 Disabilities is sponsored by Hess Services, Papa Murphys and Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas.

For a registration form, map of the course, or any other information, contact Haley Nixon at 785-623-2650, haley@haysrec.org or go to www.haysrec.org.

05/01/25

DSNWK benefits from generosity of RCCF

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) is proud to announce that they are the recipients of a Rawlins County Universal Grant: “A Seat at the Table” in the amount of $649.95. The grant will go toward the purchase of new chairs for DSNWK’s College for Living program at Prairie Developmental Center (PDC) in Atwood. 

As College for Living participants age, they require additional mobility support to remain engaged and as independent as possible. The need for new chairs was identified through staff observations and participant feedback, highlighting the importance of having seating with armrests for easier transitions between sitting and standing.

“Many of the persons served at PDC face mobility challenges as they age and the current chairs do not provide the needed support because they lack the arm rests,” states Jerry Michaud, DSNWK President. “Having chairs with arm rests aid in their transition from sitting to standing and also minimize fall risks.”

04/14/25

Dancing Together for DSNWK raises more than $21,000!

A check for $21,306.45 was presented to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas from the Dancing Together for DSNWK event held on Sunday, March 2nd at Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Hays. Hays High School senior Allison Dreiling and Thomas More Prep-Marian senior Macara Rohr along with Alyssa Dechant with Styles Dance Centre presented the check on Thursday, April 3rd.

Styles Dance Centre has hosted the event for several years with this year raising the most money of any other year. A large raffle with a variety of donated prizes was also a contributing factor to the success of the recital.

37 individuals served by DSNWK participated in the recital which featured dances by both the dancers at Styles, HHS Cheer, FHSU Tiger Debs as well as special group dances featuring individuals served by DSNWK. 

“This event is really inspiring,” said Dechant. “ It's truly my favorite show of our season.”

04/07/25

Hays Lions Club supports DSNWK with grant

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is proud to announce that they have received a $500.00 grant award from the Hays Lions Club for the vision needs of the people they serve who have developmental disabilities. The grant will go to support DSNWK's Consumer Medical Fund. This Fund assists individuals with the cost of medical items and care that are not covered by Medicaid, items such as eye glasses and other vision needs. The Hays Lion’s Club has consistently supported our mission for 17 years and impacted many individuals whom we have served.  DSNWK would like to thank the Hays Lions Club for their continuous support of people with developmental disabilities.

03/21/25

DSNWK benefits from the support of the United Way of Ellis County

and the CARE Council

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is grateful to announce that The United Way of Ellis County has allocated $26,220 for the Job Placement Follow-along program for the FY 2025 budget year. Follow-along services are provided to individuals who complete DSNWK's Job Placement Program for support to maintain employment and for additional training in the future. DSNWK’s Job Placement Follow-along program can provide timely support before the individual loses their employment and helps reduce the dollars spent on job procurement, training new employees, and unemployment or disability payments. 

The United Way of Ellis County has also allocated $35,000 to DSNWK’s Kid-Link program for its Early Intervention Services for FY 2025. The DSNWK Kid-Link Early Intervention Program provides a system of services to help infants and toddlers from birth to the age of three who have a developmental delay, diagnosed disability, or are at risk for a developmental delay including vision and hearing impairments. Through early intervention services, DSNWK’s Kid-Link program can also help reduce the educational costs by minimizing the need for special education services. 

ACCESS Public Transportation was informed by the CARE Council of Ellis County that they have recommended an allocation to the Hays City Commission for an award of $82,500 for transportation services from the City of Hays Social Service Funds for the FY 2026 budget. ACCESS provides general public transportation services to the people of Hays and Ellis County. 

DSNWK would like to thank the United Way of Ellis County, and all who give to the United Way, for their continued support of people with developmental disabilities and to the Care Council for recommending an allocation to the City of Hays for ACCESS general public transportation.

03/20/25

PDC Receives Grant from Second Century Fund

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) is pleased to announce a grant award of $650.00 from the Second Century Fund for the purchase of chairs for its College for Living program at Prairie Developmental Center (PDC) in Atwood.

These chairs will greatly support  the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by DSNWK who utilize the College for Living program at PDC. The College For Living offers persons receiving services from DSNWK structured learning opportunities covering life skills and various educational and leisure topics, and is tailored to an individual's wants and needs.

“The benefit of these chairs selected are that they have armrests which will provide greater functionality for those individuals with mobility issues,” states Jerry Michaud, DSNWK President. “With the individuals at PDC getting older and needing assistance, these chairs with arms will work better for them when standing up from a sitting position and sitting down. At DSNWK, we are so grateful for all the support through the Second Century Fund.”

02/24/25

Dancing Together for DSNWK set for March 2 in Hays

An event coming in March will celebrate inclusion with dance. Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is a vibrant dance recital in Hays.

The free event, which will take place on March 2 at the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center at Fort Hays State University, begins with raffle sales at 4 p.m. and ends with the show at 5 p.m.

DSNWK, Styles Dance Centre and two high school students are leading the event to raise funds and awareness for individuals with disabilities.

Hays High School senior Allison Dreiling and Thomas More Prep-Marian senior Macara Rohr have long participated in Dancing Together and are now choreographing and planning the event.

"Music is such a good thing for individuals with disabilities, and it just reaches a different part of their brain. They all love it so much," Dreiling said.

"Getting to see their faces is so much fun," Rohr said. "Getting to be more a part of it was a big thing for me."

Dancing Together includes a raffle with donated baskets from local businesses and community members. Proceeds benefit DSNWK's Spring Fling, an annual gathering for individuals with disabilities across 18 counties.

Raffle prizes include coolers, sneakers and gift cards. Tickets are priced at $1 each, $5 for six and $20 for 25.

Styles Dance Centre owner Alyssa DeChant said the event originated from a Fort Hays State University leadership class. It has since grown into an annual tradition and is Rohr's chosen class project with assistance from Dreiling.

"It really is inspiring. It's truly my favorite show of our season," DeChant said.

The Dancing Together event has been in the works since December and brings together participants ages 5 to 60 as they prepare to take the stage for their big performance.

Alison Krier of DSNWK said their clients were excited when they learned about the practice. They asked about it daily until they arrived at the center to rehearse in large and small groups.

"They have a blast when they get here. They're very excited," Krier said. "They enjoy meeting all of the different partners that they get assigned with, being able to have a fun day out of classes and day services."

Steve Keil, DSNWK's development director, enjoys watching connections form between the dancers and the individuals his organization serves.

"Inclusion is a real possibility. Inclusion is part of how we should be as a community and society," Keil said.

01/10/25

DSNWK’s Hoxie Center Receives Surprise Grant from Sheridan County Community Foundation

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is pleased to announce a $500 grant for its developmental center in Hoxie.  This Golden Star Surprise Grant was made possible due to the Dueling Pianos event held on November 23rd.  The grant was recommended by the Sheridan County Community Initiative Fund, at the Sheridan County Community Foundation, an Affiliate Foundation of Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation.

“This grant was certainly a surprise to us and a blessing, especially during the Christmas season.  This will be put to good use at our Hoxie Center,” states Jerry Michaud, DSNWK President.