BEATRICE – The largest individual provider of services to the developmentally disabled served over 700 clients in southeast Nebraska the past year. APACE is one of over 170 service providers in the state. Its annual report was submitted to the Gage County Board on Wednesday.


Chief Executive Officer Matt Kasik says the organization supported 50 clients in Gage County….with a staff of 63 people and ten shared-living providers. The organization helped 24 developmentally disabled people have employment the past year.


"Beatrice is one of our agencies that is really growing, quite a bit. Between BSDC and Mosaic...as they shift and provide supports, we tend to take on people from those agencies, so we've had some pretty massive growth here."


Kasik says several local employers are dedicated to hiring those with disabilities. "We identify with our jobs and our roles....it provides meaning in our life. I like to recognize our employers....the people who take a chance on employing someone with a disability. Working is such an important element of life for all of us, and people with disabilities. They don't always get that same opportunity."


Kasik says APACE, like the prior year, is not asking for any funding from Gage County this coming year. The organization is primarily funded through Medicaid dollars…and Kasik says there are some challenges looming.


"This is going to be a tough year for us. Our budget cycle starts in July, so we're looking at our budget for the next year now. We've advocating with our state legislators. Since we are a Medicaid provider, they set our rates. However, there is no new money for rate increases in the budget they are debating. We did receive some one-time funding this year so we will be facing a $1.6 million deficit as we devise our budget for the next year....so it's going to be a tight year."


Kasik noted that the Governor has supported ending a waiting list for those with developmental disabilities….about a year ago, a list that totaled around 2,400 clients.


"There is new money in the budget for this, but it's a lower dollar amount. What's in the budget equates to about $12,000 per year, per person. If you take our 710 individuals and divide it by our annual revenue, it's about $81,000 per person...so really what we're seeing as the regulatory scheme changes and the wait list initiative...is to serve more people but with a lesser service."


Gage County officials Wednesday approved interlocal agreements with both Region Five Systems and APACE.