More than 5,000 Missourians with developmental disabilities who rely on state employees to help them access services will be assigned to outside agencies by the end of 2027, a move that will eliminate 216 state positions.
The Department of Mental Health’s Division of Developmental Disabilities currently provides direct case management to 5,152 people statewide. About 87% of Missourians eligible for services through the division already work with contracted case managers employed by nonprofits or county disability boards.
Support coordinators work with individuals with disabilities and their families to develop and monitor individualized support plans, which identify the person’s needs and goals and, with approval from the division, help them access services, including those funded through Medicaid…