Biennial Report Covering Agencies Of The Government Of The State Of Kansas PDF Download

The Kansas Neurological Institute was established in July, 1959 when the land and buildings, formerly called Winter Veterans Hospital, were obtained from the federal government to be used as an institution for the mentally retarded. in July, 1959, reconstruction and remodeling were undertaken, staff recruitment was begun, and the first patients were admitted in January, 1960. The purpose of the institute as prescribed by the Legislature is to provide for the evaluation, treatment, training and care of mentally retarded children, the training of personnel, and for research into the causes and prevention of conditions responsible for causing retardation, and proper methods of treatment and training of mentally retarded children. In 1969 KNI joined other national leaders in what became a trend in shifting from custodial care to resource centers offering comprehensive professional services for the mentally retarded. April 18, 1977, the Developmental Discipline concept was given official recognition and acceptance in the State of Kansas. Thus, from the long practiced medical model of custodial care had evolved the developmental model of habilitation and training. The goal of the Kansas Neurological Institute is: 'to function as a regional community Resource Center, committed to responding creatively and effectively on behalf of the retarded by providing services and resources which supplement or enrich efforts of individual families and basic specialized health, education and welfare services available in the community. The programs and services provided by KNI continue to be planned and implemented with the intent that a maximal number of residents may receive the training and preparation that will enable their return to the community into the environment that is considered the least restrictive to each individual's needs. The scope of planned programming ranges from those that will accommodate individuals in need of short term crisis care to the severely-profoundly handicapped who require long term developmental program planning.