 The story of Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. (DSNWK) is a story of people - the people in northwest Kansas who are disabled, and the people who serve them. The story began to unfold back in 1966 when a group of people met to plan a sheltered workshop program for the northwest Kansas area. Dr. Jack King was instrumental in the early planning stages for Homer B. Reed Adjustment and Training Center. It was one of the first workshops serving people with disabilities in Kansas, and one of 40 in the United States. County support through local tax dollars began in 1973 and the center began utilizing federal dollars through the Title XVI Program.
The same year, services were also expanded to Hill City and were soon followed by expanded services in Atwood. Meanwhile, in Hays, six group homes and an apartment for semi-independent living were added.
Because of the outstanding response of people in the western half of the 18-county region, the organization changed its name to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas in 1976. The Board was restructured at that time, assuring that representatives from each county funding the programs would be included on the Board. Over the next 15 years, services continued to expand to include both preschoolers and aging consumers, integrated employment and vocational training, adult education and community living through Teaching Family and Supported Living residential opportunities in homes and apartments. During this time, with the closing of the Norton State Hospital, DSNWK opened ICF/MR homes and training centers in Norton and Russell. New Individual and Family Support services were added to provide services to persons with disabilities who still remained in their homes.
Today Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas offers programs for people with disabilities in 18 Northwest Kansas counties. These programs are community based rather than facility based, with DSNWK seeking out opportunities to work, live, and learn in the community while providing greater independence and more personal choices for the men and women it serves
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