Article Photos

Mona Dillard, of Fort Dodge, calls her son the love of her life.

Every day, she lavishes care on Jodey Dillard, who was born 20 years ago with Down syndrome and a host of health problems. Because of his condition, she must bathe, dress and groom him every day.

And to keep state mental health officials satisfied, she must document everything she does each day to care for her son.

''I spend a lot of time writing all of this documentation,'' Dillard said Thursday evening during the Webster County Disabilities Alliance Legislative Dinner.

Her comments were part of a plea to lawmakers attending the event: Cut back on the paperwork so family members and professionals have more time to care for the people who need help.

About 80 people attended the session at the Bank of America building, 723 First Ave. S.

The lawmakers on hand were state Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg,; state Sen. Daryl Beall, D-Fort Dodge; and state representatives McKinley Bailey, D-Webster City; Dolores Mertz, D-Ottosen; and David Tjepkes, R-Gowrie.

Those elected officials didn't offer any solutions to the paperwork woes.

''With cutbacks in administration, who's going to be there to read this stuff anyway?'' Beall asked.

He and the other legislators spent more time listening than talking during the session.

As they listened, they heard Dillard describe how she keeps a little book in every room of her home so she can jot down everything she does for her son.

They also heard Joan Lara, the case management supervisor in the Webster County Department of Community Services, describe the volumes of paperwork her staff must do. She said the process begins with a five-page initial application for everyone who needs mental health services. That's followed up with even more forms, including a 26-page essential life skills plan and in some cases a 23-page crisis plan for those with chronic mental illnesses.

''We document the documentation,'' Lara said.

Some amount of reports and paperwork is necessary, according to Irene Blair, the director of the county Department of Community Services. The goal, she said, is to reduce that paperwork to what is meaningful.

The lawmakers now bracing themselves for some hard work on the state's recession-riddled budget when they convene in January also heard about how spending cuts might affect people who need mental health care.

Amy Pederson, of Fort Dodge, said a state program was key in paying for treatment her son, Dalton Matter, needs for hyperactivity and Tourette's syndrome, a condition that causes uncontrollable verbal outbursts.

''Mental Health Title 19 has made a big difference in my Dalton's life,'' she said. ''It scares me to think what might happen if it's lost to budget cuts.''

Matter, 10, was the first person to address the lawmakers and the audience. He talked about coping with his condition.

''More than one kid has it, but I felt like I was the only kid that had it,'' he said.

Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net