Commission Hears Status Of SB40 Projects: Workshop Gets Van, PLC Plans For DMH Funding

The PLC and CRSW, both projects funded through the Productive Living Board (PLB), are moving forward into 2025 with renewed purpose.

That being said, only a slight setback in plans occurred when the PLC’s hoped for contract with the state to provide mental health services was not accepted.

“This was only a first try. As you know the state doesn’t hand out contracts like hot cakes. We can reapply, and there is no limit as to how often we can resubmit the application,” said Fleetwood.

They were given some “hints” as to how tweak the wording, and the application was upgraded and resubmitted on Saturday, said Fleetwood.

Fleetwood said the SB40 board gave the sheltered workshop a four percent increase in funding.

“The agreement we signed with them last year was for $6,500 a month, and we raised that to $6,800.

A small financial crisis at the workshop could also be covered with some money the PLB keeps in reserve, said Fleetwood.

He said past $100,000 deficits at the shelter had kept depleting funding which had been set aside for residences.

“We have replaced that money with our targeted case management funds which we get from the Department of Mental Health for working with developmentally disabled people.

He said, “This money is to provide their plan, so that they know what services they can use their waivers on. That’s a function that is uniquely given to SB40 boards to be able to operate that with the Department of Mental Health, whereas workshops are done through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).”

These are “two different worlds.”

Fleetwood reported that the workshop has received a new $100,000 transportation van.

“This comes from a grant that we started working on two years ago,” he said.

The money was granted, but there were problems with some of the Biden administration DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) rules. However, that issue has now been resolved.

Fleetwood responded to rumors on Facebook which he said, “once again are surfacing, creating community distress with half-baked accusations that are untrue,” even going so far as to make fraudulent reports to the abuse hotline of the Department of Mental Health. Fleetwood said one of those accusations is that the PLC is paying for university classes for hired staff, which is a misconception.

He explained the PLC was able to take one (1) three-hour class, free of charge, through the Virginia Commonwealth University. “This was to become certified to analyze Medicaid and Medicare benefits in order to help consumers know for which they qualify,” said Fleetwood.

Further, he said there are other free trainings in which the PLC staff takes part in an effort to be proactive.

“These classes involve all of the elements that we will eventually need to have, once we are certified and have a contract with the state,” Fleetwood explained.

He went on to say the PLB posts its monthly meetings, minutes, and treasurer’s reports, all online on the Productive Living website, and that the board stringently adheres to all requirements of the Missouri Sunshine Law.

“It’s all out there, and anyone with questions or concerns is always welcome to come to our meetings and be a part of what we are doing. We are not trying to hide anything,” said Fleetwood.

For more information about the PLB, go online to www.productiveliving.org.