Parsons State Hospital and Training Center (PSHTC) is one of two residential treatment, training and care facilities operated by the State of Kansas to serve individuals with intellectual disabilities and receives primary funding through the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. The Center is certified by the State Department of Health and Environment under Title XIX of the Social Security Act as an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID). As such, the facility is required to meet established conditions of participation and is subject to semi-annual review. Residents living onsite must be eligible for ICF/IID level of care and receive active treatment in order for the facility to be reimbursed. For more information on ICF/IIDs or the ICF/IID review process click here.
The Hospital is certified by the Kansas Hospital Association as a special Mental Hospital and by the State Department of Education as a Special Purpose School.
The Hospital opened in 1903 as a State Hospital for Epileptics. In 1957, the Hospital was renamed Parsons State Hospital and Training Center and began providing programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The Hospital occupies 43 buildings on 163 acres. Major components include residential services, the University Center on Developmental Disabilities and the Parsons Research Center for the University of Kansas, the Special Purpose School of the Southeast Regional Education Service Center, and the Southeast Kansas Agricultural Research Center of Kansas State University.
As of November 2018, 165 individuals were receiving services as residents on the PSHTC campus. An additional nine individuals receive inpatient services through the Sex Predator Treatment Program Maple/Willow House Reintegration Facility. In addition to having an intellectual disability, approximately 90 percent of individuals are also dually diagnosed with a psychiatric impairment or behavioral disorder.
Individ
uals (minimum age six years) are admitted on a voluntary basis with the signed consent of the parents or legal guardian. Individuals must be classified as eligible for the ICF/IID level of care and in need of active treatment. The Community Developmental Disability Organization and Managed Care Organization working with the person and parent or legal guardian must determine that services are not available in the community and PSHTC is the least restrictive environment for the individual before requesting admission.
Applications are screened by the Admission Committee and the final determination is made by KDADS. After admission, the process of Person-Centered Planning takes place. Services are based on the values and goals of each resident. Staff members listen to how individuals want to live then try to meet those requests while balancing obligations to keep people healthy and safe. Efforts to help individuals return to their home communities are a priority from admission through the successful return to community based services.
PSHTC has enjoyed a national and international reputation in the field of intellectual disabilities primarily as the result of a relationship with the University of Kansas, University Center on Developmental Disabilities at Parsons, which was established in January 1958. This affiliation has created many significant advances in research and attracted a large group of highly qualified professionals who provide professional training opportunities and leadership in Kansas programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.