Federal funds used to save Cottonwood

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Bob Holden and Southeast Missouri lawmakers have agreed on a plan to save the Cottonwood Children's Residential Treatment Center by leveraging federal money to cover a portion of its operational costs.

The Democratic governor cited a lack of available revenue when he excluded the Cape Girardeau facility from the state budget proposal he presented lawmakers in January for the fiscal year beginning July 1. At the behest of area lawmakers, the Republican House budget chairman last month agreed to put funding for Cottonwood back into the appropriations bill for the Department of Mental Health.

Cottonwood's current state appropriation comes from general revenue. The center is in the process of being certified to receive federal reimbursements through Medicaid, which would allow the state to shift costs to the federal government.

Roughly $2.27 million is included for Cottonwood in the current version of the pending mental health appropriations bill. Of that amount, almost $1.45 million would come from general revenue with $823,550 in federal money. House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said depending on the circumstances the amount of available federal funds potentially could more than double, further reducing the general revenue set aside for the facility.

Holden spokeswoman Mary Still said the plan is a bipartisan alternative that reduces the state's financial burden.

"The governor believes it is a good solution," Still said. "It looks feasible and we're supportive."

The various appropriations bills that make up the state budget are still before the House Budget Committee, which could forward them to the full chamber by the end of next week. Once the spending measures clear the House, they will undergo further review in the Senate.

Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Monday at the Show Me Center to discuss the plan to preserve Cottonwood.

Cottonwood, which opened in 1987 on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, is a 32-bed residential treatment center for children ages 6 to 17 who have behavioral and emotional problems.

"Cottonwood Treatment Center has, for 17 years, been an invaluable tool for changing the lives of children and families in Southeast Missouri," said Crowell, adding that if it were to close, the nearest place for area children to receive similar care would be in Farmington.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said strong community support and cooperation among elected officials are helping to save the center.

"Closing Cottonwood would be a serious policy mistake that would deprive children of treatment they truly need," Kinder said.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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