In this file photo from Jan. 9, 2008, a puppy looks out of its cage at the Lawrence Humane Society.

A parade of individuals Wednesday told Douglas County legislators that critical needs for the elderly, mentally ill and those with disabilities were going unmet because of funding shortfalls.

“I’m very angry with the state of mental health in Kansas,” Bill Simons said.

Simons said the lack of mental health facilities was jamming up the Douglas County Jail and creating potentially dangerous situations. And he criticized the quality of care at state mental health hospitals.

“It’s very easy for the mentally ill to get in trouble with the law,” he said.

Local lawmakers took notes as they prepared for the 2008 legislative session, which starts Monday.

Every year, the Douglas County delegation holds a pre-session meeting to hear from groups and individuals.

“It provides the opportunity for community organizations to tell us more about themselves and what their concerns are and what kind of legislation and funding would be helpful,” said state Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, who organized the session.

Representatives from nearly 20 groups showed up to talk to the legislators.

And the common thread linking many of them was that they were thankful for the efforts that legislators made to increase social service funding, but more money was needed to take care of increasing needs.

Janet Cairns, clinical manager with the Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation and Hospice, said the state should increase the reimbursement it allows for Medicaid services, which covers only a fraction of the costs of providing assistance to low-income elderly Kansans.

“These people are the people who truly need our services,” Cairns said. “These are the folks who are the most vulnerable.”

She said providing services to the elderly in their homes, instead of a nursing home, makes them more independent and costs the state less money.

Sandra Kelly-Allen, coordinator for the senior program Project Lively, urged legislators to fight for increased funding to eliminate a waiting list for those wanting to receive services in their homes and community. “It’s the waiting list to nowhere for many of them,” she said.

Bob Mikesic, assistant director for programs-advocacy coordinator at Independence Inc., also sought an increase in funding for home and community-based services.

And he asked the delegation to support legislation to establish more equal coverage of mental illness by private insurers and an increase in the lifetime cap of $7,500 for equipment such as lift chairs and stair lifts.