Kansas Health Institute | Staff: Dave Ranney

Dave Ranney, Senior Writer/Editor, is a journalist who has covered state government for the Harris News Service, the Wichita Eagle and, most recently, the Lawrence Journal-World. He has a special interest in social services. Ranney received the Burton W. Marvin Kansas News Enterprise Award in 2000. The award recognizes outstanding reporting by a Kansas newspaper. Ranney, who holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, worked with adults with developmental disabilities for eight years before becoming a reporter.

Work by Dave

Governor proposes cuts in children's programs

Cites uncertainty in tobacco settlement funding

Citing uncertainty in the amount of money Kansas will receive from major tobacco companies as part of a long-standing legal settlement, Gov. Sam Brownback has proposed cutting $16 million from programs that promote parenting skills and early childhood development.

SRS admits lax investigation of abuse reports

The acting head of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services today apologized for the agency not doing enough to investigate reports of elder abuse and neglect.

Testimony favors diversion agreements for the mentally ill

A father whose mentally ill son has had several encounters with police testified in favor of a bill that would create a legal framework so that low-level offenders who are mentally ill could get treatment in lieu of jail time.

Nursing home administrators pan abuse hotline

SRS officials too slow to respond to concerns, legislators told

The chairman of the House Committee on Aging and Long-term Care says he's fed up with SRS' adminstration of the hotline for reporting adult abuse and exploitation.

SRS defends change in food stamp policy

A top official at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services defended a change in policy that has resulted in at least 1,000 children being dropped from the state’s food stamp program.

‘Turf battle’ continues over dental practitioner bill

Dentists oppose new classification, while supporters cite need for dental care providers

A bill that would allow a new type of oral health care provider in Kansas faces opposition from dentists. But backers of the bill include the state’s safety net clinics, major health foundations, several dentists who disagree with the association’s stand and officials at Fort Hays State University, which wants to launch a program to train the registered dental practitioners.

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Dave Ranney

Senior Writer/Editor