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David Heumader, circuit courts administrator
While it was Judge David Darnold who wrote the state grant which established the first treatment court in the 28th Judicial Circuit, it was a 50 page paper by David Heumader which served as the blueprint for the court in the circuit's four counties.
"In this circuit we call it Recovery Court and it began in July, 2001," said Heumader.
Prior to graduation, participants are asked to evaluate the program. One from Cedar County wrote, "Why do you people call it drug court? We're here for recovery." Those words led Heumader and then Circuit Court Judge James Bickel to adopte the name, Recovery Court.
Said Heumader, "Recovery Court is why I am still here. That is where my heart is."
The road to becoming Court Administrator for the 28th circuit began in St Joseph, Mo. where Heumader was born in 1953 and graduated from high school in 1971.
"I worked full time to put myself through college and so it took longer but when I graduated, I had no debt," said Heumader."
While in school at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Heumader met and courted Sue Ann Lorenz. They married on Jan. 3, 1975.
David graduated with a degree in accounting in 1977. Sue Ann obtained her elementary education degree in 1983 and her master's in 2002 from what is now Missouri State University, Springfield.
Sue Ann would work in special education and later was a speech teacher, with most of her time at Nevada R-5 schools. Sue Ann and David are the parents of a son, two daughters and delight in their two grandchildren.
While it sounds strange, when Heumader resigned from his job at a grocery store -- one he had had from high school through college -- and started as an accountant -- he took a significant cut in pay.
"From 1977 to 1980, I was responsible for the monthly audits of Buchanan County," said Heumader. "When another accounting firm had a lower bid, I lost my job."
Heumader's boss found another job for the young accountant, working as assistant controller for Cushing Memorial Hospital in Leavenworth, Kan.
"That introduced me to the world of healthcare accounting, something that would be a big part of my career," said Heumader. "It took me six months just to learn what all the acronyms mean."
In 1982, he became comptroller of the community hospital in Hiawatha, Kan. Managed by Kansas City's Research Hospital this was an introduction to the world of big hospital operations.
No sooner had he accepted the position, bought a house and moved his family when the hospital changed its mind and he was hunting for a new position.
Heumader began work as a controller, in Sept. 1984, at Nevada City Hospital.
While continuing as controller, in 1985, Heumader was promoted to assistant administrator, responsible for all non-clinical areas.
In March of 1987, the board dismissed the administrator and had Heumader direct the hospital on an interim basis and then, in July, voted him as administrator of Nevada City Hospital.
Heumader focused on two things, the first of which was building the present Moore-Few Care Center.
"But the thing I poured myself into was being out in the community, building good community relations with every group I could find," Heumader said.
"You can have the best building, great finances, the best staff and services in the area, but if people don't trust you, they'll go to Fort Scott or all the way to Joplin or Kansas City. Trust is everything," said Heumader.
While things went well, the amount of stress led Heumader to take the job of chief financial officer for McCune-Brooks Hospital, Carthage, while maintaining his home in Nevada.
In the fall of 1997, heart problems led to an emergency helicopter ride and advise to find a job with less stress. On June 1, 1998 Heumader began as Court Administrator, 28th Judicial Circuit.
Heumader is one of just over 1,000 individuals who have earned the highest professional degree in the field, Fellow of the Institute for Court Management.
"My 50 page dissertation became the outline and handbook for our recovery court," said Heumader. "I defended it and received my degree in May 2001, and working with Judge Bickel, we began our first recovery court session in July of that year."
It was Judge David Darnold who obtained approval from the state for establishing a treatment court. However, Bickel won the November 2000 election and so it was Bickel and Heumader who got things off the ground.
While Dade County only has adult drug court, Barton, Cedar and Vernon Counties have a court, which blends adults convicted of drug and DWI offenses. More recently, Judge Neal Quitno began Mental Health Court, which is only in Vernon County.
Few people would want to endure the scrutiny given to those in recovery court.
Commented Heumader. "You have to admit guilt, confess all you did, agree to be watched by someone we hire, submit immediate urine samples when we demand them and regularly stand before a judge while about a dozen professionals ask you all sorts of questions which get in your head."
Participants "graduate" when everyone involved agrees the person is ready which takes from 18-24 months with the longest being 4.5 years.
"While sanctions help keep folks in treatment, true success only comes from the person wanting it," said Heumader. "But in Vernon County, we've had almost 100 graduates while the whole circuit's had over 200, all with a very low recidivism rate."
Heumader, who interviews each program participant, finds his work with recovery court very rewarding.
"If I was crass, I would point out how our graduates are not costing taxpayers $25,000 a year to keep locked up," said Heumader. "But I've been invited to weddings and received birth announcements and have the satisfaction of watching criminals turn into tax payers, good spouses and parents."
Planning to serve about three more years, Heumader said, "For me, it's not a job. Most days I hit the ground running."
And with that, Heumader sent off a 55-page grant application to fund next year's recovery court.