State/Local Issues Page: Information on news and resources for Topeka and the State of Kansas

HB 2673 would create a Medicaid provider assessment on nursing facilities in Kansas. Revenue from the assessment would be used to finance initiatives to maintain or improve the quality and quantity of care in Kansas in both nursing facilities and HCBS Waiver Programs. TILRC testified in favor of increasing the amount of revenue raised by the tax that goes to HCBS programs to 20%.

Update of the Kansas Act Against Discrimination (HB 2533 ) - This bill would amend the Kansas Act Against Discrimination (KAAD) in order to align the KAAD with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008. The ADAAA makes important changes to the definition of the term "disability" by rejecting the holdings in several Supreme Court decisions and portions of EEOC's ADA regulations. These changes make it easier for an individual seeking protection under the ADA to establish that he or she has a disability within the meaning of the ADA.

The Community Attendant Worker Act (SB 566) - This bill from the 2007/2008 Session asks for a study to be conducted that will provide annual reports to the legislature detailing the amount of funding needed to properly compensate attendants for work and mileage as well as how to provide attendants access to quality, affordable health insurance. (Although SB 566 do not pass this session, SRS plans to include the study called for in the legislation as part of a study on systems capacity building funded through the Systems Transformation Grant)

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Advocacy Organizations and Informational Resources

AARP Kansas is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service.

The Assistive Technology for Kansans Project has established an Interagency Equipment Loan System that contains a variety of devices that people in Kansas can borrow on a trial basis, before they purchase equipment for themselves. The Kansas Equipment Exchange offers reconditioned durable medical equipment (DME), such as wheelchairs and lifts, availabe for Kansans who meet the guidlines. ATK also maintains an Equipment Bulletin Board where consumers may search for a broader range of items that they wish to buy or post items they have for sale.

The Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas Inc. advances the interest of CMHCs and the individuals they serve. The primary goal of CMHCs is to provide quality care, treatment and rehabilitation to individuals with mental health problems in the least restrictive environment. The CMHCs provide services to all those needing it, regardless of economic level, age or type of illness.

The Kansas Audio-Reader Network is a reading and information service for blind, visually impaired, and print disabled individuals in Kansas and western Missouri. Services are offered free of charge to anyone in our listening area who is unable to read normal printed material.

The Big Tent Coalition is a coalition of social service providers in Kansas.

Community Supports and Services (CSS) manages a system of community based supports and services for persons with disabilities. Those supports and services, are delivered in partnerships with organized networks and funded through a variety of federal, state, local, and private sources. Community service providers reflect a variety of private not-for-profit and for-profit organizations as well as governmental entities.

KDHE Division of Health Care Finance (formerly Kansas Health Policy Authority) is the principal health care agency for the state of Kansas. DHCF serves as the single state Medicaid agency in Kansas and is responsibel for administering the medical portion of the Kansas Medicaid program, as well as the state Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, also known as "HealthWave"); MediKan, which provides coverage for certain low-income, disabled Kansans; the State Employee Health Program; and the State Self-Insurance Fund

Envision is a private, not-for-profit agency uniquely combining employment opportunities with rehabilitation services and public education. Our Mission To enhance the personal independence of individuals whose blindness or low vision, often accompanied by other disabilities, impacts their opportunities for employment, success, and integration into community life.

Kansas Donated Dental Services is a project initiated by the National Foundation for Dentistry for the Handicapped and the Kansas Dental Association. Its purpose is to provide free, comprehensive care for people who are permanently disabled, elderly and medically compromised who are unable to afford dental care. The Kansas dentists volunteering for DDS donate services in their own offices. Dental laboratories contribute services.

Families Together is the Parent Training and Information center serving Kansas families who include a son/daughter with disabilities. We train and inform parents and professionals, help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities, work to improve education results for all children, resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.

The Gallaudet University Regional Center at Johnson County Community College offers extension courses, training workshops and technical assistance to address the educational, transition, and professional development needs from birth through adulthood of deaf and hard of hearing people, their families and professionals who work with them.

Official website for the Governor of Kansas.

Kansas.gov is the official website for the State of Kansas.

Kansas Action Network, Inc. or KAN, is a broad based coalition for workers' rights, social justice and economic fairness seeking a common ground in the pursuit of a just society. We call upon our common values in order to educate, organize and mobilize on issues that will improve the working and living conditions for all men, women, and children in Kansas.

The Kansas Assistive Technology Co-Operative (KATCO) provides Kansans with disabilities and their families access to financial resources for acquiring assistive technology. Families on fixed incomes, or who have credit problems related to disabilities, may qualify for loans. KATCO offers assistance with a combination of education, savings and low interest borrowing.

The Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL), represents 12 Centers for Independent Living (CILs). Centers provide services to people with disabilities of all ages. Centers for Independent Living also provide assistance to businesses and all other entities in the community to assist them in offering services to people with disabilities. We advocate at a state and national level for the rights of all people with disabilities to live in the communities of their choice.

The Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved (KAMU) is the state Primary Care Association (PCA) and is charged with providing training, technical assistance to, and advocacy on behalf of, federally-funded Community Health Centers in Kansas. KAMU's Mission is to promote access to high quality, culturally sensitive, comprehensive, cost effective primary health care services for the medially underserved in the state, regardless of ability to pay.

The Kansas Attorney General's Office, promoting human dignity through justice with compassion and professional excellence.

The Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing advocates for and facilitates equal access to quality, coordinated and comprehensive services that enhance the quality of life for Kansans who are deaf and hard of hearing.

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) - On July 1, 2012, the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA) merged with programs from the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) and the Department Health and the Environment (KDHE) to become the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). All of the disability services programs that were formerly housed in SRS now operate out of KDADS. KDADS mission is to foster an environment which; promotes security, dignity and independence, while providing the right care at the right time in a place called home.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) optimizes the promotion and protection of the health of Kansans through efficient and effective public health programs and services and through preservation, protection and remediation.

The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation mission is to enhance Kansas communities with housing opportunities. This goal is achieved through using a variety of strategies and approaches, including increasing homeownership opportunities, leveraging the construction of more affordable rental housing, preserving existing housing through rehabilitation, promoting energy efficiency improvements for owner-occupied and rental housing, providing affordable housing through rent assistance to low-income families and senior citizens, and creating housing opportunities for previously underserved persons and communities.

The Kansas Human Rights Commission investigates complaints alleging discrimination and conducts public education programs designed to prevent discrimination.

The Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) empowers students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to assume responsible roles in society and to lead fulfilling lives. KSSB strives to establish partnerships with parents, school districts, and community resources to promote access to a high quality education for all Kansas students with visual impairments, regardless of where they attend school.

The Kansas State School for the Deaf provides a barrier-free communication environment which fosters early, fluent communication and on-going fluent communication as a means of broadening horizons and maximizing possibilities.

The Kansas Talking Book Service provides free home delivery of library resources designed to meet the cultural and recreational needs of Kansas citizens unable to use standard print because of a visual or physical impairment.

The Kansas Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program is designed to assess, plan, develop and provide VR services to eligible individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice. By providing services in this way, the VR program enables individuals with disabilities to prepare for and engage in gainful employment.

Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA) promotes and supports the development of youth with disabilities so they become empowered as community leaders through education, mentoring, and peer support.

The Kansas Youth Leadership Forum is a motivational five day forum in which a group of about 30-40 high school juniors and seniors, with various disabilities, come together to learn about leadership, advocacy, and goal setting. Through various small and large sessions, delegates are able to interact with, and learn from each other and successful adults with disabilities. Small sessions give delegates the opportunity to share experiences and explore personal leadership and career plans. Large sessions involve speakers in the community who address everything from resources to assistive technology, from disability history to adaptive recreation.

Keys for Networking, Inc. is a non-profit, 501©3 organization providing information, support, and training to families in Kansas whose children who have educational, emotional, and/or behavioral problems.

KSHousingSearch.org is a housing locator service, sponsored by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, which provides detailed information on affordable rental housing available throughout Kansas and allows people to locate housing that best fits their individual needs. The site can be accessed online 24 hours a day and is supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center at 1-877-428-8844, M-F, 9-8 EST.

Mission of Mercy program, sponsored by the Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation, is an annual event that provides free dental care to all patients on a first come-first served basis after first receiving a health screen prior to a dental assessment.

The Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas or SACK, is the statewide self-advocate group. SACK is made up of over 20 member local self-advocate groups from all over Kansas. What is a self-advocate group? A self-advocate group is a civic organization for adults with developmental disabilities. The purpose of self-advocate groups is to provide leadership experience, community involvement opportunities and to support the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community.

Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) is a free program offering Kansans an opportunity to talk with trained, community volunteers and get answers to questions about Medicare and other insurance issues.

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas develops a State Independent Living Plan through external input, which ensures independent living for Kansans, advocates for the accomplishment of the State Plan objectives, monitors, reviews, and evaluates the implementation of the plan and is a statewide catalyst for independent living.

Topeka Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advisory Council supports the civil rights of and full integration into Topeka community life for all people with disabilities by working toward providing full access to facilities, programs, services, activities and employment.

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Publications

The Cost of Untreated Mental Illness in Greater Kansas City, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, February 2012 - Approximately one in every 10 adults in the Greater Kansas City area has a serious mental illness (SMI).Without treatment, SMI can lead to unemployment, increased hospital and emergency room use, incarceration, suicide, and early death due to chronic medical conditions. An economic model was developed by The HSM Group, Ltd. to quantify the costs of untreated SMI among adults. (Cost of Untreated Mental Illness in Kansas Factsheet)

The Intersection between Budget Cuts to Services and Civil Rights of People with Disabilities under the “Olmstead” Decision, Presented to: The House Committee on Long Term Care and Aging, Provided by: Mike Oxford, Executive Director, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center, January 26, 2010 - This testimony presents a cogent argument regarding the necessity for systematic, comprehensive, long range planning to address the future long term care needs of our state that culminates in the development of an Olmstead Plan for the state of Kansas.

Going Home - Is a booklet about home and community based options to institutional care. It explains how TILRC can help you get the healthcare services and supports you need in your own home and community. (printable version in rtf format)

Legislative Procedure in Kansas, Kansas Legislative Research Department, November 2006

Testimony Presented to the House Committee on Appropriations in Support of and Requesting Consideration of Amendments to HB 2673, By Mike Oxford, TILRC Executive Director, March 9, 2010 - HB 2673 would create a Medicaid provider assessment on nursing facilities in Kansas. Revenue from the assessment would be used to finance initiatives to maintain or improve the quality and quantity of care in Kansas in both nursing facilities and HCBS Waiver Programs.

Testimony addressing House Bill 2656 before the House Committee on Long Term Care and Aging; Bob Bethell, Chair; Presented by Mike Oxford, Executive Director - HB 2656 would transfer all powers, duties and functions of the Adult Protective Services Program (APS) of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) to the Office of the Attorney General as of January 1, 2013.

Testimony to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, SRS Budget Sub-committee; Carolyn K. McGinn, Chair; Presented by Mike Oxford, Executive Director: March 09, 2012

STATE and LOCAL ISSUES

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