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Advocacy: Call to Action!
Posted On: March 27, 2012
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: advocacy, Centers, Centers for Independent living, CILs, Disability, HCBS, home and community based services, Independent Living, Legislature, medicaid
The House & Senate conference committee for the FY 2013 budget have held four rounds of negotiations thus far. Next round is scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon.
Senate negotiators (Carolyn McGinn, John Vratil & Laura Kelly) have held firm on two items that are crucial to the disability community. Please take a moment and email them our thanks and encouragement for their continued support.
The 2 issues at stake currently are:
- Add $1.2M (All Funds) to the Home and Community Based Services/Physically Disabled waiver to fund an additional 60 individuals to meet maintenance of effort requirements for the Affordable Care Act.
- Add $350,000 (State General Funds) for grant funding of Centers for Independent Living
House negotiators (Marc Rhoades, Kasha Kelley, & Bill Feuerborn) do not appear willing to fund either of these items. Please take a moment and email each of these folks. You can use the KACIL Legislative Handout for talking points.
We need to make sure they understand:
- The importance of HCBS in maintaining dignity and independence, as well as it being a fiscally sound service delivery method.
- The vital role that Centers for Independent Living serve in the Kansas disability community.
- The toll that budget cuts have taken already on CILs and HCBS. (For example, downsizing staff and programs, waiting lists)
We Need Your Story!
Posted On: March 8, 2012
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: advocacy, brownback, Centers for Independent living, HCBS, Independent Living, Kansas, Legislature, medicaid, RCIL, Resource Center
The Legislative Session has passed the halfway mark and our advocacy efforts are ramping up. There are so many big concerns for the disability community this time around and it is imperative that we get input to the Administration, the Legislators, and to our communities from Kansans with disabilities.
The Resource Center for Independent Living, is working to get as many consumer stories, pictures, and videos as possible. We are trying to find innovative ways to make a visible stand for the needs of the disability community.
Yesterday, we released a video regarding allegations from members of the Legislature that Centers for Independent Living are full of fraud. We know that isn’t the case so we wanted to create a way to simply share a powerful message, Centers for Independent Living are not Fraud. Check it out if you haven’t seen it. So, what can you do?
If you are a member of the Kansas disability community, this includes families and loved ones of persons with a disability and those who work or advocate within this community, we need to hear from you! There are a couple of different ways to share your story.
- Submit a digital photo of yourself holding the “I’m Not Fraud” sign – You must print off the sign and the Photo Release form we need to use your photo. Take the picture, fill out the form, and scan/email it to Summer Ludwig.
- Have someone video a short, 2-3 minute clip of your story and upload it to YouTube and send us the link or send us the video and the Photo Release and we can upload it to our page.
- Contact your local RCIL office or email Summer Ludwig and let us know that you would like our assistance in getting either your photo, video or both! We will have someone come to you.
If you decide to make a video the following are some ideas of questions to have someone ask you and you answer or topics you can just talk about. These are just suggestions, you can use them or not use them, the important thing is getting YOUR voice to the Administration and the Legislators.
Script ideas/questions for people on the Waiting List
- How long have you been waiting?
- Please describe your disability/situation.
- How is your life impacted by not receiving services?
- What types of assistance do you need?
- You are eligible to enter a NF, is that an option for you? Why/Why not?
- What would you like to say to your Legislators?
Script ideas/questions for people receiving services
- Please describe your disability/situation.
- What type of assistance do you receive in your home?
- What would your life be like without these services?
- Have you used CIL services other than HCBS? If so, how did this help you?
- What would you like to say to your Legislators?
For other ways to Advocate make sure you check out our Advocacy page.
We Are Not Fraud!
Posted On: March 7, 2012
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: Center for Independent Living, Disability, equality, fraud, HCBS, Kansas Legislature, medicaid
The House Social Services Budget Committee’s report on SRS and KDOA budgets stated “…there is considerable fraud and abuse in the system of Home and Community Based Services.” It goes on to state that this fraud, by Centers for Independent Living, is responsible for the Waiting Lists.
These statements seek to villify the Centers and the people who are working so hard for the disability community in Kansas. WE are the ones forced to tell people that although they are eligible for services there is an over-3-year-long waiting list. WE work with Kansans with disabilities on a daily basis struggling to change the misconceptions, provide education to the Legislature, and advocate for needed services to save the lives of Kansans.
SRS’ own testimony, audits, and cost studies show that Centers for Independent Living are good stewards of state money, there is not “considerable fraud and abuse”. It is time that we push back against an Administration and some members of this Legislature who continue to ignore facts and data and deny their own responsibility for the tragic situations that Kansans with disabilities are forced into now.
We are a Center for Independent Living, we are Kansans with disabilities, we are advocates, WE ARE NOT FRAUD!
Call To Action: Contact House Appropriations Committee
Posted On: February 28, 2012
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: Budget, Centers for Independent living, FMS, HCBS, Independent Living
From now through March 6th, we need the disability community to contact each member of the House Appropriations Committee. A complete list of names and contact information is available here.
They will begin debating the budget on March 6th. As they are working on budget issues we need to make sure they know the importance of funding the Home and Community Based services Physically Disabled waiting list and to restore the Financial Management Services(FMS) rate back to $140.
Shannon Jones assembled the following handouts to use in making your contacts with the Legislators.
Some of the talking points for funding the waiting list are:
- As of February 1, 2012 there are 3,433 persons waiting for HCBS/PD services.
- 30 persons died while waiting during the month of Jan. 2012
- 10 persons entered a nursing facility during the month of Jan. 2012.
- The last person offered PD Services had been waiting for 3 years!
- Since 2010, 1,200 persons have come off of the PD Waiver, yet no one is coming off the waiting list.
- Approximately $33 million (State funds) would fund HCBS waiver services for those waiting.
Some of the talking points for increasing the FMS rate are:
- Last fall, Providers were notified of the $115 reduced rate with no justification and no opportunity for discussion.
- Providers are asking for a fair rate for services delivered.
- CILs anticipate additional layoffs associated with the FMS, which will amount to roughly a 25% reduction in agency staffing, the majority of which are people with disabilities.
Once you have made contact with each Legislator on the House Social Services Budget Committee, please email me any responses that you receive so we can track and amend our message as needed.
Call to Action: Contact Senate Ways and Means Committee
Posted On:
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: Center for Independent Living, CIL, HCBS, Independent Living, Legislature, medicaid
It is imperative that the disability community contacts each member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. A complete list of names and contact information is available here.
They will begin debating the budget in sub-committees on March 8th. As they are working on budget issues we need to make sure they know the importance of funding the Home and Community Based services Physically Disabled waiting list and to restore the Financial Management Services(FMS) rate back to $140.
Shannon Jones assembled the following handouts to use in making your contacts with the Legislators.
Some of the talking points for funding the waiting list are:
- As of February 1, 2012 there are 3,433 persons waiting for HCBS/PD services.
- 30 persons died while waiting during the month of Jan. 2012
- 10 persons entered a nursing facility during the month of Jan. 2012.
- The last person offered PD Services had been waiting for 3 years!
- Since 2010, 1,200 persons have come off of the PD Waiver, yet no one is coming off the waiting list.
- Approximately $33 million (State funds) would fund HCBS waiver services for those waiting.
Some of the talking points for increasing the FMS rate are:
- Last fall, Providers were notified of the $115 reduced rate with no justification and no opportunity for discussion.
- Providers are asking for a fair rate for services delivered.
- CILs anticipate additional layoffs associated with the FMS, which will amount to roughly a 25% reduction in agency staffing, the majority of which are people with disabilities.
Once you have made contact with each Legislator on the House Social Services Budget Committee, please email me any responses that you receive so we can track and amend our message as needed.
Call to Action: Contact Social Services Budget Committee
Posted On: February 14, 2012
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: Budget, Disability, EVV, FMS, HCBS, house, Independent Living, medicaid, waiting list
From now through Thursday February 16th, we need the disability community to contact each member of the House Social Services Budget Committee. A complete list of names and contact information is available here.
As they are working on budget issues we need to make sure they know the importance of funding the Home and Community Based services Physically Disabled waiting list and to restore the Financial Management Services(FMS) rate back to $140.
For a great write up on these issues please check out KHI’s story about the hardships facing Centers for Independent Living and the disability community in Kansas.
Shannon Jones assembled the following handouts to use in making your contacts with the Legislators.
Some of the talking points for funding the waiting list are:
- As of February 1, 2012 there are 3,433 persons waiting for HCBS/PD services.
- 30 persons died while waiting during the month of Jan. 2012
- 10 persons entered a nursing facility during the month of Jan. 2012.
- The last person offered PD Services had been waiting for 3 years!
- Since 2010, 1,200 persons have come off of the PD Waiver, yet no one is coming off the waiting list.
- Approximately $33 million (State funds) would fund HCBS waiver services for those waiting.
Some of the talking points for increasing the FMS rate are:
- Last fall, Providers were notified of the $115 reduced rate with no justification and no opportunity for discussion.
- Providers are asking for a fair rate for services delivered.
- CILs anticipate additional layoffs associated with the FMS, which will amount to roughly a 25% reduction in agency staffing, the majority of which are people with disabilities.
Once you have made contact with each Legislator on the House Social Services Budget Committee, please email me any responses that you receive so we can track and amend our message as needed.
Kansans Count: We Demand Democracy
Posted On:
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: aclu, brownback, democracy, Disability, Kansans United, kobach, voter suppression
Dear Friends & Fellow Kansans:
In two days, on Wednesday, Feb 15th, we are going to the Kansas Statehouse to deliver the message that KANSANS COUNT: We Demand Democracy.
Among the many issues of concern is Voter Suppression. Many of you, along with advocacy groups, and the ACLU have expressed concern about the adverse effects of the new Kansas voter ID law. This law has the serious potential to disenfranchise a significant number of otherwise eligible voters, with a disproportionate impact on the poor, individuals with lower education levels, immigrants, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Voting is not a privilege, it is a right. To vote, to have YOUR VOICE, is fundamental to a democracy, and it must be protected if we are intent on maintaining our democracy.
Please review the this information provided by the ACLU which highlights the types of photo ID problems that concern them at this time.
Crystal McComas & Tamara Werth
Kansans United in Voice & Spirit
*This post is from Kansans United in Voice and Spirit
Voter Disenfranchisement
Posted On: February 9, 2012
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: aclu, voter rights, voting
This request for information is from the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri. They are working to protect our right to vote freely. Data shows that people with disabilities, people living in poverty, and minorities are kept from voting when laws such as the ones Kansas has passed are applied. Please review this information and contact the ACLU if the criteria applies to you.
DON’T BE FOOLED – YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO PAY A DIME TO VOTE!
Starting this year, Kansas voters need to have photo ID in order to vote. The list of accepted IDs includes: driver’s licenses, state ID cards, concealed carry handgun licenses, U.S. passports, employee IDs, military IDs, Kansas postsecondary student IDs, and welfare ID cards. If you or someone you know is struggling to get an accepted form of photo ID, please call us at 816-994-3315, especially if:
- You were born in a state other than Kansas, lack all of the above IDs, and do not have a certified copy of your birth certificate. If so, you’ll have to spend money to vote and that’s unfair and unconstitutional.
- You lack all of the above IDs and are being forced to spend money on a marriage certificate or other document in order to obtain a Kansas ID card.
- You lack all of the above IDs, but have a tribal ID.
Update: What About the Waiting List?
Posted On: February 8, 2012
Categorized: Advocacy
Tagged: advocacy, brownback, CIL, consumer opportunity, Deinstitutionalization, Disability, empowerment, equality, HCBS, Independent Living, medicaid, SRS
On February 1, 2012 disability advocates across the state began a concerted effort to contact the Governor’s office and SRS regarding the Waiting Lists for Home and Community Based Services. The Governor’s office and the SRS administration responded less than satisfactorily advising (after several off the wall suggestions) that the Waiting Lists for Home and Community Based Services would be funded through savings “over time” that Medicaid would realize once Managed Care was in effect.
It is important that Governor Brownback hears from the disability community and our supporters and understands that their lack of a concrete plan to address the waiting lists is not acceptable. According to SRS, as of January 1, 2012 there are 3,369 persons waiting for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Physically Disabled (PD) services. 15 persons died while waiting during the month of Dec, 2011. The last person offered PD Services had been waiting for 2 years and 9 months!
These are Kansans age 16-64 who could, at any time, receive care in a nursing home at a much higher cost to the state. Meanwhile, the state’s ending balance continues to rise. Please contact Governor Brownback today and ask him what his plan is to ensure that the lives of Kansans are given the respect and dignity they deserve. Click here for a sample letter.
Despite having a large balance in the State budget and projecting an over $400 million balance next fiscal year, the Governor has not addressed those Kansans with disabilities waiting on the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Physically Disabled (PD) waiting list. There is no mention in either the proposed budget or in the RFP for the Managed Care contracts about addressing the waiting list.
While the administration and SRS officials remain inactive on this matter, our brothers and sisters continue to suffer and die without services. From today until Feb. 10th we are part of a statewide effort to contact the Governor’s office and the SRS office and ask them a simple question; ‘What’s the Governor’s office going to do about the ever expanding waiting list for home and community based services for the physically disabled?’ or “What is SRS’ plan to reduce the HCBS/PD waiting lists?’
Please join us in calling or emailing EVERY SINGLE DAY and asking this vital question. The contact information is as follows:
Contact for Governor: governor@ks.gov or toll free: 877-579-6757 or 785-296-3232
Contact for SRS: Jeff.Kahrs@srs.ks.gov or 785-296-3271
If you get feedback please post it in our comments section.