Enhanced Living Independently

RCIL Independent Living Specialist, Kayla, first met Angela in June when she was in a nursing facility in Topeka with the goal of returning to the community. She was 41 years old and had been living at the nursing home for the last 10 years. She is an individual with a brain injury and has become deaf. She voiced wishes to return home and RCIL was contacted to assist in providing support in this goal. Angela faced many barriers, had no direct family involvement and relied on a team of individuals including the Disability Rights Center, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, her managed care organization, and her mental health provider to ensure she would have everything she needed to furnish her apartment and set up all the services she would need to be successful in the community

Angela was able to return to the community in July with support through the Brain Injury wavier, her local mental health provider, and self-directed services through RCIL. Angela is now living in her own apartment, which she is very proud of and is doing well. In September, Kayla learned from the team working with her that she was at risk of losing her Medicaid due to missing the recertification period. Kayla was able to meet with Angela and help her with the Medicaid application and get it submitted before the end of the month.  Angela has voiced continued goals to get hearing aids or an implant to help her hear better and look at getting an assistive phone to help her be able to communicate better with others. Kayla will continue to provide support to ensure she won’t lose her benefits and so she can continue her journey of living independently.