Blog

Executive Director’s Message

By Mandy Smith | December 2, 2011

The Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. (RCIL) is proud to announce that it was recently added to the state-approved list of Financial Management Services (FMS) providers. FMS is a restructured service developed by the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA) and the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) to change the way payroll…

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Safe Winter Heating

By Mandy Smith | November 28, 2011

  Temperatures are dropping as winter creeps closer so I thought a timely topic would be home heating safety. The rising cost of gas has left many people using other methods of heating their homes. Fireplaces, wood burning stoves, gas or electric space-heaters are among the most popular alternatives to furnace heating. Each of these…

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The Olmstead Decision

By Mandy Smith | November 25, 2011

  Twelve years ago, the United States Supreme Court rejected the state of Georgia’s appeal to enforce institutionalization of individuals with disabilities and affirmed the right of individuals with disabilities to live in their community in its 6-3 ruling against the state of Georgia in the case Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W. The Olmstead Decision…

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We’re Thankful!

By Mandy Smith | November 23, 2011

    Tomorrow is wonderful Turkey Day! YUM! Thanksgiving is a great time to rejoice in small victories and be thankful for small things that enter our lives. RCIL would like to share with you what some of our staff members are thankful for! Chad Wilkins, Executive Director – “I’m thankful for all my fellow…

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I Am a Case Manager

By Mandy Smith | November 21, 2011

  I am a Case Manager, yet I do not manage cases, I work with people. My job is to visit people in their homes who have physical disabilities and complete an assessment to determine if they are eligible for a Medicaid program that provides long term care services to them in their own homes.…

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Assistive Technology for Kansans

By Mandy Smith | November 18, 2011

  The Resource Center for Independent Living also houses the North East Kansas access site for Assistive Technology for Kansans(ATK) and the Kansas Equipment Exchange(KEE). Both of these programs help people with disabilities obtain needed assistive technology(AT) and medical equipment. Assistive technology is a device or service that is used to increase the level of…

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Living Independently & On a Budget

By Mandy Smith | November 16, 2011

I solicited ideas for this blog post from our followers on Twitter and Facebook. Thanks to @Wayne2poles for the topic regarding how people with disabilities can live alone and can afford it. Being gainfully employed is the best way to be able to afford to live independently. Not only does it allow you to bring…

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Community Integration

By Mandy Smith | November 14, 2011

  Community integration ensures that people with disabilities have the supports and services they need to live in their own homes in their communities. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) champion community integration and understand that when a community is truly integrated it then becomes the best possible community for all of its inhabitants. Sometimes we…

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Thank You

By Mandy Smith | November 11, 2011

The Resource Center for Independent Living wishes to extend our deepest respect and gratitude to those who have served and those who currently serve in our Nation’s military and their loved ones. Veterans Day is a time to celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and their selflessness in serving and sacrificing for the…

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Managed Care Coming to Medicaid

By Mandy Smith | November 10, 2011

Yesterday Gov. Sam Brownback and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer unveiled sweeping changes to the Kansas Medicaid program. These changes were a part of the Governor’s “Roadmap” and took on one of the three big areas he wanted to tackle along with KPERS and Education. Beginning in January of 2013 all Medicaid recipients will be under…

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Tis the Season

By Mandy Smith | November 7, 2011

  As the winter Holidays approach, the natural charity and good will within all of us seems to increase. This year as you contemplate how to spend this, please keep the Resource Center for Independent Living in mind. We consist of and work with Kansans with disabilities, of all ages. Some ways in which you…

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Advocacy Action: Town Hall Meetings

By Mandy Smith | November 4, 2011

The Big Tent Coalition and Kansans for Quality Communities are teaming up to bring Town Hall meetings to towns across Kansas. The purpose is to “discuss the impact of continuing budget cuts on vital state services and the ramifications of eliminating the Kansas income tax.” The Resource Center for Independent Living is working to ensure…

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Changes

By Mandy Smith | November 2, 2011

As we edge closer to winter, the leaves are changing and falling, the air is cooler, and the days are shorter. These are expected changes we prepare for each year. This year, Kansans with disabilities are experiencing many other changes. There is a new administration in Kansas state government and in SRS, over the last…

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Happy Halloween!!

By Mandy Smith | October 31, 2011

The Resource Center for Independent Living would like to wish all of you a happy and safe Halloween. Across the country emergency preparedness organizations within local governments and other agencies have embraced the possibility of a Zombie Apocalypse as a fun way to get folks to tune into the necessity of being ready to face…

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Kansans United

By Mandy Smith | September 19, 2011

  Last Friday a new advocacy group named Kansans United in Voice and Spirit held their first rally at the Statehouse. The turnout was good as far as such things go with a little over 250 people present on a cold and damp day. The group’s website states that they are “Concerned citizens of Kansas…

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Low Vision Fair Coming Soon!

By Mandy Smith | September 16, 2011

Do you have questions about low vision? Have you noticed you don’t see like you used to? Have you been diagnosed with low vision and want to see what’s out there to help? Come to our low vision fair to hear Dr. David Nelson explain low vision and low vision exams, find out what assistive…

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Letters to the Editor Campaign

By Mandy Smith | September 14, 2011

The Resource Center for Independent Living is partnering with Centers for Independent Living(CILs) all across Kansas in a Letters to the Editor campaign coordinated by the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas(SILCK). I have drafted 9 sample letters for advocates and consumers to use as inspiration for their own letters covering a range of topics.…

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Home & Community Based Services Rally

By Mandy Smith | September 12, 2011

Saturday Sept. 10th dozens of advocates gathered at the Statehouse in support of Home and Community Based Services, independent living in Kansas for people with disabilities, and (although it was unplanned) Consumer Run Organizations(CROs) for people with mental illness. The Topeka Independent Living Resource Center and Kansas ADAPT sponsored and held the rally with speakers…

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Remembering Coach Hultgren: Mentor Legacy

By Mandy Smith | August 26, 2011

Life of one we love is never lost.  Its influence goes on through all the lives it ever touched. Peer Counseling is a core service for every Center for Independent Living.  A part of Peer Counseling is mentorship.  Mentors play a big role in shaping our lives.  I’ve been blessed to have many teachers, coaches,…

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Memories of Coach

By Mandy Smith | August 26, 2011

  These are some of my Mr. Hultgren (Coach) memories.  “The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” – Albert Schweitzer  When Coach was videographer at my wedding, I listed his name as “Coach.”  When this was questioned, I gave it much…

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Upcoming Advocacy Rally

By Mandy Smith | August 24, 2011

  On Saturday, September 10th Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC) and Kansas ADAPT are teaming up to host a rally on the steps of the Statehouse from 1:00pm-2:30pm. The Rally is in support for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services. These services are imperative for Kansans with disabilities to remain in their homes and…

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2011 Kansas Disability Caucus Highlights

By Mandy Smith | August 16, 2011

Last week, members of the disability community from across the state came together in Topeka for the Kansas Disability Caucus.  This year’s theme was “Fan the Flame” to get everyone pumped up and excited to accomplish what needs to be done in the next couple of years. Mark Derry, from West Virginia, started the Caucus…

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Doing More: RCIL and FMS

By Mandy Smith | August 2, 2011

There are lots of changes taking place within our state and Home and Community Based Services are not immune. One of the major areas of change is Payroll Services. RCIL is a current Payroll provider for HCBS Waivers; on November 1st, those Payroll services will become Financial Management Services (FMS) and RCIL is ready to…

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More About AgrAbility

By Mandy Smith | July 29, 2011

The following information is from the National AgrAbility Project. If  you would like to look through some of the AgrAbility resources, you may visit the RCIL Resource Library in Osage City or visit the AgrAbility Project website at www.agrability.org. In November, we shared a little information with you about a program sponsored by the U.S.…

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Olmstead Anniversary Celebration – You’re Invited!

By Mandy Smith | June 15, 2011

The Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL), which RCIL is a member of,  is celebrating the 12th Anniversary of the Olmstead Supreme Court decision Wednesday, June 22 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Twelve years ago, the United States Supreme Court rejected the state of Georgia’s…

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