CIL

NCIL hosting training for Campaign Training for People with Disabilities

By Mandy Smith | June 26, 2019

Follow the link to Time Magazine’s article- People With Disabilities Face Challenges Campaigning for Office. This Group Wants to Change That.  This article discusses how the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is hosting webinars to help people with disabilities became strong leaders and enter politics.    

Read Article

Employment Skills Class

By Adam | May 14, 2018

Are you interested in seeking employment, but not sure where to start? Join us May 24th for a free employment skills class!  In the morning session we’ll learn about resumes, job searches, and the interview process.  In the afternoon speakers from Vocational Rehabilitation, Kansas WORKS, and a Benefits Specialist will give brief presentations of their…

Read Article

SILCK Annual Report

By Mandy Smith | April 3, 2018

Check out State Independent Living Council of Kansas’ annual report below. SILCK Annual Report (PDF) SILCK Annual Report (text only) For questions or more information contact Kathy Cooper (785) 234-6990 or Kathy.cooper@silck.org

Read Article

Nothing About Us Without Us!

By Mandy Smith | October 12, 2015

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) and the Centers for Independent Living in Kansas are holding stakeholder forums in 5 cities across Kansas to gain information on goals and issues regarding Independent Living for Kansans with disabilities.  The SILCK and the CILs plan to use this “grassroots” input to help write the next…

Read Article

Consumers are encouraged to provide feedback on the HCBS Waiver Renewals

By Mandy Smith | November 20, 2014

The Kansas Department on Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is preparing to submit the paperwork necessary to renew the waivers that guide HCBS in Kansas.  The draft includes changes to the existing services.  Consumers are encouraged to read the information that KDADS is going to submit to the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid and provide feedback.  The…

Read Article

“I’d have to be in a facility… without them”

By Mandy Smith | May 25, 2012

Due to home and community based services, Ross is able to live at his own home. Watch this video as he tells his own story.

Read Article

Heidi’s Story

By Mandy Smith | May 3, 2012

    Please watch the video to find out about Heidi’s story.  Being at home is important and so are home and community based services!

Read Article

Elise’s Story

By Mandy Smith | April 25, 2012

Please ready Elise’s story of independence through using home and community based services. My name is Elise, I suffer from Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Spinal stenosis, Bile duct reconstruction, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and anxiety.  I also just had open heart surgery. I live with my husband Bill Fears who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. I…

Read Article

Call to Action: Contact Senate Ways and Means Committee

By Mandy Smith | February 28, 2012

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…

Read Article

Sharon’s Story

By Mandy Smith | February 13, 2012

“The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadow of life, the sick, the needy, and the disabled.” – Hubert H. Humphrey Reflect on those words for a…

Read Article

Update: What About the Waiting List?

By Mandy Smith | February 8, 2012

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…

Read Article

Legislative Session Begins

By Mandy Smith | January 9, 2012

  Today at 2:00pm the Kansas House and Senate will convene to start the 2012 Legislative Session. This promises to be one of the busiest, and maybe toughest sessions in recent years. All eyes are on the Senate as it is an election year for them and the coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats that…

Read Article

2012 Legislative Session

By Mandy Smith | December 28, 2011

  With the new year comes a new Legislative session in Kansas. The 2012 Session starts on Monday January 9th at 2:00pm and promises to be a busy one. The disability community will be closely watching as the Administration and the Legislature take on huge items including an expected Executive Order re-organizing SRS, the Medicaid…

Read Article

Home and Community Based Services in Kansas

By Mandy Smith | December 12, 2011

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) became an integral part of the lives of Kansans with disabilities and those who are elderly though legislation passed in 1989 (KSA 39-7, 100). This legislation provided Kansans who wanted to have choice and remain independent with the ability to receive long-term care services in their own home and…

Read Article

Are You Ready to File Your Taxes?

By Beth | December 10, 2011

  Starting January 1, 2012 everyone will be busy filing their 2011 Income taxes, Homestead tax refund, and/or Food Sales tax refund. The deadline to file is April 17, 2012.  Independent Living Specialists (ILS) at RCIL will be available to teach consumers that are interested to learn how to file their Homestead tax refund and…

Read Article

What’s at Stake

By Mandy Smith | December 7, 2011

  I talk to people a lot about the proud history of the disability community in Kansas. The progress that was made in the state by dedicated advocates placed Kansas in the forefront on disability rights. We have constructed a system that, while not perfect, works to empower Kansans with disabilities, helps them acquire gainful…

Read Article

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…

Read Article

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.…

Read Article

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…

Read Article

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…

Read Article

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…

Read Article

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…

Read Article

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…

Read Article

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…

Read Article

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…

Read Article