HCBS

Interviews to help with HCBS outcomes

By Mandy Smith | February 15, 2022

Rehabilitation and Research Training Center on HCBS Outcome Measurement along with the Institute of Community Integration from the University of Minnesota are looking for research participants for interviews.They are testing measures to improve person-centered Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) outcomes for people with disabilities. Getting services at home or in the community is important for…

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RCIL is Here and Providing Services! No FMS/Payroll Interruptions are Expected

By Mandy Smith | March 26, 2020

Travel to Provide Essential HCBS  RCIL has received calls from concerned Direct Support Workers regarding the need for travel documents while they are working for their consumer during “stay at home” ordered periods. RCIL has received official direction from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services that Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are…

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Attention! Self-Directing Consumers Learn how to be a better employer!

By Beth | September 9, 2019

Please join us for an informative session on Self-Directing your Home and Community Based Services. Topics will include information on: How to Recruit, Select, Interview, Hire, Train, Supervise and Dismiss Direct Support Workers (DSWs) Understanding Enhanced Care Services (Sleep Cycle Support) KS AuthentiCare (the Electronic Visit Verification Call In System) Having a Backup Plan (of…

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HCBS Stakeholders Meetings

By Mandy Smith | September 7, 2018

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services also known as KDADS is seeking feedback from Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) stakeholders as they are planning waiver renewals.  KDADS will be hosting regional meetings along with two options to call in.  These forums are opportunities for KDADS to hear feedback on what you think…

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KACIL Receives Quality of Life Grant

By Mandy Smith | July 26, 2017

The Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL) is pleased to announce that it received one of seven national Quality of Life grants from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Funds will be used to transition people with paralysis living in nursing homes back into their homes or a community-based setting of their choice.…

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KDHE providing training for Medicaid waivers

By Mandy Smith | December 28, 2015

As part of the KanCare Waiver Integration Project, KDHE will be providing a one-hour training about Medicaid waivers. This training is a result of recommendations from the Waiver Integration Stakeholder Engagement (WISE) workgroup. The training is designed to help anyone who works in Medicaid-funded programs or receives Medicaid-funded services to understand: What “waiver” means in…

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KanCare HCBS Waiver Integration Information and Comment Tour

By Mandy Smith | October 29, 2015

KDADS is hosting a “KanCare HCBS Waiver Integration Information and Comment Tour” and are encouraging consumers and their families to attend.  All locations will feature meetings at 1:30pm-3:30pm for providers and 5:30pm-7:30pm for consumers and families. Topeka Tuesday, Nov. 10th Capitol Plaza Hotel 1717 SW Topeka Blvd Wichita Thursday, Nov. 12th Doubletree Wichita Airport 2098…

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Sign up for KDADS/HCBS updates

By Mandy Smith | October 6, 2015

Do you receive Home and Community Based Services and other KanCare benefits?  Would you like to hear about changes to HCBS directly from the State of Kansas by email?   Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has updated their email listserv in order to ensure all those who wish to receive email updates…

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KDHE, KDADS SCHEDULE PUBLIC FORUMS ON HCBS WAIVER INTEGRATION PROJECT

By Mandy Smith | August 11, 2015

  TOPEKA — Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Dr. Susan Mosier and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Kari Bruffett announced today a series of public forums to discuss integration of the state’s home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs. The forums are scheduled to be conducted in Topeka, Wichita,…

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Register now for the HCBS 2015 Educational Summit

By Mandy Smith | April 1, 2015

April 13th and 14th at the Capitol City Plaza, Topeka, KS KDADS is presenting a HCBS 2015 Educational Summit for HCBS consumers, family members, providers, and professionals.   The Educational Summit is a NO COST event that will give the public the opportunity to learn more about HCBS topics and programs.  Some of the topics of…

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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…

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HCBS Program Update Meetings

By Mandy Smith | November 5, 2014

KDADS will be hosting information sessions to provide you with program updates in response to the Federal rules shared with consumers at the last public information sessions. The program updates impact the following programs: Autism, Frail Elderly, Intellectual/Developmental Disability, Physically Disabled, Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), Traumatic Brain Injury, and Technology Assisted. The sessions will provide…

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Home & Community Based Services are changing

By Mandy Smith | July 31, 2014

For those of you who are receiving Home & Community Based Services, the State of Kansas will be holding meetings to inform consumers, families, advocates, and providers to inform all of  the new changes.  Below is a list of the meeting locations and times. Federal rules and necessary program changes will be made to the following programs:…

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Health Homes Consumer Tour

By Mandy Smith | February 12, 2014

The Health Homes Consumer Tour is coming to a city near you! Health Homes will start in Kansas July 1, 2014. If you have questions about Health Homes and what they mean for your health, these meetings are for you! The meetings are free and you will learn about Health Homes in Kansas. Are these…

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“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.

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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!

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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…

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Advocacy: Call to Action!

By Mandy Smith | March 27, 2012

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…

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How I Found My Independence

By Mandy Smith | March 14, 2012

Just like any other twenty-seven year old American woman I just want to live a happy, successful, and meaningful life. From the outside I look like a “normal” woman. When you look at my brown hair, brown eyes, and average height you will see a woman who looks pretty “normal”. What you won’t see is…

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A Day in the Life of RCIL Payroll

By Mandy Smith | March 12, 2012

              We have written a lot on this blog about the change to the Financial Management Services (FMS) change in Home and Community Based Services and the implementation of Kansas AuthentiCare. This change resulted in a massive overhaul of our Payroll Department and the staff members that work in…

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We Need Your Story!

By Mandy Smith | March 8, 2012

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,…

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We Are Not Fraud!

By Mandy Smith | March 7, 2012

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…

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Waiting for Help

By Mandy Smith | March 2, 2012

Today we share the story of Rebecca T. She has been on the Waiting List for Home and Community Based Services for almost 3 years. The following words are hers. Notice that Rebecca would need a minimal amount of supports to assist her in the activities that she is physically unable to do on her…

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Call To Action: Contact House Appropriations Committee

By Mandy Smith | February 28, 2012

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…

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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…

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