Job Posting: Associate Director of InterHab

InterHab is now accepting applications for the open Associate Director Position.

To access/download the application announcement and instructions, please click here.

If you have any questions, please contact Christopher Gunn by clicking here.

Robert Perske 1928-2016

Sad news, as I/DD advocate and writer Robert Perske recently passed away. For most of his life, he used words to chronicle the best--and the worst--in life for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, it was his actions--as chaplain, administrator, and advocate--that carried farthest his timeless message of compassion and justice for the I/DD community.

The InterHab family is thankful for Bob's efforts and example. We will continue to follow them.

For more information about Bob's life and passing, visit the ACL Blog here.

Congratulating Sharon Spratt

InterHab staff congratulates Sharon Spratt, CEO of Cottonwood, Inc. and an important voice in the InterHab family, for being named to the Lawrence Business Hall of Fame!  

The award is in recognition of her "dedication to the Lawrence community" and for being "an inspiration to [Junior Achievement of Kansas] students."  A tribute dinner will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at the Kansas Union Ballroom on the KU campus in Lawrence.  For tickets, please contact Debbie Harman at (785) 841-8245.

Job Posting: Community Relations Manager

Mosaic, a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides a life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities, is now accepting applications for its next Community Relations Manager in Kansas City.

The Community Relations Manager, or CRM, is responsible for enhancing Mosaic's relationship to the Kansas City community, as well as developing its financial support through fundraising and marketing campaigns.  A minimally-qualified candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in marketing or related field, three years' minimum experience in a similar position, and previous experience with grant writing and volunteer management.

Please visit this website for more information, or to apply.

Job Posting: Executive Director

Sunflower Diversified Services is seeking a new Executive Director

Sunflower Diversified Services, Inc., the largest, most esteemed, and only nonprofit agency of its kind in Central Kansas, is now accepting applications for its next Executive Director.  It is also the only agency in its five-county region that offers programs for persons with developmental disabilities of all ages, from birth through retirement.

Sunflower Diversified Services represents a partnership amongst five Kansas counties--Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush, and Stafford--with a combined population of more than 50,000. Communities in its service area include the largest city of Great Bend with its population of 16,000, and 36 smaller cities and towns, as well as extensive rural, unincorporated areas.

The Executive Director is the chief administrative officer of the agency, subject to supervision by the Board, and responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of Sunflower Diversified Services. Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Implement the agency's strategic plan;
• Develops strategies for financial viability;
• Ensures agency efficiency regarding services provided and administration;
• Develops an annual budget;
• Serves as the agency's primary spokesperson to the media and general public;
• Oversees all marketing campaigns, including the use of local media;
• Participates in local organizations to promote the agency's public profile.

A minimally qualified candidate will have: (1) experience in a position with responsibility for budget management and direct employee supervision; (2) a Bachelors degree in liberal or business arts or related field from an accredited university; (3) evidence of a stable employment history and career advancement; (4) excellent communication skills; and (5) an unblemished record of professional integrity.

In addition, well-qualified candidate will have: (1) five years in a management position in a nonprofit community agency that serves people with developmental disabilities; (2) previous personal or professional relationships with persons with developmental disabilities; (3) experience with a nonprofit board of directors; (4) demonstrated skill and knowledge of nonprofit fund raising; and (5) record of community volunteerism.

Preferred candidates will also possess: (1) leadership qualities to build and sustain positive relationships; (2) competence to perform executive with excellence; (3) skills to adapt to socioeconomic and governmental changes; (4) the passion and commitment to serve and advocate for persons with developmental disabilities.

The base salary starts in the mid-$80,000 range; resume submissions should be received by August 5, 2016.

For more information, including a comprehensive job description and recruitment profile, please contact Marla Flentje at 316-250-1344, or by email at mflentje@austinpeters.com

Power Up! 2016 Pre-Conference

HCBS Settings Final Rule…You mean we might have to change?!?

How is your State’s implementation of the HCBS Settings Rule going?  Do you want to be involved but are not sure how? Or do you wish it would just go away?

This session will walk through one state’s process and experience in getting CMS final approval on their Statewide Transition Plan and what it means for people with disabilities and for providers in Tennessee.  Michelle Morse Jernigan, from Tennessee’s State Medicaid Agency (TennCare) will share how TennCare developed their transition plan processes, how they involved (and relied upon) stakeholders, how implementation is going, and the promise these changes hold to impact the lives of people served in Tennessee’s LTSS programs.  She will discuss experiences with persons served and their families, providers, and success story surprises.  This session will include a presentation from Michelle on the components of Tennessee’s approved transition plan, assessment processes and heightened scrutiny reviews as well as how the state engaged consumers, families, providers and advocates, and at least an hour for an interactive discussion. 

Visit the Power Up! 2016 website to register for the pre-conference and conference.

Power Up! 2016 - Registration is open!

Registration for Power Up! 2016--the Midwest's premier human services event--is now open!  Click here to register, to submit presentations, or to view a tentative schedule of events.

Also, don't forget to like InterHab and Power Up! on Facebook!

Job Posting: Targeted Case Manager

The Arc of Sedgwick County is now accepting applications for a Targeted Case Manager.

The Arc of Sedgwick County is a nonprofit organization that began in 1953 in a grassroots effort by parents concerned about services and future opportunities for their children and the families and children of tomorrow. Since then, it has has promoted their general welfare, fostered the development of programs on their behalf and increased the public’s awareness and acceptance.

The Targeted Case Manager will be responsible for ensuring that person served has the maximum independence and successful inclusion into the community living though medical, social, educational, and other needed services.

Qualified candidates will have a BA/BS in Human Services or related field and a minimum of six months experience working with people with developmental disabilities. Successful work experience in the related field to equal 1080 hours/semester may be substituted for an education.

For more information, or to apply, click here.

Member Job Posting: Executive Director

Sunflower Diversified Services, Inc.--a non-profit organization serving communities in central Kansas with services for children and adults with developmental disabilities--is seeking qualified candidates to be their next executive director.

Sunflower is a Great Bend-based nonprofit that provides education, residential, day, employment, case management, and other services for people of all ages, from birth through retirement.

Qualified candidates will, at minimum, possess: (1) experience in a position with responsibility for budget management and direct employee supervision; (2) a Bachelor's Degree in the liberal arts, business, or related field from an accredited university; (3) evidence of a stable employment history and career advancement; (4) excellent communication skills; and (5) an unblemished record of professional integrity.

Preferred candidates will possess: (1) five years in a management position in a nonprofit community agency that serves people with developmental disabilities; (2) previous personal or professional relationships with persons with developmental disabilities; (3) experience with a nonprofit board of directors; (4) demonstrated skill and knowledge of nonprofit fund raising; and (5) a record of community volunteerism.

The Board of Directors is committed to providing a base salary and benefits that are competitive with similar agencies in Kansas. The low end of the base salary range for this position is in the mid $80,000.  Support for communications technology, professional development, and association memberships may be negotiated as a part of total compensation.

Click here for more information:

InterHab Brings On New Staff

Christopher Gunn comes aboard to help InterHab and its members push forward towards a better future for the I/DD community.

Tim Wood, Executive Director, announced that Christopher Gunn has joined InterHab as General Counsel and Director of Communications.  In that role, he will oversee InterHab's legal prerogatives and public messaging.

Chris comes to InterHab from private practice, where he provided counsel on immigration, probate, and civil issues.  He is a graduate of the Washburn School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor and Certificate in Business and Transactional Law. Prior to law school, he taught high school English.

While not a native Kansan, Chris has proudly adopted Kansas as his home state.  He originally hails from North Dakota--as he says, "close enough to the Canadian border to appreciate a good hockey game."  

Outside of the office, Chris and his wife Annie spend most of their time trying to keep pace with their two children, ages 7 and 4, who never seem to tire.  When time permits, he can usually be found doing something musical, or chasing that great dream of every English teacher--writing a great American novel.

Through his professional life, Chris has dedicated himself to helping others bridge the gap between where they are in life and where they want to be.

If you would like to contact Chris, he can be reached by email at cgunn@interhab.org, or by phone at (785) 235-5103.

Miss Unstoppable winner to be featured in Miss Kansas parade

Rebecca Oare, 17, playing the violin in
the talent portion of the 2016 Miss
Unstoppable Pageant hosted by the
ARC of Sedgwick County

Last month, 26 contestants participated in interview, runway, talent, and evening gown categories and showed what it means to be Unstoppable.

The Miss Unstoppable pageant is a friendly competition for women and girls with intellectual/developmental disabilities, ages 6 and up that provides an opportunity to showcase poise and talents, learn self-confidence, develop social skills, network and have fun while they take the stage.

Rebecca Oare, 17, was crowned the overall winner and will be highlighted along with the Miss Kansas contestants in the 2016 Miss Kansas Parade on June 10.

KDADS and KDHE asking for feedback on KanCare

Kansas is preparing to renew the KanCare Medicaid program and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) need input and ideas about the renewal, and about potential changes that are being considered.

State staff will be hosting feedback sessions at locations across that state, where they will provide updates and information about KanCare. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback about the renewal process.

Each location will include a 1-3 p.m. session and a 5:30-7:30 p.m. session. The same information and opportunity for feedback will be shared at each session.

Tuesday, May 24

Topeka

Ramada Hotel & Convention Center

420 SE 6th Street

Wednesday, May 25

Wichita 

Marriott Wichita 

2100 Corporate Hills Drive

Kansas City

Jack Reardon Civic Center (Hilton Garden Inn)

520 Minnesota Avenue

Thursday, May 26

Hays 

Rose Garden

2350 East 8th

Pittsburg

Pittsburg State University

1701 South Broadway 

Area professionals recognized for their contributions to the community

Kansas professionals in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities are in the news this month for their outstanding support to the community.

Kathy Brennon of Tri-Valley Developmental Services was honored with the 2016 Community Service Award, presented by the Erie Chamber of Commerce.

Sharon Spratt of Cottonwood Inc., was inducted as a 2016 Lawrence Business Hall of Fame Laureate by Junior Achievement of Kansas for her dedication for the Lawrence community and for serving as an inspiration for Junior Achievement students.

Starkey CEO Colin McKenney was presented the Professional of the Year award by the Arc of Sedgwick County at their annual "Arc Awards" in Wichita.

Last week, Cary Odell from Johnson County Developmental Supports won ANCOR’s 2016 recognition award for the Direct Support Professional of the Year for the State of Kansas.

Kathy Brennon, Tri-Valley Developmental Supports, with her Community
Service Award from the Erie Chamber of Commerce. 

Cottonwood's Sharon Spratt will be inducted as a 2016 Lawrence
Business Hall of Fame Laureate by Junior Achievement of Kansas 

Starkey CEO Colin McKenney was presented the
Professional of the Year award by the Arc of Sedgwick County

Cary Odell, Johnson County Developmental Supports, won ANCOR’s
 2016 recognition award for the Direct Support Professional
of the Year for the State of Kansas

Member Job Posting: CDDO Director

Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  We focus on individuals’ abilities, provide choice driven supports, and advocate alongside people to live and work in our community.  JCDS is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Community Developmental Disabilities Organization (CDDO) Director.  Responsibilities include:

Maintain a provider network and CDDO service capacity; interpret and relay funding decisions to staff, affiliates and members of the public; collaborate with County departments and agencies to address regulatory or legal compliance matters; assess service capacity resource needs for CDDO affiliates.

Serve as a member of JCDS Senior Management Team; develop and manage the network strategic plan in providing leadership of the CDDO; collaborate on strategies to address current and future operational  issues including long-term and short-term strategic initiatives; assist in the County budget and planning processes.

Represent JCDS and Johnson County Government interests in local and statewide development and committee activities including annual contract negotiations with outside agencies (e.g., KDADS); participate in the Johnson County Transition Council and Community Coordination Team; provide testimony at hearings or special committee meetings locally or at the State.

Direct and lead Community Developmental Disabilities Organization (CDDO) operations in effectively addressing consumer, family, and affiliate service access issues and Quality Assurance matters; initiate and facilitate problem solving discussions and develop strategies that lead to actionable decisions; provide systemic leadership to Johnson County affiliate providers; serve as a liaison with local organizational staff and state officials concerning consumer crisis situations; review and submit crisis recommendations to the State.

Supervise CDDO staff: hire new employees, evaluate performance and provide feedback and coaching to staff; resolve employee relations issues; delegate assignments and monitor workload; make recommendations for formal corrective action.  

Job Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation, Business, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field is required.  Master’s degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation, Business, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field is preferred.

Five years of experience working in the IDD field or a related field is required.  Three years of strategic leadership experience in public administration or a human service agency is required.  Must have experience with and knowledge of regulations and funding options, preferably in Kansas.

Experience can substitute for education and education can substitute for experience.


Apply Here

KDHE could face cuts under Brownback's options

Gov. Brownback looks to KDHE cuts in response to
 budget shortfall. File photo by Orlin Wagner - AP 

One way Governor Sam Brownback is suggesting the state patch it's budget hole includes a $35 million cut to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

According to KHI News, the cut will likely force KDHE to reduce payments to the three managed care organizations that administer KanCare, the Medicaid program in Kansas. The companies likely would pass on those cuts in the form of lower reimbursements to health providers.

In addition to the KDHE cuts, Brownback would also take $185 million from the state highway fund, and cut spending to state universities by 3 percent, about $17 million, for the fiscal year beginning July 1. That would continue a 3 percent cut he ordered earlier this month.

Read more. 

Legislative Update: lawmakers preview Governor's budget recommendations

Gloom and criticism overcome the fading voices of false optimism; Medicaid provider rate cuts are on the table.

Tim Wood and Barb Conant of InterHab, attended this morning's Administration briefing of the joint legislative budget committees. The briefing was not warmly received by legislators.  Democrats were highly critical of the poor budget cutting choices being demanded by another round of lowered revenue expectations. Legislative GOP leaders were grim and seldom was heard an encouraging word (and yes, Governor, the skies are NOT sunny today).

In addition to picking on his recurring targets (universities, highways and pension funds) the Governor's people admitted today that yes, it is likely that Medicaid provider rates would be the only area to cut in the KanCare program.

The budget committees are meeting separately this afternoon and into tomorrow. More will be reported when more is known about how they intend to approach this mess.

All in all, things are getting darker in the Statehouse. One question remains as to whether the tiny candle of common sense will survive which has continued to shed a little glimmer of light on the glaring need for tax adjustments. But maybe even the bigger question is this:

Have Kansans in all walks of life finally had enough of the wrecking ball of State budget cuts?

For sure, these items can be reported to your community supporters:

Medicaid cuts will hurt providers, and will damage critically needed services for Kansans with disabilities. State legislators MUST do something to bring fiscal stability back to the State to assure that budget instability will be resolved and to protect Kansas citizens from program failures.

CMS releases FAQs

This week the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional Frequently Asked Questions on implementation activities associated with the home and community-based services final regulation.

Specifically, guidance is provided on how CMS will review requests to build new settings in categories that are presumed to be institutional in nature. The guidance also identifies the components of person-centered planning regulatory requirements that are in effect now and those that are part of the home and community-based settings transition period in effect through March 2019.

This information is part of an ongoing effort to assist states in meeting regulatory requirements for residential and non-residential home and community-based settings.

The full Home and community-based services (HCBS) toolkit, including the updated portions, is available online here. 

KHI Reports: KDADS interim secretary to lead bone marrow drive for Parsons employee

KHI News reported the following article about interim KDADS secretary Tim Keck.

KDADS interim secretary to lead bone marrow drive for Parsons employee
Agency leader has emphasized boosting staff morale at state hospitals
By Andy Marso | April 14, 2016

Since he took over as interim secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Tim Keck has emphasized improving morale at state hospitals by letting employees know they are appreciated and their concerns are heard.

Now Keck is backing up those words with action of a personal sort, encouraging KDADS employees to participate in a bone marrow drive on behalf of a co-worker in need of a transplant.

In a statement released Wednesday, Keck said he plans to be first in line next week when agency employees get their cheeks swabbed to determine whether they’re a match for Zach Williams, who has acute myeloid leukemia.

“Every KDADS employee understands the importance of helping Zach and his family in their time of need, especially facing an uncertain future,” Keck said. “It’s part of the mission of the agency — to foster an environment that promotes security, dignity and independence — and I will be the first donor in line.”

Photo by Courtesy Zach Williams, a mental health
 developmental disability technician at Parsons State Hospital and
Training Center, was diagnosed earlier this year with acute
myeloid leukemia. Co-workers are organizing a bone marrow drive
in hopes of finding a donor. Williams is pictured with his son Jaqwuan.

Williams is a mental health developmental disability technician at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, one of two state facilities for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Keck’s comments about employee morale primarily have been geared toward the state’s two facilities that serve Kansans with mental illnesses in Osawatomie and Larned and have struggled to recruit and retain staff.

Williams, a father of four, was diagnosed in February by doctors who told him he could expect to live only a few more months.

But physicians at a specialized cancer care center in Chicago had a more optimistic prognosis — if Williams can find a bone marrow donor who is at least a 50 percent match. None of the 22 million U.S. donors currently registered fit the criteria.

Williams is African-American, a demographic that is underrepresented on the registry.

“We need more African-American donors,” he said. “Even if someone doesn’t match me, they could save someone else.”

The bone marrow drive is being organized by Marlys Shomber-Jones, program manager at the Parsons hospital.

Shomber-Jones said there are 14,000 Americans awaiting a bone marrow match.

“Patients are most likely to match donors who share their ancestry, which means that a more diverse registry will raise the odds of matches for African-American patients like Zach who are in need of a life-saving transplant,” Shomber-Jones said. “Unfortunately, less than half of patients with ethnic backgrounds searching for a transplant will find one due to lack of diversity on the registry.”

KHI Article

Starkey receives Over the Years Award

Starkey, the oldest community-based nonprofit in Sedgwick County, was presented with the Over The Years Award by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce.

The award recognizes businesses and organizations that are good, longstanding corporate citizens and major contributors to the community’s economic well-being.

The award was presented to Colin McKenney, Chief Executive Officer, on April 7, at the Chamber’s annual Honors Night.

Local inventors in finals of national competition to help people with disabilities

Students from Gardner Edgerton High School  will soon go to the finals of the SourceAmerica Design Challenge, an annual national engineering competition in which high school students create technology that assists adults with disabilities in their workplaces.

The team designed a device called CAPS for Roy, a person served by Johnson County Developmental Supports, to help him with his job of packaging drywall screws and anchors.

Fox4 News reported that the invention has helped Roy increase his productivity by 40 percent and has given him increased independence.

Learn more.

Kathleen Sebelius visits Topeka YWCA - calls for Medicaid expansion

CHRIS NEAL/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL-Former Kansas Governor and
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, center, takes
photos with supporters after giving a speech Wednesday afternoon at the YWCA.

Kathleen Sebelius, former Kansas governor, calls for Medicaid expansion, lower food sales tax: Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius made a pitch Wednesday for expansion of Medicaid in Kansas, urged women to assume a more active role in politics and denounced escalation of a sales tax on food by the Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Sam Brownback. 

Kansas disability advocates seek support for federal bill

Photo by Megan Hart/KHI News Service
Advocates for Kansans with disabilities delivered letters Tuesday to the Topeka
office of Sen. Pat Roberts asking to co-sponsor Disability Integration Act

KHI News reported this week that a group of Kansas disability advocates is asking Senator Pat Roberts to co-sponsor Senate Bill 2427, called the Disability Integration Act.

Mike Oxford, director of the center, told KHI the bill would classify home and community-based services as a right for people who are elderly or have disabilities. Under current federal law, Medicaid includes a right to care in a nursing facility, but states can decide if they want to offer home services as an alternative and can restrict what services they offer, how much they pay and the number of hours, he said.

Read the KHI article to learn more about Senate Bill 2427 and how it can impact Kansas with disabilities.

What Kansans are doing to support Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month and people around the word are showing their support by wearing blue and lighting their porches with blue bulbs. Check out some of what people in Kansas and KCMO are doing to raise awareness and promote inclusion. Have a photo you want us to share? Comment or post on our facebook page! 

KC Lighting it Up Blue for Autism

KC goes blue for Autism Awareness Month 

Mosaic celebrates Autism Awareness Month 

The Arc's Circle of Friends 

People at Johnson County Developmental Supports chant "forever blue!" 

Hazel Hill Chocolate really "blue it" for World Autism Day

InterHab staff wore blue for World Autism Day 

Mosaic celebrates their "Blue Day" 

Restore Kansas rally shows impacts of budget cuts

The Wichita Eagle reported on and posted video from the Restore Kansas rally last week.

According to the article, Restore Kansas wants lawmakers to stop budget cuts and then restore funding to areas cut in recent years. The group formed in December when some guardians of Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities decided the state needed a group to pull together individuals and organizations that are negatively affected by budget cuts.

The group specifically wants funding restored for what it calls vulnerable Kansans: school-age children, people without access to health care, underemployed and working families, people with disabilities, seniors and people who need mental health services. One theme at the event was to urge Kansans to elect new lawmakers in November.

Watch Video. 

Thespians with Down syndrome challenge expectations

A theatre company involving adults with a range of learning disabilities have been performing Shakespeare at the Globe theatre. Channel 4 News posted the video below showing how the theatre company is challenging stereotypes of people with disabilities.

"I think people out there in the world should see that people are capable of doing Shakespeare even with a learning disability...because we both have Down syndrome," Lawrie Morris told Channel 4 News.

Although this theatre company is located in Winchester, England, the concept has a global significance. Actors with disabilities are the largest minority in the world, but are the most underrepresented in the entertainment industry. A fact this theatre company, and many other actors, actresses, models, comedians, and other entertainers hope to change.

Hundreds to Rally at State Capitol to Support Kansans with Disabilities

Hundreds of Kansans with disabilities, along with their families, their support staff and advocates, will rally at the Statehouse on March 23, to call for legislative priorities such as protecting funding for Medicaid and early childhood services, closer monitoring of KanCare, and requesting a freeze on plans to overhaul programs they rely on to continue living independently.

This year more than 600 people are expected to join InterHab, the state’s largest and oldest association of developmental disability service providers, at their annual Push Day event. The event will focus on empowering Kansans with disabilities to make their voices heard and remind legislators of the power of this large and active community of voters. The group will rally around the movement #myvotecounts to spread their message through the Statehouse and social media.

Although many have pre-registered for the event, all are welcome to come and show their support for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. InterHab encourages all those who attend to wear green to send a strong and unified message to state government.

Rally participants will start gathering at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday with the program of events starting off at 10:30. The event will conclude in the early afternoon with visits with legislators, and observing the proceedings in both legislative chambers.

Photos from previous InterHab Push Day events. 

Olivia WIlde stars in PSA for World Down Syndrome Day

Today, March 21st, is World Down Syndrome Day. Today is a day the whole world should be recognizing and celebrating people with Down Syndrome. A PSA staring actress Olivia Wilde released from CoorDown, an Italy's organization for people with Down syndrome, aims to change the way we look at people with Down syndrome.

The short video shows us how we should be seeing people for who they are, not for their disabilities.

“How Do You See Me,” features Olivia Wilde living her life, with narration by 19-year-old AnnaRose Rubright, a college student who has Down syndrome.

“This is how I see myself. I see myself as a daughter, a sister, and a best friend,” AnnaRose says. “As a person you can rely on. I see myself singing, dancing, and laughing until I cannot breathe. And also crying, sometimes. I see myself following my dreams, even if they are impossible. Especially because they’re impossible. I see myself as an ordinary person, with an important, meaningful, beautiful life.”

The last shot moves from a reflection of Olivia Wilde  to AnnaRose, who says, “This is how I see myself. How do you see me?”

According to CoorDown, AnnaRose is a nineteen year old from NJ. She's a full time college student who works part-time at a physical therapy center and enjoys basketball and swimming through the Special Olympics NJ. AnnaRose, as many people with Down syndrome, only wants to realize her potential and live a meaningful, beautiful life.

Watch the video below.

InterHab launches new training website

This week InterHab launched a new website dedicated to showing their library of employee training courses. The new on-demand training site is called InterAct E-Learning Hub and features a variety of courses, which can be accessed anywhere and at anytime.

Video content, games, quizzes, and discussion make InterAct truly an interactive choice for your organization's training needs. By using InterAct, you know your employees aren't just listening, they're learning. When students complete courses they are awarded a certificate of completion.

Check out some of the courses available at launch by visiting www.interactlearninghub.org

Courses will go LIVE next month!

InterHab welcomes new director in reception

After this week's Issues Forum and Board meeting, InterHab hosted a reception for the newest addition to their staff, Executive Director Tim Wood.

InterHab members, friends, and important members of the community gathered on the roof level of the Jayhawk tower to welcome Tim and his wife Janene to InterHab. Current Executive Director Tom Laing, along with members of the Executive Committee, spoke to the crowd about Tim's accomplishments and eagerness to rise to the challenge of leading InterHab starting later this year.

Many thanks to all who attended!

Rubin announces resignation

Rep. John Rubin announced his
resignation from the House today

State Representative John Rubin today announced his resignation from the House. Rubin was and remains a staunch conservative and a reasonable man who was a pleasure to work with for many of us disability advocates. Both those attributes are important in our world. Our support has come, historically, from both parties and from all various philosophical camps. In recent years the partisanship has made our non-partisan support more difficult to organize, and it has hurt.

Having one less friend in the House will hurt us as well.

John Rubin is one of those elected officials who moved easily from partisanship to principle, when it came to disability issues.

He raised his voice in support of our efforts to carve-out IDD from KanCare, and more recently to speak out against inappropriate seclusions and restraints used in the classroomn, often against kids with disabilities .. John Rubin worked with us, on behalf of Kansans with disabilities.

It is a sad day that he has announced his resignation from the House, and sadder still that he felt driven to do so, after having been punished by House leaders for speaking out on a bill he felt was important.

We will miss John Rubin in the House. I hope he changes his mind.

Legislators want to postpone waiver integration

KHI News Service reported last week that a subcommittee recommends putting off their plans to combine Medicaid waiver services until January 2018.

Tom Laing, InterHab Executive Director, was quoted in the story. Read the full article below: 

Legislative support is growing for a further delay of a plan to combine Medicaid waiver services — part of a recent pattern of the Republican lawmakers pushing back against Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration.

A subcommittee of four members of the House Health and Human Services Committee recommended last week that the administration postpone the waiver integration one year to Jan. 1, 2018.

“When the administration brought this to us, we did not see enough data that it was going to be done in a way that would meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens,” said the subcommittee chairman, Rep. Willie Dove, a Republican from Bonner Springs.

The subcommittee's recommendation is available for the full House health committee to act on. The committee also may consider House Bill 2682, which would require legislative approval before the administration combines the waivers. The committee had scheduled debate and a possible vote on that bill Monday, but it was pulled from the calendar.

Dove's subcommittee held two hearings on the integration plan. First the panel heard from a dozen disability advocates who said the state was moving too fast on the high-stakes plan.

At the second hearing state officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment made their case for the Jan. 1, 2017 implementation date, which had already been pushed back from July 1, 2016.

Rep. Les Osterman, a Republican from Wichita on the subcommittee, said the state didn’t provide enough details about how the waiver integration plan would actually work.

“We didn’t get the answers we wanted,” Osterman said. “They didn’t show us any procedure manuals. They showed us no plan. We asked the question of KDHE and they didn’t give us any plans whatsoever.”

The subcommittee also wants to see what Dove called “doorstop” points along the way, where state officials could stop and assess the transition and make adjustments if necessary.

Photo by KHI News Service
Tom Laing, executive director of InterHab, said legislators
deserve credit for taking a hard look at the integration timeline

Disability rights advocates said they were impressed with the subcommittee’s work.

Tom Laing, executive director of Interhab, a non-profit that serves Kansans with developmental disabilities, said the group commissioned by House Health and Human Services Committee chairman Rep. Dan Hawkins was thorough.

“Hawkins deserves credit for naming the subcommittee and the subcommittee deserves credit for the work they’ve done,” Laing said.

Mike Oxford, executive director of the Topeka Independent Living Center, which serves Kansans with physical disabilities, said he initially thought the subcommittee hearings would just be a formality for a Legislature that has generally been receptive to Brownback administration proposals.

But Oxford said Dove, Osterman and the other two members — Rep. Jim Kelly, a Republican from Independence, and Rep. Jim Ward, a Democrat from Wichita — asked the right questions.

The subcommittee's skepticism of the administration’s assurances fit a larger pattern of Republican House and Senate members, who are all up for reelection in November, increasingly resisting the governor’s office.

They’ve pushed back on Brownback’s plan to use special tax incentives to lure the American Royal across the Missouri border, ripped an administration deal to finance a new power plant, sought to pre-empt any administration attempts to unilaterally privatize state hospitals and even introduced bills to roll back Brownback’s signature income tax exemption for businesses.

Osterman said he believes the administration has enacted too many big changes without sufficient vetting — including the move to privatized, managed care Medicaid under KanCare.

“I saw what happened with KanCare,” Osterman said. “It wasn’t going to happen again. Not on my watch.”

KHI reporter Megan Hart contributed to this story

- See more at: http://www.khi.org/news/article/legislative-support-growing-to-delay-waiver-integration#sthash.e2xAuDu9.dpuf

Announcing PUSH DAY 2016

Hundreds of Kansans with disabilities, along with their families and their advocates, rally at the Statehouse with InterHab each year to call for legislative priorities such as full funding of social services that they rely on to continue living independently.

This year Push Day will focus on empowering Kansans with disabilities to make their voices heard and remind legislators of the power of this large and active community of voters.

We will rally around the movement #myvotecounts to spread our message through the Statehouse and social media. 

Schedule of Events
9:30 a.m.  Participants arrive and gather on the lawn on the South apron of the Capitol building
10:30 a.m. Welcome address and speakers
12:00 p.m. Lunch (participants may order lunches through InterHab or bring their own)
1:00 p.m.  Visit legislators, deliver advocacy materials and fill the galleries.

REGISTER TODAY!

Integrated Waiver Update

Rep. Jim Kelly's motion
received unanimous support

The House Health and Human Services subcommittee today concluded their discussions on HB 2682 (which would bar the State from amending the waiver programs without legislative consent).

In a unanimous vote, on a motion from Rep. Jim Kelly, the subcommittee recommended to the full committee that the integrated waiver NOT go forward before January 1, 2018, and that KDHE should report next January 2017 on the numerous concerns cited in the committee hearings.

Representative Jim Ward was a strong catalyst throughout the hearing for the proposed delay, and Representatives Osterman, Kelly and Dove all spoke in support of the rights of persons served, and the legislative obligation to speak out for those persons.

Every member of the subcommittee spoke firmly in favor of the delay, and they were not subtle in the degree of dissatisfaction they expressed regarding the lack of detail presented by the State. All were instead focused on the details presented from a wide variety of  stakeholder groups --  including I/DD, PD, DRC, KACIL, Senior advocates, Head injury professionals and the AAA network.

Rep. Jim Ward was a strong
catalyst throughout the
hearing for the proposed delay

Here are the next steps:

1. The subcommittee will make their recommendation to the full committee. We are reasonably certain believe the chair will support the subcommittee work.

2. We hope at this point and will advocate that the full committee will ask the Appropriations Committee to add a proviso to the next available appropriations legislation, which will essentially (if signed into law) block the State from using HCBS/Medicaid funds in an integrated waiver model.

3. We are currently reaching out to selected Senators to determine their interest in the matter, but for now, our stage is set in the house.

All legislators should be contacted.

All legislators should be informed that the integrated waiver should be delayed, and that the work of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee (Dove, Kelly, Osterman and Ward) should be supported.

All feedback that you receive back from your legislators should be shared with InterHab. More to come as we learn more about the coming steps legislators will take.

Kansas advocacy organization appoints new Executive Director

Tim Wood joins InterHab as
Executive Director

InterHab, the oldest and largest statewide association of developmental disability service providers, announced today that Tim Wood will be joining the organization as Executive Director.

Wood joins InterHab from Johnson County Developmental Supports where he worked as the CDDO Director. Wood has a breadth of experience supporting and advocating for persons with disabilities including Disability Rights Tennessee and Disability Rights Center of Kansas. In total, Wood has more than 18 years of experience working in government relations and disability policy.

At InterHab, Wood will lead members in strategic advocacy efforts with Kansas legislators and stakeholders to improve the lives of Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Wood will be filling the role that becomes vacant upon the retirement of Tom Laing, InterHab Executive Director since 1993, who will remain with InterHab in a transitionary role through September. Wood will serve as the point-person at both the state and federal level on a variety of disability issues.

Wood is a Nashville native and graduate of Wichita State University with a degree in Health Services Organization and Policy. He is married to Janene, and together they raise three daughters in Lawrence, Kansas.

Report: Integrated Waiver HB 2682

Rep. Dove, House Health and
Human Services subcommittee chair,
made no comments about next steps
 for integrated waiver HB 2682

Testimony today was strongly presented to urge a House Health and Human Service subcommittee to slow down the State's rush to replace all seven 1915c waivers with a single 1115 waiver.

The 2 hour hearing could not have presented a more strong and solid front of opposition. Not a single conferee spoke in support of the state plans. Both KHI and the Topeka Capital-Journal covered the hearing.

At the committee's conclusion the subcommittee chair, Rep. Dove made no comments about potential next steps.

Make your voice heard

This Saturday, March 5, is both the Republican and Democratic caucus in Kansas. Kansas has semi-closed caucuses — Kansans must be affiliated with a party to vote for their respective candidate. Kansas has Same-Day Registration which allows you to register to vote or update your affiliation to Democrat at the caucuses on Sat, March 5.

Doors open at 1 p.m. and voters must be in line by 3 p.m. The video below helps to show the importance that all people vote. Make your voice heard! Click here to check to see if you're registered to vote. 




Follow this link to find the Republican caucus in your area
Follow this link to find the Democratic caucus in your area

Note: InterHab does not support a specific political party or candidate. 

Jim Johnson Receives Citizen of the Year Award

Jim Johnson, Executive Director of Sunflower Diversified in Great Bend, recently was awarded the 2015 Citizen of the Year Award from the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development.

Jim received the award for his 42 years of diligent work advocating for an under-served portion of the area population.  He has been a leader in the industry and a mentor to many.  Jim has dedicated his entire life serving those with I/DD.

Please join us in congratulating Jim on receiving this well-deserved award.

Goals for the Remaining Days of this Shortened Session

We want to answer and debunk the legislature's efficiency study which proposes stealing $1 million in CDDO administrative funding, and closing 7 CDDOs.  We think the plan merely spreads the work over the remaining CDDOs for no compensating funding enhancement. It's not an efficiency move; it's a move toward more insufficiency!

We hope to fix the step therapy bill (SB 341) to protect mental health and seizure prescriptions from being arbitrarily altered by State and MCO cost cutting moves.
We intend to keep up the testimony and commentary along with many other groups, to educate lawmakers on the need to slow the State's rush toward the integrated waiver model, without additional legislative scrutiny.

We hope to protect the integrity of early childhood programs by making sure no one does an end run around the current legislative position to retain tiny-K's place in KDHE.
And we hope for additional education opportunities to inform legislators about the negative impact of low reimbursement rates, and make recommendations about improving the practices and policies of the State's vocational Rehabilitation programs.

It is important that advocates stay engaged with legislators, because when communication is ongoing, we are far more able to stave off some of the mischief that   is inflicted on unsuspecting programs who may have gone to sleep. And maybe, just maybe, legislators may do a few good things for us before they go home.

InterHab testimony for Seclusion and Restraint bill

February 10, 2016

TO: House Committee on Children and Seniors

FR: Tom Laing, Executive Director, InterHab

RE: Support for House Bill 2534 

We have appreciated the collaborative efforts of school officials and advocates in generating the language you are considering in HB 2534, as introduced, and we support that work product.  We know of only one issue* on which the stakeholder group could not agree, and that is the "sunset provision" that some are now promoting.

We oppose a sunset provision for this bill, and strongly urge that you NOT add it.

Sunset provisions are appropriate when statutes are written which are considered to be time-limited in need, or a "test run" of a new idea.  We understand some laws may later be deemed unneeded or impractical.  That is NOT the case in this instance. 

We believe that laws to create safer and more secure classrooms for our children are necessary. If anyone suggests it is somehow impractical to adhere to laws to assure a child's safety, that attitude in itself should be proof of the need for this law to become permanent.  

The push for a sunset provision comes from some of the same groups that opposed this law for a decade, and therefore our experience and yours should tell us that the sunset provision in this case is NOT a strategy to improve the law, but an effort to run the clock out on the law in hopes that it will not come back.  

The inappropriate use of seclusion and restraint would be considered an act of battery or worse, if the victim was an adult. Would we ever consider sun-setting laws against battery? Of course not.  Children's safety should be protected.  There should be no sunset on the right of a child to be safe. 

Please consider these thoughts, and act in accordance with the needs of our state's children, and please call if you have questions. 

Sincerely, 

Tom Laing, Executive Director, InterHab 

(NOTE: We have been advised that efforts are underway now to slow down the bill to add new regulatory language from the Department of Education. We believe that such language if important, should have already been offered, and in any case, can be added later, and should not slow down your consideration of the bill to which stakeholders had already agreed. Considering the accelerated pace of the legislature this year, delays to this bill may ultimately cause this bill to die. Do not let that happen.)

Final vote on Step Therapy Bill today

SB 341, step therapy for prescriptions, is still alive and will receive a final Senate vote today.

The bill allows MCOs to deny prescriptions recommended by a physician, if there is a cheaper drug available that could first be tried. (The bill would apply to prescriptions written starting July 1, 2016, effectively grandfathering in all prescriptions written before then).  So the greatest impact will be on newly eligible persons or newly diagnosed medical needs, on and after July 1.

SB 341 is maybe the clearest policy signal we have seen in our new managed care world that the medical interests of persons served take a back seat to budget considerations. In effect, a decision is made in this bill that will hurt those with the most complex prescription needs, and it is going forward because they need to cut the budget to compensate for their poor planning and fiscal decision making.

The effort is to make the sun shine in Kansas, even if it means darkening the future for persons in need.

SB 341 does not specifically protect mental health drugs, whether used for MH diagnoses or used for seizure prevention. It does require that prior to implementing step therapy policies for MH drugs that such policies would be required to go through an existing medical review panel which was set up last year. This is a modest assurance, but not an ironclad protection.

This process is complicated by the possibility that the bill cannot be fixed in the House  because it will NOT be worked in a House committee. Instead, the tentative plan is to add SB 341 into another bill (not yet determined) to avoid a House debate on step therapy .. partly because they might lose such a debate, partly because they do NOT want a bill on the House floor which might be a vehicle for Medicaid expansion.

Contact your Senator ASAP, and ask that when they go to the floor today at 2:30 p.m., that they vote to protect the interests of Kansans. If you know your Senator's name - Click here to look up their contact information.

If you do not know who represents you, you can look up your elected officials here.

Bill aims to give insurance companies control over patient medications

Senate Bill 341 is an attempt to give greater prescription authority to MCOs by granting the use of "step therapy" in which a prescription regimen can be ordered by the MCO that requires a client to start with lower-priced drugs, only moving up when it is demonstrated that the lower-priced drug is not working.

State officials have said:

• Mental health drugs are exempt from this.  
• This will not effect prescriptions already in place for persons served. 
• Psychotropics used for seizure controls will be treated as mental health drugs. 

However, none of these promises are in the bill, and if the bill is passed as is, we would have to rely on rules and regulations, and then on the operational practices of the MCOs to assure these promises will be kept.

The senate convenes at 2:30 p.m. today to vote on this bill. Read the bill here. 

CJ: Advocates critical of Sam Brownback for invoking disability services to oppose Medicaid expansion

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback
Photo Courtesy of the Topeka-Capital Journal

The Topeka Capital-Journal this week published an article on how a Kansas advocacy group responded to the Brownback administration's justification on their opposition to Medicaid expansion.

"Advocates for individuals with disabilities on Thursday rejected Gov. Sam Brownback’s argument that Kansas shouldn’t expand Medicaid because it prioritizes able-bodied adults before those with disabilities.

The Big Tent Coalition chided the governor and other opponents of expansion for invoking individuals with disabilities in arguing against increased eligibility for KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program.

“We can walk and chew gum at the same time and we expect Kansas policymakers to do the same,” said Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas. “We expect that they can focus on waiting list issues, reducing the waiting list while at the same time expanding Medicaid.”

Nichols said that while the coalition’s priority remains eliminating waiting lists for services for people with disabilities, it also supports Medicaid expansion.

In October, a Brownback aide invoked the governor’s moral opposition to expanding Medicaid while a wait list exists. Expanding KanCare could add more than 150,000 low-income Kansans to Medicaid.

“Medicaid Expansion creates new entitlements for able-bodied adults without dependents, prioritizing those who choose not to work before intellectually, developmentally, and physically disabled, the frail and elderly, and those struggling with mental health issues,” Melika Willoughby, Brownback’s deputy communications director, wrote in the October message. “This isn’t just bad policy, this is morally reprehensible.”

The coalition argues, however, that individuals with disabilities would benefit from Medicaid expansion. The group said many Kansans with disabilities aren’t currently eligible for a waiver for home- and community-based health services under Medicaid and are also uninsured — meaning they would potentially be covered by expanded Medicaid.

Expansion also would benefit direct support workers and personal care attendants who work with individuals with disabilities. The coalition said the shortage of workers is critical.

“Direct support staff and personal attendants are the backbone of the home and community services system,” the coalition said in a statement. “They deserve meaningful access to healthcare; access that will assist with recruiting and retaining workers.”

More than 30 states have adopted some form of Medicaid expansion. So far, conservative Republicans, along with the governor, have blocked consideration of increased eligibility for the program.

Expansion is unlikely to take place before elections in November. But some see potential movement after that.

Sen. Jeff King, R-Independence, told a conference this month that evaluating expansion options and developing legislation would take at least 16 months.

“I think we need to explore it,” King told the gathering. “Saying no to everything is not the answer.”

Read original article here.

KHI publishes 2016 Kansas Legislative Preview

The Kansas Health Institute has prepared an issue brief entitled 2016 Kansas Legislative Preview, which provides an overview of health policy issues that are likely to receive attention during the 2016 Kansas legislative session.

Click here to access the legislative preview created by the Kansas Health Institute

Three Key Questions

Today the Kansas Center for Economic Growth published the following in their blog regarding the Kansas budget.

"Kansas remains in a perpetual budget crisis as another legislative session begins. Lawmakers have already approved budgets for FY 2016 and for FY 2017, but both must be adjusted just to keep the general fund solvent.

Is it possible to get through FY 2016 without further cuts?

A very high risk exists for further mid-fiscal year program cuts.

In November, the state's revenue estimators markedly lowered expectations for the amount of tax revenue that Kansas would receive in FY 2016. The new estimate put the general fund underwater by more than $100 million, even though lawmakers had hiked the state sales tax rate in June and directly transferred more than $200 million from other state funds.

In response, the Brownback administration took emergency action in November to take yet another $50 million from the highway fund and $9 million from early childhood accounts, and imposed deeper spending cuts on programs. These actions just inched the general fund balance above zero by a few million dollars.

If actual tax collections do not meet the lowered targets, further budget cuts will be required. Kansas does not have any reserves left to deal with further revenue erosion.  Even with lowered expectations, the new estimate predicts that tax collections will increase by 5.7 percent in FY 2016. However, through the first 6 months of FY 2016, actual collections have grown less than 2 percent from the previous year. The revenue estimators likely still have the revenue estimate set too high.

What must be done to the existing FY 2017 budget - at minimum?

At least $175 million must either be added to revenue or subtracted from approved expenses to stay solvent. That's the bare minimum required to keep the ending balance above zero, and would only eke the state through to the next year.

 

Keep in mind that the revenue estimate for FY 2017 already includes $180 million in one-time transfers from other funds.

Doing the bare minimum does not account for any action that may be required from the school finance court case, does not provide any ending balance, and does not deal with understaffed prisons and hospitals. And if the revenue estimate for FY 2016 is still too high, the one for FY 2017 likely is, as well.

What's the fix?

To be financially stable, Kansas must adequately fund key programs, have a balance between income and expenses, and keep a reasonable amount of reserves. Not even one of those three things is occurring now.

The problem rests with unaffordable income tax cuts that dramatically diminished the state's revenue stream and produced a perpetual budget crisis. Fixing the problem requires revisiting those income tax policies and correcting them."

Click here to see the original article by Duane Goossen of the Kansas Center for Economic Growth.

InterHab executive director to retire

Tom Laing, InterHab Executive Director

One of the state's largest human service advocacy groups, InterHab, announced today the beginning of its search process to choose a successor for their current executive director, Tom Laing. The group's goal is to secure a new executive director before mid-year, to bridge the transition in advance of Laing's September retirement. InterHab represents community based organizations that serve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

InterHab's Board President Lori Feldkamp of Manhattan commented on the coming staff change:

"We have valued Tom's leadership and advice during these past twenty plus years, and appreciate that he always encouraged us to maintain an optimistic view of the future of our state, and to find and encourage the positive voices among the elected statehouse leaders. He helped us embrace numerous opportunities and confront many challenges, reminding us that whatever the odds we should never give up on issues we believed to be important."

Laing has served as InterHab's executive director for more than 22 years. Prior to joining InterHab, he had served from 1984 to 1990 as the staff director for the Kansas House Democratic caucus, and from 1991 to 1992 as chief of staff for House Speaker  Marvin Barkis. With his retirement Laing will conclude a period of state government and statehouse activity spanning more than 30 years.