Busy week in the Legislature

Several legislative committees will focus on disability-related issues this week. Among the committee hearings:

Tuesday, January 26th -

The House Social Service Budget Committee will hear an overview of HCBS waivers from SRS, while the Children and Families Committee will hold a hearing on the waivers.

Wednesday, January 27th -

The House Appropriations Committee will receive an update on SRS from acting secretary Robert Siedlecki, while the House Social Services Budget Committee will receive an update on Money Follows the Person.

Thursday, January 28th -

Acting SRS secretary, Robert Siedlecki will present an agency overview to the House Aging and Long Term Care Committee.

2011 Legislative Session underway!

the 2011 Legislative Session began on Monday, a snow-filled day which also saw Sam Brownback sworn in as the 45th Governor of the state of Kansas.

As the session gets underway, it's important that you renew your commitment to advocacy on behalf of Kansans with developmental disabilities. Start today by sending best wishes for the 2011 Legislative Session to your legislators via e-mail. It takes only a couple of minutes.

To send an e-mail, please visit the Invisible Kansans website and click on the "Support Kansas DD Funding" button. You will then be asked to provide your zip code. A few more clicks and your e-mail will be sent to your legislators. It's easy!

Brownback Announces SRS Nominee

Governor-Elect Sam Brownback introduced his nominee for secretary of SRS this afternoon at a  news conference at the Statehouse.  Bronwback's SRS nominee is Robert Siedlecki, Jr., current Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Health.

The Florida Department of Health’s website lists the following biographical information regarding Mr. Siedlecki:

Robert Siedlecki, Jr., is the Chief of Staff of the Florida Department of Health. Prior to his current position, Rob served for almost six years in the federal government as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as Senior Legal Counsel to the Task Force for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, he has over eight years of practice in the private sector. Rob is a graduate of Harvard College (1991) and Cornell Law School (1995).

A native of south Florida, Rob grew up in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and is a graduate of Pine Crest High School (1987) in Ft. Lauderdale.

Happy Holidays from InterHab!

The staff of InterHab wish you and your family the very best this holiday season!

Legislative Hearing on DD Issues Today

Follow us on Twitter for updates live from the hearing today!

www.twitter.com/InterHab

The Children's Issues Joint Legislative Committee will hold hearings this morning on developmental disability issues. The Committee will hear testimony regarding the DD waiting lists, the state's tiny-k network for infants and toddlers with disabilities, and concepts for creating a new in-home support waiver for families of children with developmental disabilities.

For more information on the hearing, please click on the link below to view the Committee's agenda:

Children's Issues Joint Committee December 7th and 8th Agenda

Celebrating 35 Years of the IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is the legislative foundation for all services that students with disabilities receive in schools today. At the 35th anniversary of its passage, this video takes a look back to what the conditions were like before IDEA, and how its passage has changed the educational landscape for students with disabilities today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUn6luZQaXE

DD Issues to be Focus of Legislative Hearings

The Children's Issues Joint Legislative Committee will hold hearings on December 8th on developmental disability issues. The Committee will hear testimony regarding the DD waiting lists, the state's tiny-k network for infants and toddlers with disabilities, and concepts for creating a new in-home support waiver for families of children with developmental disabilities.

For more information on the hearing, please click on the link below to view the Committee's agenda:

Children's Issues Joint Committee December 7th and 8th Agenda