KanCare information
September 10, 2012
Just in case you missed it, I’ve attached a link to Steve Rose’s editorial from Thursday’s Kansas City Star. I hope you find it as interesting and informative as I did.
The one clarification that I’d add to the editorial is that folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities (/DD) are indeed being included in KanCare. They will be included for their medical and mental health care. The one year postponement that Mr. Rose mentions is only for long-term care services (day, residential, and in-home supports.) We certainly didn’t get off unscathed.
We are still waiting on the decision as to whether KanCare is deemed acceptable by the federal government. As soon as I find out, you’ll be the first to know (even if it’s not on a Monday!)
Looking ahead, this next year in Topeka is going to be a rough one. Many of our past supporters did not win their primary election which means we will have a massive group of new folks who don’t know anything about us, our challenges or our needs.
With close to 5,000 names on the I/DD waiting list (totally unacceptable), the potential of State revenue decreasing due to the massive tax cut passed last session, and with the Governor telling Departments to cut their budgets by 10% next year, we’ve got enormous challenges ahead.
InterHab (a statewide association for I/DD service providers) is working with community agencies to develop educational information for legislators. One tool will be a series of stories which showcase the benefits persons with I/DD and/or their families receive from gaining access to services. You all know that a real story is much better than a tale.
That’s where YOU come in:
Could you sit at your computer for a few minutes and write up a brief personal story about how community supports have helped someone close to you with a developmental disability? If not that, then how a lack of community supports has affected someone with a developmental disability.
Address it me at [email protected].
Examples:
- · A story showcasing an individual’s journey from institutional settings to now having access to their community and supports in their community
- · A story showcasing someone before community employment and the ways their life has improved from employment
- · A family’s story showcasing how challenging life can be if they didn’t have the supports they receive from their community provider agency
- · A family’s story describing the challenges of waiting, waiting, waiting
Once you complete your story, be sure to hit “SEND”! I look forward to opening my email each day with a plethora of emails from each and every one of you.
I’m thanking you in advance in hopes that you’ll now feel obligated to send me a little something!
One more thing!
The KanCare Second Educational Tour will be in Johnson County at the end of the month. I’d encourage you to attend.
Wednesday, September 26th
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Olathe Holiday Inn, Ballroom A/B
101 West 151st Street
Olathe, KS 66061
Warm regards,
Lurena Mead
JCDS Community Relations Manager
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