This message is from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Disability News Brief. View on their website. 

Driving Change | Creating Opportunity 

ODEP News Brief. Driving Change - Creating Opportunity

July 21, 2023

Revised Voluntary Self-Identification Disability Form

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has revised the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form (CC-305) to update the preferred language for disabilities and to include additional examples of disabilities. Federal contractors and subcontractors have until July 25, 2023, to implement the new form into their applicant and employee systems and processes. For more information on Section 503 requirements, visit OFCCP’s Section 503 information page, or contact the OFCCP Help Desk at 1-800-397-6251 or online.

Partnerships for Successful Customized Employment

Customized Employment (CE) continues to open doors to employment and careers for youth and adults with disabilities. Join the LEAD Center on July 25, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET, for the webinar “Partnerships for Successful Customized Employment.” The webinar will share how Oregon and the District of Columbia have implemented CE through partnerships involving schools, vocational rehabilitation, the workforce system, community employment providers and more. Presenters will also highlight successes and funding options for Discovery and CE, including ways to blend, braid and sequence resources across systems.

Building an Equity Lens: Strategies for Success

Check out the July LEAD ON newsletter, “Building an Equity Lens: Strategies for Success.”  The disability community has long said, “Nothing about us without us.”

Too often, that “us” has excluded people from traditionally underserved communities. The newsletter explores how the LEAD Center is building an equity lens to better learn from and support traditionally underserved populations with its policy information, tools and resources.

Reminder: New Way to Learn about FOAs

ODEP added a new topic link to its subscription feature that individuals and organizations can use to sign up to learn about ODEP funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) once they are announced.

U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy

DRIVING CHANGE • CREATING OPPORTUNITY  

View this newsletter on our website.

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This message is from the Kansas Council for Developmental Disabilities (KCDD)

View this email in your browser.

KCDD Wants YOU to Make YOUR VOICE HEARD in Topeka

Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (KCDD) mission is to empower individuals with I/DD and their families to lead systems change, build capacity, and advocate for inclusive, integrated, accessible communities where everyone belongs and thrives. KCDD serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through advocacy, public policy, and education.

As part of our programming, KCDD works to ensure self-advocates, advocates and other key stakeholders are engaged in key committees, meetings and forums where decisions about the I/DD community are made.

There are two important upcoming opportunities to make your voice heard in our State Capitol over the next few weeks (important note: each Committee has specific deadlines for notifying the Committee staff to testify in-person or virtual; and for submitting written testimony in advance of the hearing date).

Public Testimony at the Bob Bethel Committee on Thursday, August 3, 2023

The Bethell KanCare Oversight Committee is an opportunity for the community to inform legislators about their experience using KanCare services and offer solutions to problems they may identify. This Committee monitors and provides oversight for different issues around KanCare with the hope that, ultimately, the state receives better services. [MORE INFO]

Public Testimony at the Special Committee on the I/DD Waiver on Friday, August 7, 2023

This Special Committee is narrowly focused on IDD waiver rates. This includes the rate setting process, inefficiencies in the reimbursement process, rates that still lag, etc. In addition to voicing your opinion, we ask that you provide potential solutions where possible, including examples of successful solutions in Kansas or other states.

The Special Committee wants to hear from organizations, service providers, waiver recipients, individuals on the waitlist, and anyone else who is passionate about the IDD waiver.

Anyone wanting to testify should contact [email protected] prior to July 19th.

If you’d like assistance with your testimony, please contact our KCDD staff at [email protected]

(785) 296-2608 [or (877) 431-4604 Toll-Free]

Copyright (C) 2023 Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you want to be involved in our community.

Our mailing address is:
Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities 900 SW Jackson, Ste. 569 Topeka, Ks 66612 USA

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Job Vacancy Announcements

The Intrust Bank job vacancy listing is attached below for your use.  Please feel free to share with others. Job Fair flyer is attached below. 

Job Fairs are Scheduled!

Registration's Open!
• Olathe - 7/26
• Topeka - 8/8
• Lawrence - 9/12
• Lee's Summit - 9/26

Peter Steimle
StepUpJobFairs.com
785.832.7119

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This message is from an announcement from Governor Laura Kelly's office. 

KDADS Reopens Shared Living Program 

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2023

           

Contact: Cara Sloan-Ramos  

  

KDADS Reopens Shared Living Program for Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announces the agency has reopened its Shared Living Program, a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) living option for individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

“The process to re-introduce this program to Kansans with IDD has been an important one and we are grateful to and want to acknowledge those who continuously advocated for this program across the state and for those who participated in the creation of the manual,” KDADS Secretary Howard said. “Our team and our partner group has implemented best practices in our state, answered questions, developed tools, and have been vital in this program’s development.”

Shared Living is a nationally recognized model for habilitation or residential services for individuals with IDD. In Shared Living, one to two Participants share a home with a family or single adult's family (the Contractor). The Contractor lives with the Participant and provides supports to them in accordance with the Participant’s person-centered support plan to include social activities, companionship, teaching, daily living skills, supported employment, night supports and other needs.

“Shared Living provides adults with IDD the opportunity to live in a supportive, family-like environment that promotes independence, social inclusion, and a sense of belonging,” Sunflower Health Plan’s President and CEO, Michael Stephens said. “Sunflower is proud to partner with KDADS and IDD providers to reopen this program.” 

Participants in the Shared Living Program have the same rights, responsibilities, and assurances as other Participants receiving HCBS-IDD services in other settings. All services and supports will comply with KDADS licensing, Community Developmental Disabilities Organization (CDDO) quality assurance, Managed Care Organization (MCO) reviews, the Person-Centered Support Plan, and other quality assurance reviews.

KDADS has developed the standards for the Shared Living Program in collaboration with a group of licensed residential providers currently providing Shared Living services for Participants on Kansas’ HCBS-IDD Waiver. The Shared Living Manual, effective July 1, 2023, formalizes existing practices and addresses specific issues related to the HCBS-IDD residential requirements and the expansion of the Shared Living Program in Kansas. The Shared Living Manual may be amended based on public comment.

“We are excited to offer this high-quality service option to our Sunflower members and other adults with IDD across Kansas. We appreciate the knowledge and collaboration KDADS and our provider partners offer to inform the future structure of this valuable service model,” Sunflower’s Vice President of Long-term Care and External Relations, Stephanie Rasmussen, said.

KDADS expects the Shared Living Program to:

• Contribute to the development of individualized, independent daily living routines through encouragement of informed choice, creativity, and enrichment of a Participant’s life.

• Assist participants in contributing to Kansas as a community.

• Support quality homes or apartments that are integrated into our communities.

• Consistently teach new skills with evidenced-based practices.

• Foster inclusion.

• Gently and respectfully address inappropriate behavior, with an emphasis on prevention by teaching alternative behaviors through the provision of enriched environments, activities, and choices.

• Ensure that all behavioral interventions comply with state statutes to ensure the least restrictive environment possible.

• Increase a Participant’s ability to live in the least restrictive environment.

• Encourage and support the development of relationships between Participants, participant peers, families, roommates, employees, friends, coworkers, roommates, and other community members.

• Motivate participants to learn new skills and avoid behaviors that are stigmatizing or harmful.

• Comply with federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Final Rule and all local, state, federal, and Program requirements.

• Promote the need for choice, exercising autonomy, and control over one’s own services.

• Address workforce shortages without compromising quality of services and supports.

The entry timeline for the program is staggered to allow development and implementation to progress efficiently:

• July 1, 2023 – All Providers currently providing Shared Living Services can continue to do so and expand into other catchment areas. Any Residential Licensed Provider in good standing can begin the process to provide Shared Living Services.

• January 1, 2024 – New applicants can begin the process to become a Residential Licensed Provider to provide Shared Living Services. New applicants can include any new or existing agency that wishes to be become licensed for Residential Services and offer the Shared Living Program.

Any agency currently providing Shared Living or that would like to become a Shared Living Provider can contact KDADS’ IDD Licensing Manager Aaron Norris.

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