Here is today's Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC) Disability News message. I hope you have a wonderful day.?

Martha

*Martha K. Gabehart* | "Executive Director
"Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC)
*Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
*900 SW Jackson, Suite 100 | Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 296-6525 (direct) | (785) 260-4027 (cell)

[email protected] | www.kcdcinfo.ks.gov [ [link removed] ]

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Job Vacancy Announcements

The Intrust Bank job vacancy listing is attached below.?

Blue Cross/Blue Shield posted more job vacancy announcements on their website [ [link removed] ].?

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KDADS Partners with Public Consulting Group to Transform Services for Individuals with Disabilities

April 11, 2024
Contact: KDADS Director of Communications, Cara Sloan-Ramos

~~ Focus on the Development of a New Community Support Waiver ~~

TOPEKA, Kan. ? Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard today announced a partnership with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to assist in the state?s plan to modernize the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver by addressing waitlist and workforce challenges, and supporting the state in the development of a new Community Support Waiver (CSW).

?My administration is focused on enhancing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,? Governor Laura Kelly said. ?By developing a new Community Support Waiver and restructuring support systems through this partnership, we are taking a significant step toward better serving these Kansans.?

The CSW for individuals with IDD is designed to provide a limited set of supports for those who have a place to live in the community, allowing them to continue to live independently and promoting community living and integration.

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In 2022, the Kansas State Legislature assembled the Special Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disability Waiver Modernization to review and recommend options for waiver alternatives and modernization based on input from officials from other states, researchers, advocacy groups, parents, and individuals with disabilities.

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?Thanks to the work and recommendations of the Modernization Committee and our community partners, and now onboarding PCG with their proven track record in Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver development and compliance assistance, we believe we are on the right path to addressing the needs of people on the state?s IDD waiting list more effectively and efficiently,? KDAD Secretary Laura Howard said. ?Kansas is committed to ensuring individuals have the opportunity to live independently with supports in their communities.?

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The development of the CSW is at the heart of the initiative. Designed with input from a diverse group of stakeholders, including state agencies, Community Development Disability Organizations (CDDOs), families, and current participants, the CSW aims to address current service barriers and enhance service delivery. The primary goal is to reduce waiting lists and ensure services are accessible to those in need. This demonstrates the state?s commitment to building a support system that reflects the community's needs.

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The PCG partnership includes strategic grant funding to support the transformation and improvement of services. Funding initiatives will focus on specific service areas like aiding sheltered workshop providers with compliance with new regulations, restructuring CDDOs to eliminate conflicts of interest, and ensuring the impartiality of case management.

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?Through these efforts, Kansas and PCG are working together to ensure services are delivered fairly, efficiently, and with the best interests of individuals with disabilities in mind,? KDADS Long Term Services and Supports Commissioner Michele Heydon said. ?This collaboration is a testament to the state's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through innovative solutions and community-focused initiatives.?

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In February this year, Governor Laura Kelly announced an FY 2025 budget proposal to invest more than $23 million for the IDD and Physical Disability (PD) waivers, creating 250 new enrollment slots for each.

About HCBS

The HCBS program allows states to use Medicaid funds to offer critical nonmedical services not otherwise covered by Medicaid. The provided services can include personal attendants and other in-home supports, supported employment, and in-home specialized medical care.

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This message is from The Whole Person. They are cancelling the press conference about their 2024 KC Ultimate Games. The games are being postponed.

We regret to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2024 KC Ultimate Games due to unforeseen circumstances.

With that, the Press Conference scheduled for Monday, April 15th, is canceled.
Thank you for your support and we apologize for the inconvenience.

If you or your organization has committed to being involved with these events, we will be in touch as soon as we can.

For more Adaptive Sports events, visit our website here [ [link removed] ].

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View it in your browser [ [link removed] ].

Employment First Community of Practice Webinar Series

Using ABLE Accounts to Support Workers in Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Positions

Wednesday May 1, 2024
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET

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The National Employment First Community of Practice (CoP) Webinar Series augments the technical assistance areas of Employment First systems change (Capacity Building, Provider Transformation, School-to-Work Transition, Employer Engagement, and Policy/Funding Alignment). CoP participants benefit from national subject matter experts (SMEs) presenting information and resources to support Employment First efforts.

ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families that allow workers to save money beyond asset limits and protect their eligibility for means-tested benefit programs. This webinar is specifically designed for the self-advocates, Employers, Providers, and Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Accessibility executives to learn about the power of ABLE accounts for individuals with disabilities, family members, and caregivers. In addition, the webinar will highlight innovative ways employers are supporting their disabled workforce and family members through ABLE accounts, and webinar attendees will gain tools and strategies to help employers and jobseekers best take advantage of ABLE accounts.

Webinar Objectives:
? Learn the benefits of ABLE accounts and how these accounts can support people with disabilities, their families and their caregivers.
? Discover innovative ways employers can offer ABLE account benefits in a workplace to promote disability inclusion, family engagement, and recruit new talent.
? Hear from those in the workplace currently using ABLE accounts to increase their financial independence.
? Understand how providers and self-advocates can support jobseekers and employers to increase the understanding and use of ABLE accounts.

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Note: In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, this is the second in a two-part series of webinars on access to Financial Planning for people seeking and maintaining Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) positions. You can learn more about Part One: "Understanding Ticket To Work" and register for that webinar here [ [link removed] ].

***Register for the May 1 Webinar Here [ [link removed] ]***

Please email any accommodation requests to: [email protected] <[email protected]>.

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Speakers:

(More speakers to be announced shortly)

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Eric Ochmanek
Director, ABLE today

Eric Ochmanek leads ABLE today, which directly engages the disability community through national outreach, developing resources, and fostering partnerships to increase the awareness of ABLE accounts. In 2016, Eric worked to launch one of the first ABLE programs and developed its in-state and national outreach. He has traveled throughout the country to connect people with disabilities with ABLE accounts and built partnerships within the disability, financial, legal, and support service communities.

Previously, Eric worked for British Petroleum in the North America Gas division, the White House Office of Presidential Advance, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Secretary. Eric is a graduate of Adrian College (Adrian, MI). He and his wife enjoy volunteering at their sons' school and for their sports teams.

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Sara Hart Weir
Executive Director,
Kansas Developmental Disabilities Council

Sara Hart Weir is the Executive Director of the Kansas Developmental Disabilities Council. Weir has been working in the disability community for over two decades as a nonprofit executive, disability activist and ABLE expert. She served as the President & C.E.O. of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), where during her tenure, led the passage of the landmark, bipartisan Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in 2014 (P.L.113-295). The legislation garnered the support of 85% of the entire US Congress. Sara also supported a majority of the enactment of ABLE state laws, assisted with over 40 state ABLE plan launches as well as led four successful federal improvements to the original ABLE Act.

Her passion, ignited by her late friend Kasey with Down syndrome, continues to drive Sara to ensure people with disabilities have a seat at the table and equity in the workplace. Weir co-founded the U.S. Future of Work for People with Disabilities Commission along side CEOs from Voya and SHRM, established NDSS? first-ever employment program and remains a leading voice to end the discriminatory practice of sub-minimum wage.

Sara serves as a Commissioner on the Kansas Employment Oversight First Commission, a Senior Advisor of ABLE today as well as on the Board of Directors for 2-Gether International, Creative Spirit and Golden Scoop in her hometown of Overland Park, Kansas.
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Employment First Webinars are recorded, and the links are distributed to the listserv within two business days following the webinar. Please share this announcement with your colleagues! If they are not a current subscriber to ODEP's Employment First mailing list, they can register using the following link:

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Copyright ? 2024 Economic Systems Inc., All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Economic Systems Inc.
3120 Fairview Park Dr
Suite 500
Falls Church, VA 22042

Click here [ [link removed] ] to subscribe to ODEP's Employment First Mailing List.?

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This is the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) News Brief

April 11, 2024
Connect with ODEP on LinkedIn!

ODEP has entered the chat! Visit our brand-new page on LinkedIn and connect with us to get regular updates on ODEP activities and resources. You can also ask us questions and join the conversation on topics and trends in disability employment.

Follow us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]
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Lessons in Financial Literacy for People with Disabilities

A three-year Illinois initiative helped train disabled people and their family members in financial literacy, including how to manage money, reduce debt and use credit wisely. To learn more, join the upcoming webinar ?Engaging Diverse Communities Through Financial Education and Empowerment,? hosted by the federally funded Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center, on April 16, 2024, at 3 p.m. EDT.

Register for the webinar [ [link removed] ]
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CHIPS for America: Inclusive Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Everyone who serves, supports or otherwise works with the disability community is invited to join the webinar ?Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities? on April 18, at 2 p.m. EDT, to learn about the federal CHIPS for America program, which helps fund U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.

Register for the webinar [ [link removed] ]
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Building Infrastructure for Good Jobs

Register now for the webinar ?Building Infrastructure for Good Jobs: Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities in the Construction Industry,? hosted by ODEP?s National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center) on April 25, 2024, at 3 p.m. EDT. The webinar will discuss the benefits of the construction industry?s inclusive hiring practices, including apprenticeships and labor-management partnerships.

Register for the webinar [ [link removed] ]
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Securing Your Financial Future

ODEP?s LEAD Center invites job seekers and employees to join the webinar ?Improving Employment Outcomes: The
Critical Role of Financial Education? on April 29, at 3 p.m. EDT, to find out how to access financial literacy resources, education and tools through the workplace or through the federal government.

Register for the webinar [ [link removed] ]
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What We Can Learn from Women Who Advance DEIA

Hear from two passionate champions of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) in the workplace?including ODEP?s own Assistant Secretary Taryn Williams?about the importance of self-advocacy and mentorship in women?s careers, especially for women with disabilities.

Read the interview [ [link removed] ]

U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy
DRIVING CHANGE ? CREATING OPPORTUNITY

View this newsletter on our website. [ [link removed] ]

U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20210
www.dol.gov | 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365)

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* Job Openings for INTRUST Bank 4.10.2024.pdf [ [link removed] ]

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