RCIL Summer 2015 Consumer Newsletter

RCIL Summer 2015 Consumer Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Visually Impaired Person (VIP) Groups

Abilene – 12:30pm on the 1st Wednesday of every month at the Abilene Senior Center.

Wamego – 12:30pm on the last Thursday of every month at the Wamego Senior Center.

• This group has also started a “Talking Books Club” that will meet after the VIP meeting.

Contact Mandy Smith at 1.785.528.3105 for more information.

RCIL Friends Group Schedule on page 10

Office Closures:

July 3– Independence Day

September – Labor Day

13th Kansas Disability Caucus

The 13th Kansas Disability Caucus will be held at the Ramada Inn Downtown in Topeka, KS on August 13 and 14, 2015. People with all types of disabilities, of any age, representing every county of the state, are invited to attend. The purpose of the Caucus is to develop new disability leadership in Kansas, to educate Kansans with disabilities about the mechanics of the policy making process and encourage their participation in it, to determine major issues facing Kansans with disabilities, and to elicit solutions for issues identified.

In 1988, ninety people attended the first Kansas Disability Caucus in Salina, KS. It was these voices, uniting in a common cause, that helped to pass the first consumer directed personal care assistance program in Kansas. It was not uncommon, in the early years, to have founders of the disability rights movement, such as Ed Roberts, in attendance. From 1993 to the present, the Caucus has been held in Topeka. Now the Caucus is formatted to offer education about emerging issues. We gather feedback from the disability community via regional Caucus sessions. The Kansas Disability Caucus supports and encourages successful outcomes for people with all types of disabilities of all ages, especially encouraging the involvement of young adults.

A lot is currently happening in Kansas! The current State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) created Outreach, Housing, Transportation, and Employment Workgroups for the purpose of improving awareness and access for people with disabilities in Kansas. In addition, with the passing of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), there are significant positive changes on the way for Independent Living Programs and Workforce Centers. This is an exciting time filled with opportunities if people with disabilities grab a seat at the table.

The 2015 Disability Caucus theme is “ADA 25: Igniting the Fire for Employment, Involvement and Independence.” It is our sincerest hope that you will join us when the Kansas Disability Caucus returns August 13-14th in Topeka. If you are interested to attend or would like more information, contact Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL) at 785-215-8048 or . Registrations are due to KACIL by July 6th, 2015.

RCIL Directors:

Deone Wilson – Executive Director

Becky Brewer – Director of HCBS Programs & Services

Adam Burnett – Director of Core Services

Tania Harrington – Director of Disability Services

Mike Pitts – Director of Finance & Technology

Susan Warner Scheid – Director of Payroll & Benefits

Alternative Formats: To receive a copy of this newsletter in an alternative format, please call 1.800.580.7245.

From Attention, Guardians!

Kansas Department on Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)

Proposes New Policy on Conflict of Interest

Are you being paid to provide personal services or sleep cycle support for an HCBS participant that you are guardian of? KDADS has drafted a policy that is set to become effective July 1, 2015, to assure that conflict of interest is addressed when a person directing care on behalf of an HCBS Program participant is proposing to or is providing paid supports to the individual through home and community based Medicaid services.

Participants can maintain control of services and conflicts of interest may be mitigated by securing Durable Power of Attorney or separating the “employer of record” from the “manager/worker” and the use of administrative firewalls to separate the two entities.

KDADS has established the following policy to address potential conflicts:

1. A court appointed legal guardian is not permitted to be a paid provider for the participant unless a court determines that all potential conflict of interest concerns have been mitigated in accordance with KSA 59-3068.

a. It is the responsibility of the appointed guardian to report any potential conflicts to the court and to maintain documentation regarding the determination of the court.

b. A copy of the special or annual report in which the conflict of interest is disclosed will be provided to the State or designee.

2. If the court determines that all potential conflict of interest concerns have not been mitigated, the legal guardian can:

a. Select another family member or friend to provide the HCBS services to the participant. If a family member or friend is not available, the participant’s selected MCO or FMS provider can assist the legal guardian in seeking alternative HCBS service providers in the community; OR Select another family member or friend (who is not a legal guardian or activated DPOA) as a representative to develop or direct the plans of care. In that case, the MCO will obtain the participant’s written consent of delegated representative to act on behalf of participant, initially and annually thereafter; OR

b. Select the other legal guardian or activated DPOA to serve as the appointed representative to act on behalf of the participant. An exception to the criteria may be granted by the State when a participant/guardian lives in a rural setting and the nearest agency-directed service provider available to provide services is in excess of 50 miles from the participant residence.

Want more information? On the internet, go to: or call your Targeted Case Manager or managed care coordinator. RCIL will mail you copies of the policy and forms, if requested. Call us at 785-528-3105 and request a copy of the “Home and Community Based Conflict of Interest Policy”.

2014 Highlights & Donors

Throughout the year, the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) accomplished several great things, including relocating two RCIL satellite offices, educating elementary students about disability history and awareness, receiving donations from businesses and individuals, providing TAP services, celebrating RCIL’s 30th anniversary, increasing outreach efforts and RCIL Friends achieving their advocacy efforts. While the accomplishments described below highlight some of the great things that happened at RCIL, there is great pride in the many accomplishments for 2014 and we are excited to find out the opportunities and challenges RCIL will face in 2015!

New RCIL Office Locations in Emporia and Iola

RCIL moved the Emporia office and the Iola office to bigger office space during 2014. The RCIL Emporia office is still in the Emporia Humanitarian Center at 215 West 6th Avenue, however, they moved on June 2, 2014 from Suite 208 to Suite 202 which is on the east side of the building on the second floor. Their office hours have changed to Monday 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Thursday and Friday by appointment.

The RCIL Iola office moved on August 6, 2014 from 335 North Cottonwood Street, Suite C to 104 South Washington Avenue. It is located in the Iola Downtown Square. The office hours have continued to be Monday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Friday by appointment. RCIL is proud to be at the central location in Iola.

Both RCIL offices provide the Core Services in the RCIL designated core counties. The Emporia office provides core services throughout Chase, Lyon, Morris, and northern Greenwood counties. The Iola office provides core services throughout Anderson, Miami, Linn, Bourbon, and Allen counties. The five core services are Advocacy, Peer Counseling, Deinstitutionalization, Independent Living Skills Training, and Information and Referral. These services are provided by Independent Living Specialists and Peer Specialists

Disability History and Awareness Days

RCIL educated approximately 275 students and 25 faculty members about disability history and awareness at Towanda Intermediate School and Towanda Primary School on November 7, 2014. Totaling both schools, they had kindergarten through 5th grades participate in stations designed to give them information or an experience of what it is like to have a disability. Some of the stations were performing activities of daily living with one hand, an accessible van demostration, a hearing loss activity, a beep-ball game simulation, a wheelchair pushing course, and a video featuring children with disabilities. By the end of the day at each school, students and faculty members were inspired and had a bettter understanding about people with disabilities. The overwhelming positive feedback from teachers and students has prompted plans to educate students and faculty members at the Oil Hill School in El Dorado in May 2015!

Donors

In 2014, RCIL served around 1,900 individuals through our many programs and services. While we received funding from state and federal grants and waiver programs, many of our programs and services would not have been successful without the continued support of local businesses, organizations and individuals. In 2014, we were able to add new equipment to the Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program, build or repair three ramps, and share with community members about issues concerning the disability community. These were just a few of the great ways RCIL was able to use donations to serve Kansans with disabilities. We cannot thank our donors enough, but we would like to recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals who helped make 2014 a succeessful year for RCIL: Larry Abraham, Christine Babcock, Clyde Burns, CBIZ MHM, LLC, Sylvia Havner, Pam Hecht, Jane and Francis Kelsey, Lions Club of El Dorado, Vicki Nickleson, Orbis Corporation, Overbrook Community Chest, AgungPrayetna, Dolores Reid, Bob and Patty Suppon, United Way of Bourbon County, United Way of El Dorado, Christine Walker, Norman Wilka, Chad Wilkins, Deone Wilson, and Robert and Ollie Winzer.

Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)

The RCIL Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) Access Site began providing the Kansas Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) services in May 2014. The Kansas TAP is a statewide program that provides specialized telephones and other telecommunications devices to Kansans with disabilities who have a difficult time using a traditional home telephone. Kansas residents with existing telephone service and an income below $55,000 per year will qualify if they also have trouble hearing, seeing, speaking, remembering, walking, or holding a telephone. Our Assistive Technology Specialist assists with applications and provides demonstrations on different types of phones in the RCIL Topeka office.

RCIL Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Open House

RCIL celebrated their 30th anniversary while also educating visitors about the organization’s programs and services. They had an open house to welcome guests to visit RCIL’s main office in Osage City from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on September 25, 2014. Guests were provided with a lunch of sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips, soda and cake as they visited the office to learn about the many services offered through the organization. Door prizes were added to the excitement.

RCIL first opened on September 21, 1984 in Carbondale and was led by its first director Bill Reyer. Since then RCIL has grown to provide a wide array of programs and services for individuals with disabilities in the Eastern part of Kansas. Over the years, RCIL established satellite offices in Emporia, El Dorado, Iola and Topeka to help provide their services more efficiently for individuals with disabilities. RCIL is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors, members of which include Dana Pinkston, Dr. Carrie Hagemann, Phyllis Satterfield, Kraig Kettler, Ed King, Carol Irby and Alice Purvis. RCIL plans to continue to expand their programs and services in many years to come.

RCIOutreach Efforts Increased in Emporia Area

RCIL developed an Outreach Plan for the Emporia Office to reach unserved and underserved populations that were identified from the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). RCIL chose to focus on Hispanic communities, youth, and individuals who are blind or have low vision.

One of their big outreach efforts they accomplished was to set up a RCIL booth at the HOTT Fiesta on September 13, 2014 in Emporia. It was coordinated by an organization called, “The Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow.” RCIL Emporia staff educated over 200 individuals about RCIL services during the event. They provided Spanish and English brochures and freebies. They also gave away a door prize to the lucky winner. During the event, RCIL Emporia staff collaborated with the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO). They received an invitation from HALO to set up a booth at their Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Banquet at Emporia State University. On October 15, 2014, RCIL Emporia staff took their opportunity and set up a RCIL booth at their event. They educated over 50 individuals about RCIL services. RCIL plans to continue to work on their Outreach Plan in 2015.

Successful Advocacy Efforts in Emporia

In September 2013, RCIL Emporia Friends group addressed their concerns that the pedestrian stoplight crossings timers were not long enough to walk across a street safely during their meeting so they developed their advocacy plan.

RCIL Emporia Friends group started their plan by receiving information from Ray Petty with the Great Plains ADA Center on laws and regulations on pedestrian crossing. They contacted the City of Emporia and received measurements on how wide the streets are in Emporia. They measured the width of a street in their meeting room. Members in the group took turns timing themselves, determining an average time for all stoplight crossings.

In 2014, they evaluated all stoplight crossings around the downtown area in Emporia. They discovered all stoplight crossings timers were set different and each of the crossings was not set long enough to walk across a street safely. After they gathered their data, they shared the information with the City of Emporia. They requested an accommodation to adjust the timers at stoplight crossings around downtown Emporia. In November 2014, the Emporia RCIL Friends group efforts paid off and all of the needed timers in Emporia will be adjusted.

Communication and Listening Skills

It sounds so simple: say what you mean. But all too often, what we try to communicate gets lost in translation despite our best intentions. We say one thing, the other person hears something else, and misunderstandings, frustration, and conflicts arise.

If you want to improve your communciation and active listening skills, below are guidelines to use when communicating with another person according to Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development (CMAD) trainer’s manual.

Guidelines for Communication

• Make communication positive, clear, and specific.
• Recognize that each individual sees things from a different point of view.
• Be open and honest about your feelings and accept others feelings.
• Ask questions for clarification on an issue.
• Learn to listen. Allow time for the other person to talk without interruptions.

Suggestions for Improving Active Listening Skills

1. Make Eye Contact

2. Exhibit Affirmative Nods and Appropriate Facial Expressions

3. Avoid Distracting Actions or Gestures

4. Ask Questions

5. Paraphrase

6. Avoid Interrupting the Speaker

7. Do Not Talk Too Much

Visually Impaired Person Group

The Visually Impaired Person (VIP) Group in Wamego took a group picture during their monthly meeting. This group was established in 2014 and has recently started a Talking Book Club after their VIP meeting at the Wamego Senior Center. If you are interested in joining this group or similar group near you please contact Mandy Smith at 785-528-3105.

RCIL Celebrating the ADA 25th Anniversary

It’s time to celebrate the ADA 25th Anniversary! Do you know what the ADA is? The ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act and it became law on July 26, 1990 signed by President George H. W. Bush. It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life such as jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA is divided into five titles that relate to different areas of public life.

Title 1 – Employment: this title is designed to help people with disabilities access the same employment opportunities and benefits available to people without disabilities. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants or employees upon request.

Title 2 – State and Local Government: this title prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by “public entities,” which are programs, services, and activities provided or made available by state and local governments. The public entity must make sure its programs, services, and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. For example this might include public bus service, parks, public schools, and universities.