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The 2026 Legislative Platform has been approved by the InterHab Board of Directors and is linked here: https://interhab.org/advocacy/

This November, a bipartisan group in Congress reintroduced the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (H.R. 6137 / S. 3211). This bill urges the federal government to create an official Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for Direct Support Professionals.

 

Why this matters:
Community providers continue to face severe workforce shortages. Without an SOC, the federal government cannot accurately track DSP wages, employment trends, or workforce needs. Creating this classification would give us the data needed to support better rates, improve recruitment and retention, and strengthen services for people with I/DD.

 

How you can help:
Please contact your members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act. Federal recognition of DSPs is an important step toward addressing the workforce crisis and ensuring Kansans with I/DD can live, work, and thrive in their communities.

Send a message here: https://www.ancor.org/actions/tell-congress-to-cosponsor-the-recognizing-the-role-of-dsps-act/

Tentative 2026 Legislative Session Dates and Deadlines: Mark your calendars!

 

Here are the key dates and deadlines for the 2026 legislative session:

  • Monday, January 12th, 2026: Legislative Session Begins
  • Monday, January 27th, 2026: Last day for members to request bill drafts from Revisor’s office
  • Monday, February 3rd, 2026: Last day for non-exempt Committees to request bill drafts from the Revisor’s office
  • Wednesday, February 5th, 2026: Last day for Individuals to introduce bills in their originating chamber
  • Friday, February 7th, 2026: Last day for non-exempt Committees to introduce bills in originating Chamber
  • Thursday, February 20th 2026: Turnaround Day (the last day to consider non-exempt bills in their house of origin)
  • Friday, March 21st, 2026: Second Chamber Consideration (the last day to consider a non-exempt bill from the opposite chamber of origin)
  • Friday, March 28th, 2026: First Adjournment
  • March 29th – April 9th, 2026: No Session
  • Veto session is anticipated to begin on April 10th, 2026

InterHab Informational Sessions

As a reminder, InterHab will continue to hold Informational Sessions for affiliates, parents, guardians, individuals, etc. once per month moving forward. All are welcome at attend these virtual sessions and we encourage you to share these opportunities with others interested!

Going forward meetings will be held the last Wednesday of the month.

NEW!!! Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 885 0709 9749
Passcode: 68843

 

2026 dates to come!

Contact Your Legislators: Thank Them & Keep the Momentum for 2026

 

Your outreach right now helps lay the groundwork for continued progress on IDD system modernization, provider capacity, and sustainable service funding. When you share even a brief personal message or story, it resonates with your legislators. We’ve seen this advocacy move decisions before, and your voice continues to truly matter.

 

Use the form to send a message to your legislators thanking them for their support during the 2025 session, and encouraging continued collaboration as we move into 2026. Personal messages from parents, guardians, individuals, friends, and providers make a true difference in our advocacy efforts!

 

Please include a personal message or story in the box provided. Thank you!

 

Key Points You’re Reinforcing:

  • Appreciation for provider rate increases and progress on the IDD wait list in 2025.
  • Value of ongoing collaboration with KDADS and stakeholders during system modernization.
  • The need for continued partnership and investment to address workforce and capacity challenges.
  • Commitment to ensuring Kansans with IDD can live, work, and thrive in their home communities.

Contact our Johnson County and Miami County Legislators Today.

RESOURCES:

Interhab.org


Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)

 

Reach out to your legislators asking them to protect Medicaid funding. https://www.ancor.org/amplifier/

Interhab Advocacy Information Page

State Legislators: State of Kansas

Johnson & Miami Counties

 

Senator Adam Thomas | Olathe, KS

785.296.7358 Adam.Thomas@senate.ks.gov

 

Representative Lauren Bohi | Olathe KS

785.296.7658 Lauren.Bohi@house.ks.gov

 

Senator Caryn Tyson | Paola, KS

785.296.6838 Caryn.tyson@senate.ks.gov

 

Representative Samantha Poetter Parshall | Paola KS

785.296.7748 Samantha.Poetter@house.ks.gov

Use the email tool below to send a message to our Kansas Legislators.

Remember to include a personal message or story before you send!

Dear Senator Adam Thomas, Representative Lauren Bohi, Senator Caryn Tyson, Representative Samantha Poetter Parshall,
Thank you for your work during the 2025 legislative session to increase provider rates and continue progress on the IDD wait list. These steps have helped build stability in the IDD system and have made a real impact for families across Kansas — including right here in my community.

Over the past several months, providers, families, state partners, and advocates have been collaborating closely with KDADS on IDD system modernization. This shared effort is helping create practical solutions that strengthen services statewide, and it is important that this work continues.

As we prepare for the 2026 session, I’m asking for your continued partnership to support ongoing progress. Workforce and service capacity challenges persist, and sustained investment remains crucial to ensure Kansans with IDD can thrive in the communities they call home. I will be sharing more specific legislative priorities soon and hope we can move forward together.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Kansans with IDD.
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