As a Friend of Lakemary Center, a strong network of community-based services for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is important to me. I am very concerned by the large number of changes KDADS intends to make to the Kansas IDD service network in the near future. I believe the Kansas Legislature must intervene to stop harm from coming to Kansans with IDD from these proposed changes.

KDADS has signaled that they will make a multitude of changes to the IDD service structure in the next year to two years. They intend to make all of these changes at the same time. Changes include a complete restructuring of Targeted Case Management, Reorganization of CDDOs, a completely new funding structure for HCBS Waiver services, a new tool to determine the level of care needed by persons with IDD, and a slew of changes to Day Services that will result in less choice for Kansans with IDD in engaging in meaningful work activities.

I appreciate your previous legislative support of Kansans with IDD. Your help is once again needed to ensure that harmful changes are not made to the service network that these vulnerable Kansans depend on. Please urge your legislative colleagues to examine and intervene to protect this vital service network.