Independent Living Services

CORE SERVICES

Information and Referral
ILRC provides information, resources and referrals on issues and services such as:
• Affordable, accessible housing
• Community resources
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Transportation options
• Medical Equipment Recycling Network (MERN)
• Attendant Care Services
• Employment Issues

Also, information is available from our resource library, educational workshops and community presentations.

Skills Training
ILRC provides individualized training to assist persons with disabilities to attain the skills necessary to achieve and maintain an independent lifestyle. Training areas can include:
• Activities of Daily Living
• Transportation Skills
• Self Advocacy Skills
• Computer Training
• Money Management
• Home Management
• Communication Skills
• Personal Care Training
• Cooking Classes

Peer Support
ILRC matches individuals with similar disabilities to share information and experiences, gain a network of support, and increase confidence. Peer support groups meet every Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Learning, sharing and growth opportunities come from this valuable service.

Individual and Systems Advocacy
ILRC provides individual training on improving self-advocacy skills and offers many opportunities to advocate for your needs through letter-writing campaigns and trips to the state capitol to meet with government leaders. ILRC holds monthly advocacy meetings and stays current on legislative issues that impact people with disabilities.

ILRC advocates for laws and protections for people with disabilities in our State and across the Nation and we encourage consumers to get involved with politics and with advocacy to protect the rights of people with disabilities. ILRC holds legislative forums and has frequent contact with local and state leaders on issues relating to disabilities.
Advocacy Concerns Team in Action (ACTA) meetings
2nd and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. at ILRC.

The Advocacy Concerns Team in Action (ACTA) is a group of citizens with or without disabilities who take action to promote equal access for individuals with disabilities to all services, programs, activities, resources and facilities in society whether public or private. Serve as an Advisory team for Independent Living Resource Center's Board of Directors. ACTA meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month with transportation providers and other guest such as legislators and community leaders. ACTA also meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month to work on Action Items such as writing letters to legislators and develop agenda items. Anyone is invited to attend and if special accommodations are required, please call at least a week prior to the meeting.

For more information, contact the ILS Department for more information at (316) 942-6300 or by email at bwilson@ilrcks.org.

Deinstitutionalization
Deinstitutionalization is considered the 5th Core Service in Kansas. ILRC is a supporter of the Olmstead Law and advocates for its full implementation in Kansas. Olmstead Law states that the funding that is available to support people with disabilities in nursing homes should be available to pay for community supports that allow people with disabilities to live in their community.


ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Medical Equipment Recycling Network (MERN)

ILRC operates a medical equipment loan program called the Medical Equipment Recycling Network (MERN). MERN is a donation and loan program designed to help individuals with disabilities obtain medical equipment that is vital to maintain their health and independence. There is no cost to individuals who receive items through MERN.

MERN provides access to new and/or used equipment to those in need through the generous donations of hospitals, private agencies and citizens. All donations of new or used medical equipment to MERN are tax-deductible and help a person with a disability to stay independent.
Equipment should be in good condition and require only minimal repairs. The medical equipment that is most frequently requested:
• Wheelchairs
• Walkers
• Commodes
• Stool Risers
• Shower Chairs
• Folding Walkers

Employment Preparation Skills
Through a grant with Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS), ILRC provides job preparation training for clients referred from KRS. In this program, consumers will explore employment options, discover what it takes to be successfully employed, and receive training to prepare for a job search.

Disability Resource Library
ILRC maintains information on many disability issues, including subscriptions to many disability magazines and research journals. Consumers and members of the community can access this information for their personal knowledge or for research. For more information, please contact ILRC.

To find out more about Independent Living services or to speak to a Consumer Advocate about your needs, please contact the ILS department at ILRC.

Community Education

Community Presentations and Training
ILRC can provide community presentations on many topics related to disability issues.

Topics can include:
• History of the Independent Living Movement and Mission of ILRC
• Living and Working with a Disability
• Reasonable Accommodations in Today's Workplace
• Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities
• Americans with Disability Act (ADA) General Information
• Disability Awareness
• Advocacy for People with Disabilities
• Women and Disabilities

Contact Sandy for more information at (316) 942-6300 or by email at sevans@ilrcks.org.


Home & Community Based Services

Home and Community Based Services Physical Disability Waiver (HCBS/PD)

Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) provides Independent Living Counseling and Case Management under the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program for the Physical Disability (PD) waiver.

To participate in the HCBS/PD program the following eligibility guidelines must be met. You must:
• Be 16 - 65 years of age
• Be determined physically disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Require personal assistance with the normal rhythms of a typical day
• Meet Medicaid Long-term Care Threshold criteria
• Have a Kan Be Healthy screening if under age 21
• Meet the financial guidelines to qualify for Medicaid
• Persons with disabilities based on mental illness or developmental disability, including mental retardation, do not quality for this program.

Services provided under the HCBS/PD Waiver through ILRC
• Assessment to determine eligibility for PD Waiver
• Independent Living Counseling/Case Management to determine services available based upon the disability and the need
• Assistance locating and utilizing services in the community, including services offered through ILRC
• Authorization of Personal Attendant Care services
• Approval for assistive services, such as transportation and medical equipment.
To find out more about the Physical Disability waiver, please contact the HCBS Department at ILRC.

Home and Community Based Services Head Injury Waiver (HI)
Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) provides support and resources for individuals with a Traumatic Brain Injury under the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program for the Head Injury (HI) waiver.
To be eligible for the HCBS/HI program the following guidelines must be met. You must be:
• Age 18 - 55
• Have an external traumatically acquired non-degenerative, structural brain injury resulting in residual deficits and disability.

Services provided by ILRC under the HCBS/HI waiver
Targeted Case Management, which manages services available under the waiver such as:
• Night Support
• Medical Attendants
• Non-Medical Attendants
• Medical Alert
• Durable Medical Equipment
• Drug and Alcohol Therapy
• Home Modifications
• Transitional Living Skills, provided under the guidance of a Transitional Living Specialist (TLS)
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Cognitive Therapy
• Behavior Therapy

To find out more about the Head Injury waiver, please contact a specialist in the Head Injury department at ILRC.


Personal Attendant Services (PAS)

The Personal Attendant Services (PAS) program at ILRC assists individuals with disabilities in obtaining self-directed, non-medical, in-home personal attendant services through one of the State Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers or through private payment arrangements.

The PAS program at ILRC provides services under the following Medicaid HCBS Waivers:
• Physical Disability (PD) Waiver
• Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver
• Head Injury (HI) Waiver
• Mental Retardation/Developmental Disability (MR/DD) Waiver

An individual who chooses to self-direct their personal care controls who provides the assistance, how the assistance is provided and when the services take place. The PAS program helps to maximize the independence of the person requiring assistance.

A Personal Attendant (PA) is an individual who assists a person with a disability in performing the activities of daily living, such as getting out of bed, bathing, toileting, personal hygiene, dressing, preparing meals, housecleaning, shopping, errands, transportation, leisure activities - whatever is appropriate and needed.

If you choose to self-direct your services, your Advocate at the ILRC Personal Assistance Services Department will provide the following supports:

• Personal Assistant Management Information - we provide information on how to recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise and terminate the employment of PAs.
• Registry of Attendants - we update and maintain a registry of prospective PAs along with the types of duties they can and cannot do.
• Individualized Services - your PAS Advocate at ILRC will talk with you about issues that are important to your care; help you troubleshoot when you are having difficulties; and are available to answer questions that you or your PA might have.
• Background checks on all new PAs, when required or requested.

Benefits to Personal Attendants at ILRC

• ILRC pays your PA a competitive hourly wage including bonuses and incentives for service longevity.
• ILRC deducts and submits to the IRS all federal and state taxes as required by law.
• ILRC pays the employer share of Social Security and worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance premiums.
• ILRC maintains employment files and pay records for Pas
• Direct deposit is available
• Weekly Pay

How to access the PAS program at ILRC
Any person with a disability who wishes to self-direct their personal care needs, can access the Personal Attendant Services (PAS) program at ILRC.

To access payroll services, consumers must meet Medicaid Long-term Care criteria, have a Medical Card, and be eligible for one of the HCBS Waivers, as determined by the State of Kansas Rehabilitation Services. Individuals can also choose to private pay for these services.
There has never been a better time to explore the benefits of having ILRC assist with your personal care needs. Contact the Personal Attendant Services Department for more information.