Create meaningful connections in the community.

If you are ready to live...your life, your way...

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

The legislative session is upon us. Last week I met with Governor Brownback , Lt. Governor Colyer and the new Secretary of SRS Rob Siedlecki regarding the upcoming budget and vision for persons with disabilities. I was greatly encouraged that they requested the meeting. There were 14 people there representing every disability group in the state. The overall message from the new administration is that they want to work cooperatively with us, drastically cut the cost of Medicaid and increase the quality of services.

What do I think this means for communityworks inc and Minds Matter LLC? It means we have been heading in the right direction for a long time and we can continue to be a model agency in the State of Kansas. We have been working on diversifying funding for the past 2 years so our services are applicable to anyone who wants to get out or stay out of an institution. That automatically translates to decreased costs to the State and an increase in quality because people are in control of their own services. 

Our accomplishments over the past year testify to our dedication to making sure people have the opportunity to live where they want to live. By utilizing Money Follows the Person (MFP) and regular TBI (traumatic brain injury) funding we supported more than 38 people to leave institutions. By working closely with Kansas Rehabilitation Services we assisted more than 12 people to become employed and no longer need services. By getting the word out about the WORK and Working Healthy Programs we made sure those who are working and still need assistance decreased their client obligation, continued to have choice of their staff and had jobs. These are but a few of the great accomplishments we have garnered over the past year.

In setting the direction for 2011, the vision is threefold. First, we must get to all of the new legislators (more than 30 who have never served in this capacity) to educate, educate and educate about the importance of providing the services that assist people to get back to work and no longer need government assistance. This message needs to be clear to the new administration as well. We need to look at all of our funding options and focus on the ones that truly allow us to help people become independent. And finally, we need to continue to support our excellent staff throughout our offices, to do the best work possible.

My professional direction will be to meet with every legislator possible to share our work. I will be looking for people who want to tell their stories to join me in this effort. I will also continue to meet with Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) to advocate for increased funding for Personal Attendants. And finally, I will continue to work with staff on finding ways to do our work effectively, efficiently and electronically.

communityworks inc receives first Governor’s Excellence Award

Topeka, KS; Nov 15, 2010. Governor Mark Parkinson and Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Don Jordan presented Kansas’ first-annual 2010 Governor’s Excellence Awards to communityworks inc at a ceremony in the Kansas Statehouse today. The award recognizes communityworks inc for their exceptional commitment to assisting and empowering Kansans with disabilities.

“Just a few short months ago, I was honored to establish these awards and pay tribute to those who devote their time and their energy to helping individuals with disabilities thrive in their communities,” said Parkinson. “These extraordinary Kansans are a testament to our state’s commitment to providing the utmost care and support to our citizens.”

The Governor’s Excellence Awards recognized communityworks inc “for exhibiting a strong ability as an Agency to Help Individuals with Disabilities Achieve Self-Sufficiency Through Independent Living Skills and Individualized Employment.”

Communityworks inc was founded by Dr. Janet M. Willliams in 1991 to assist people with brain injuries and other disabilities.  The team has developed a model that gives control back to the individual with a disability by coordinating community services with one comprehensive tailored plan. Service locations include Topeka, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Kansas City, Overland Park and surrounding areas.

“Over the years, Kansas has developed a statewide network of provider organizations and individuals committed to the state’s vision of community and home-based care and support of individuals with disabilities,” said Jordan. “Today’s honorees represent the finest of this commitment which empowers those with disabilities to live active, independent and fully engaged lives.”

Governor Parkinson established the Governor’s Excellence Awards through Executive Order 10-09 to be awarded annually. The secretary of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services received all nominations before submitting them to the governor for a final decision. Other disability service providers that were nominated for each category were also recognized by the governor and the secretary.

Upon hearing the announcement of the recognition, consumers and professionals who have worked with communityworks inc shared their thoughts:

“They made my dreams come true. communityworks inc helped me move from a nursing home to my OWN home. People say it’s impossible, but they get it done. I take my hat off to them.” Bob Kania, of Lawrence, KS.

“We change individuals’ and families’ views of themselves as capable and contributing members when we take the approach that communityworks inc takes to support an otherwise vulnerable population. They expect the individuals and families they serve to be competent, successful and contributing members of their neighborhoods and towns.” Winnie Dunn PhD OTR FAOTA

Professor, University of Kansas

                                                            ###

Happy Birthday Brain Injury Association of America

The Brain Injury Association of America is 30 years old today. I wouldn't be where I am right now without the support and love of Marilyn Price Spivack. She started it all and continues to be an inspiration to me. Thank you for your vision and passion Marilyn. 

I could tell thousands of stories about my 4 years at the National Head Injury Foundation, now the Brain Injury Association of America. The three greatest things that I learned while at the NHIF are: 1) The family is there forever, no matter what form, for the duration, 2) it's about relationships, 3) people want to live in their own home and may need a hand up, but certainly not a hand out. 

Here's to another 30 years x 10.

New Services

This week has been another exciting week at communityworks inc. While everyone is out doing our great work, we have received approval to provide case management for the FE (frail elder) waiver and we've received approval to provide services from the VA for services members with brain injuries. It took many hours to make this happen and I want to express appreciation to our staff. Things are never dull here and change is constant. Thankfully, it's in the right direction.

Where do we fit?

I was in Alaska last week presenting to a group of people about our philosophy of supporting people to have control over their own lives in Kansas. Based on the comments of the people who came up after the talk, people are very curious about what we are doing. Of course, it's difficult to describe our work in 45 minutes or less so I mostly stick to stories that people have given me permission to share.

The more word has spread about what we are doing, the more push back I've been getting about "taking people out of programs" as if that could never be in the person's best interest. I am now convinced that the more people protest the more they are threatened by what we are doing.

In my world, rehabilitation is 5% of a person's life and the "learning to live a with a brain injury" part is the other 95%. Life experience is everyone's best teacher and setting people up to succeed at home can never be a bad choice. The focus needs to be on the best ways to help people to live with their own disability. Hm, that sounds a lot like a program to me.

Next week we are off on a personal journey to Kenya. I will posting mostly on my Facebook page and might have some stories to share here as well. I would appreciate comments here or on my FB page.

Stay cool,
janet