tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52574215971000221132024-03-13T06:07:46.020-07:00Community MattersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-77195788576233070192015-09-08T11:52:00.001-07:002015-09-08T12:26:03.356-07:00Reinventing your life with your Occupational Therapist<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A pet peeve for Occupational Therapists (OT) in the world of Rehab is when someone who is not an occupational therapist says, "Oh, the OT helps you with upper extremity exercises, cooking and learning how to take a bath and get dressed." OTs do these things and a whole lot more. The best description of Occupational Therapy comes right from the OT program at the University of Kansas: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Occupational therapy helps people improve their ability to perform tasks in living and working environments. It's a science-driven profession that enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and live actively with illness, injury or disability.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a perfect description of the way an OT develops supports and strategies for people with brain injuries in the community. I once had someone tell me they didn't think a woman named Sasha could make improvements because her brain injury was too severe, she couldn't list 3 goals she had for rehab and she didn't want to go out of the house because she knew people would stare. My immediate response was to send in an OT to work with Sasha. Here are the 5 things that happened: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. The OT was able to help Sasha understand that it is natural to be afraid to go out into the community for the first time after such a big event and that it can feel like everyone is staring but it takes practice to overcome both. They decided to break things down into manageable steps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. The OT got Sasha out into the community for the first time since her brain injury. The OT was able to offer reassurance that she would help Sasha be safe (not fall), figure how what she could do (assess strengths) and have fun (live life to the fullest). Their first time out was a walk to the car and a ride to the store. They sat in the parking lot watching people and Sasha decided that was enough for one day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Sasha was able to identify a few things she loves to do like make bracelets, cook Indian food and do yoga. All three seemed beyond her capability (to her and to her physician) but the OT decided to help address all 3 goals. They involved not only upper extremities and functional movement but also included cognitive skills like planning, problem solving and reasoning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. The OT was able to translate to the case manager and insurance company why these goals are medically necessary and would lead to a more independent lifestyle for Sasha. Being able to "medical speak" is a wonderful attribute of OT's who are also able to live in the real world of every day language. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. The OT was able to help Sasha set goals, achieve those goals and believe in herself. She took the bracelet making, cooking and yoga well beyond those goals and Sasha is now employed in a field she had not experienced before her brain injury. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, when in doubt, always call the Occupational Therapist in to help with a fresh perspective on living life to the fullest. OTs have a great vantage point on the social, emotional, cognitive and physical in a way that helps each individual develop their own plan for achieving goals. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-17412019337430709532015-06-29T06:21:00.001-07:002015-08-10T10:03:02.913-07:00Navigating Home<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone can live at home, no matter the significance of disability. Three critical components to make that happen are significant social support, advocacy and resources. Thankfully Kansas has been a forward thinking state in this regard for many years. They have even passed laws making it a right to live at home and not in a facility. The recently designed KanCare system has not changed the constellation of services available, just how you access them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When a significant incident happens forcing you to rely on disability or public assistance, you are forced to deal with the daunting medical issues and decisions while being expected to figure out how to traverse the many steps to get home. The first step in the process is applying for disability. Below is a chart that was developed between Stormont Vail Hospital and Minds Matter LLC to help people navigate the disability and eligibility maze. This is a necessary step in the process to get in home services and supports after brain injury. If you are starting this process from the hospital, the social worker can help you get started. If you are starting this process from another place, like a rehab facility, nursing home, or from home, you can utilize Minds Matter LLC to get started. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steps to getting on the Traumatic Brain Injury waiver in Kansas. </td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Know that there will be many stops and starts along the way and be ready to advocate for what you and your family need. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep a notebook with all names, numbers and conversations. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Call, email and follow up with every resource you can find. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't take no as the final answer. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebrate the successes. Every time you move over another hurdle, celebrate. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Move on from defeat quickly and take another avenue. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Identify a role for everyone in your network and check in frequently. For example, if someone is great with the medical system, have that person be the advocate and interpreter with medical professionals. If someone else is great at communicating, have them use social media to keep people posted on progress and how they can help. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find other families who have navigated the way home. Ask the social worker, reach out via social media or call your local Brain Injury Association to ask for the names of other families who have made it home. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never give up. There are many roads home. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feel free to give us a call to help you navigate through the system. We will not do it for you, but we will help you with next steps and tips on what has worked for others. Check out our website at www.mindsmatterllc.com or give us a call at </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Open Sans, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">(866) 429-6757 to ask someone well versed in this process for help. </span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-72419853680409545782015-05-12T10:54:00.000-07:002015-05-12T12:25:08.018-07:00The role of a speech therapist on your journey to inclusion<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember the first time I sat in on a team meeting about someone who was receiving speech therapy at the rehab hospital where I worked. I was a recently hired social worker who had just graduated from college so I was sure I knew everything. I knew the person we were talking about well. We met weekly to talk about her desire to go home. She was articulate, bright and had no issue telling me what was on her mind. I sat in the team meeting wondering why she needed speech therapy. 'She speaks so well,' I thought. The speech therapist gave a 15 minute report and detailed the reasoning, judgement, problem solving and memory issues they were working on. I was mesmerized by the techniques they were using to address upcoming functional issues the person would address when she went home. From then on, I spent as much time as possible with each of the speech therapists at our rehab and learned about communication, every cognitive challenge after brain injury and fascinating ways to help people improve their functioning. I began to believe everyone with any cognitive- communication issues needed a speech therapist on their team. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward a few years later when I became immersed in believing that everyone has a place in the community. I met a great man named Dr. Mark Ylvisaker, a speech language pathologist, who continues to have a profound impact on our work here in Kansas. He gave voice to the need for positive everyday routines for people living in the community, no matter the significance of their disability. He believed that everything we say or do is a form of communication. I specifically learned the most from him about how behavior is an important form of communication. Our job is to help people find ways, through every day routines, to effectively communicate what they need. We find that the transformation that happens when people are able to have control over their daily routines and communicate their needs more effectively, positive behaviors result and negative behaviors go away. We, at Minds Matter, still use Mark's work, across therapy teams, to support positive every day routines. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Ylvisaker, and all other speech language pathologists, have taught me that the role of a speech therapist goes well beyond "speaking well" and swallowing. The speech therapist plays a vital role on any team helping assess, and implement plans that address all facets of cognitive functioning. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have 9 speech language pathologists at Minds Matter LLC who each have a different approach with the same goal, to support every day routines in the community whether it be using a communication device (see Grant's story), learning to manage their aphasia, learning to communicate in a positive way, or implementing any of a myriad of cognitive strategies to be successful away from professional help. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Ylvisaker passed away May 23, 2009. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Over the course of his 35 year career, Mark gained worldwide distinction for his ground-breaking approaches to brain injury rehabilitation and his clinical work with children and adolescents with disabilities, assisting programs in all 50 states and over 15 countries in the development of innovative services. He was known and respected throughout the world for his boundless optimism and his passionate commitment to his work, to the people he supported, and for his unique ability to help individuals with disabilities, families, and professionals overcome barriers and achieve success in life.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here is a link to a great interview Dr. Ylvisaker did in 2007. It amplifies his belief that formal testing can be very limiting and thinking across disciplines is critical in helping people be successful after brain injury:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.internationalbrain.org/articles/on-neurorehabilitation-a-conversation-with-mark-ylvisaker-phd/</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-12990741187841092502015-02-05T13:30:00.000-08:002015-02-05T13:30:12.523-08:00 Community Inclusion after Brain Injury: busting myths, revealing reality<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin-left: -2px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 2px;">
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<b>Community Inclusion after Brain Injury</b></div>
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<b><i>busting myths, revealing reality</i></b></div>
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by Janet M. Williams, PhD</div>
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president, <i>communityworks, inc.</i></div>
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When Joe was 18 years old, he was involved in a nearly fatal car wreck. In a race against time, a life flight team transported him to the nearest trauma center. His chances of survival were uncertain, but his diagnosis was clear: Joe had experienced a significant brain injury. </div>
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As his loved ones worried and waited, Joe began to emerge from the coma. He was assigned a case manager – a person who represented the interests of the insurance provider. Joe’s journey had begun. He was directed to various "treatment" programs that pledged to maximize his rehabilitation potential. One year after his injury, the insurance company determined that Joe had achieved all he was capable of achieving. He was sent to a center designed specifically for people with brain injuries. His bills would be paid by Medicaid. According to the insurance provider, the best possible outcome had been achieved. Joe didn’t agree. Joe wasn’t satisfied with this outcome and he wanted more options. He wanted to decide for himself – and he wanted to return home. Sadly, Joe’s fate was based on myths that limit opportunities.</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Myth One</i>: People with brain injuries must be fixed before they can return home.</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>The Reality</i></span><i>.</i> The traditional medical model approach for providing services for people with brain injuries is inadequate in supporting self-sufficiency and community membership. The current service system focuses on "fixing" individuals through the use of deficit- based assessment and planning (Williams, 2008). It is grounded in the notion that individuals living with brain injuries require intervention before they can "earn" the right to re-enter the community. The constellation of deficits becomes the reason to keep people in protected environments, often at great financial and emotional cost to the person, family and society. An overwhelming number of requests from people who wish to make the transition back home are ignored. Instead, they are redirected to nursing homes and other long term care institutions. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Myth Two:</i> People with brain injuries only have one productive year of recovery. After a year: "what you see is what you get."</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>The Reality.</i></span> All too often, medical professionals stop recommending rehabilitation after a person reaches the one-year anniversary of a brain injury. While many people may experience rapid, remarkable progress the first year, progress continues well beyond that time. In fact, it often takes a year for the person to advance to a place where they can develop insight into what has happened and begin to establish their goals for moving forward. It is at this time that individuals’ interest and desire to participate in rehabilitation ignite. The one-year mark is often a place in the journey where people begin to realize new possibilities. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Myth Three</i>: Case managers always work for the patient</span>. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>The Reality.</i></span><i> </i>The truth is that case managers are often juggling competing interests. That’s not a bad thing; it’s just a reality. Case managers must acknowledge that they must balance the rights of their patients/ clients with the payer source. When a case manager acknowledges the competing interests, he or she can move forward with advocacy that recognizes the needs and goals of both parties – the patient as well as the payer source. Ultimately, their role is to "manage the case" by facilitating a win/win outcome for everyone. It is critical for case managers to disclose who they’re being paid by and to explain the rights of an individual to appeal any recommendations that are made. In an environment of scarce resources, case managers can best assist people by ensuring that available resources are used to attain the goals of the individual, as much as the payer. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Myth Four</i>: The best rehabilitation happens in a post-acute rehabilitation hospital. </span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>The Reality.</i></span> The best rehabilitation happens in a setting where the individual is most likely to reach his or her immediate goals. The optimal setting should be suited to the individual’s stage in the recovery process. For example, if a person has significant physical needs and requires advanced equipment, a post-acute setting can be ideal. If a person needs to relearn daily living skills, rehabilitation is most beneficial when it occurs at home. By participating in regular routines with the support of rehabilitation professionals, individuals can make progress in a real world environment. Unfortunately, going home is often viewed as the end of the line for many rehabilitation services. All too often, "family education" is offered as a substitute. An entire industry of family-coping-after-brain- injury resources has evolved. If a longitudinal study examining the true cost of sending people home when they are "done" (as mandated by a payer source) were conducted, it would likely reveal some surprising findings. The cost of readmission to medical settings, mental health services and other system interventions is far greater than one would imagine. In contrast, by supporting people at home by providing services needed for self-sufficiency and community membership, there’s a significant long-term savings. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Myth Five</i>: Group homes are community based services</span>. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>The Reality. </i></span>Group homes and other congregate living centers are not "of" the community if they are owned or operated by the same agency that provides the services. If a person can change service providers while remaining in the same living situation, they are not bound by the rules of the provider. Individuals who live independently in a home that they choose have true choice of providers. They are viewed and treated as customers - not commodities. Being "of" the community means being able to live in your own home or your family's home. It means being a friend, neighbor or coworker, not a recipient of services. </div>
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These five myths begin to challenge the dominant paradigm in the field of brain injury. What if there was an alternative perspective? Perhaps there is. Instead of “fixing” a person and sending him or her home, it’s time to consider reversing the sequence. What if individuals who experience serious brain injury were able to go home and work with therapists in familiar surroundings to relearn skills and adapt to changes? By resuming daily routines and defining their own lifestyle goals, the journey to a rewarding and meaningful life just may become a little less arduous. Throughout the rehabilitation process, it’s imperative that we focus on strengths, not deficits and on goals set by the person, not the professional. </div>
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By revealing these realities we can begin to hope that individuals like Joe who experience serious brain injuries will be able to live their life, their way – engaged in the community and the things they want to accomplish. The reality is that Joe and others in similar situations deserve the opportunity to chart their own course and create their own future.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-70728312734381639112014-09-14T13:19:00.001-07:002014-09-14T13:19:31.071-07:00Community Matters: Social Capital the Key to finding a Job<a href="http://communityworksinc.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-capital-key-to-finding-job.html?spref=bl">Community Matters: Social Capital the Key to finding a Job</a>: Joe experienced a brain injury in a car wreck. When he finally made it home after numerous rehab stays, he had a cognitive therapist and ind...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-42479117548582234022014-09-13T18:01:00.000-07:002014-09-13T18:01:56.521-07:00Social Capital the Key to finding a Job<span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Joe experienced a brain injury in a car wreck. When he finally made it home after numerous rehab stays, he had a cognitive therapist and independent living skills specialist he met with on a regular basis. When he wanted to update his goals and talk about his progress, they would meet at the local donut shop. These meetings went on monthly, and sometimes he would meet with staff there individually as well. After 3 months, Joe said he was ready for a job. He approached the manager at the donut shop who immediately said, “You know, I have seen you in here a lot and a few times I thought about offering you a job.” Joe is now working 20-30 hours a week and no longer has staff.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2013 the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 82.4%. That means only 17.6% of people with disabilities have jobs. The human service industry spends billions of dollars each year to help people get back to work. So how are we doing?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Thankfully, many people in the human service field have discovered the power and potency of social capital. Social Capital is a construct developed to look at the relationships between people in communities. Originally measured without asking about disability, the research found that those people with more social capital (friends and connections) were happier, healthier and lived longer. Social Capital is what got Joe his job, not a human service professional telling the manager about all of Joe’s deficits and problems. Joe was familiar to the manager as a guy who frequents the donut shop, not someone who was brought in there to find a job.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The best place to start when talking to someone about finding a job is to explore their already familiar relationships and things they like to do. Mary likes to make bracelets and goes to the craft store frequently? How about a job at the craft store? Joe likes to play the guitar and hang out in coffee shops? How about working at the coffee shop? If you start with a person’s passions and places they frequent you will make your job as coach and support a lot easier. You will also find that people are successful because they are doing something they are passionate about and had ownership in discovering.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-59033732358466765762014-09-08T17:54:00.001-07:002014-09-08T18:03:28.512-07:00Whatever it takesYesterday, which was Sunday, one of my staff spent the day at the jail. A woman we work with was arrested for a minor infraction, which soon became a really big deal because she was off her medication and hit a police officer. She has been in jail for 4 weeks. She is struggling to contact her court appointed attorney, isn't on any of her meds and is worried sick about her cat. When the staff person held her business card up against the window, the woman started to cry. When she held up a note and said her cat was okay, she started visibly sobbing and shaking with relief. We know she is in dire straits because she has met the staff person a few times before and always knew her name but didn't recognize her. It is a bad situation. We are grateful to be able to do what we can to help.<br />
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If you are in human services and have a passion for this work, this is who you are and what you do. We can't bill anyone for that time. We don't need to. The doors are open and our money comes from the services we can bill to provide. It is part of what we signed up to do when we said we would do "whatever it takes" to help people live in their own home. </div>
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In our new world of managed care, that is called a value added service. When we work with people there are a lot of value added services we provide. Not everyone likes all of them. We are noticing that some of the case managers with the insurance companies don't always want us involved. Perhaps they don't understand how this benefits people. Perhaps they don't want people watching. Or perhaps they just don't see the difference between what we do and what they are supposed to be doing. I also know what we do can be seen as a message that the insurance case manager isn't doing their job. That couldn't be further from the truth. We fully understand the constraints of having a clear line between what can and cannot be done. We are trying to fill the gaps. We are slowly limping toward a partnership that will work for everyone. I spend a lot of time thinking about those relationships and, in the end, I believe our intent will be recognized. It is the most amazing partnership when it works well. </div>
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People often ask me how managed care is working for us. When I say it is going well, they look at me suspiciously. Is there something I am holding back? If I have complaints about managed care, they are the same complaints any healthcare provider would have about working with insurance companies. The paperwork, changing policies and trying to figure out how each insurance company is interpreting the guidelines of a program we have worked with for 21 years, takes up much too much of my time. We are mostly at their mercy. I look forward to the day, and I know it will come, that I won't have to spend days sending endless emails asking about very small details that affect payment and services. And wait for replies. </div>
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So what's the upside? We get to go to the jail and the courthouse and the homeless shelter and the nursing home to get people out, we get to love what we do. We get to help people find a job at Dunkin' Donuts, get a car and get off Medicaid. We get to see someone communicate for the first time with his wife via his new Tobii that we fought hard for to be purchased. We get to try and fail, and try again. We get to have amazing relationships with our coworkers and clients, creating community. And that is why we signed up for this work. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-90854559434161786142014-08-26T00:54:00.002-07:002014-08-26T19:50:29.812-07:00Do you want to live at home?<div class="post-heading" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-458" src="http://www.mindsmatterllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/iStock_000005612658XSmall-200x300.jpg" height="300" scale="0" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" />There’s no place like home – especially for individuals who have experienced extended stays in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. We understand your desire to return home and we’ll work with you to make it happen.</div>
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Minds Matter LLC believes everyone can create a meaningful life in their community and we have been helping people do so for more than twenty years. We can help you reinvent your surroundings so it’s possible to live, work and play comfortably and capably in your community. We begin by learning about your needs and challenges along with your goals and dreams. Then, we assess your environment and identify obstacles that may stand in the way of success. A few minor changes – added equipment, structural changes and assistive technology – can make a big difference as you pursue your goals.</div>
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Independent living doesn’t mean living in isolation or doing everything on your own. It means having opportunities to make lifestyle choices – the same kinds of opportunities that other members of your community enjoy.</div>
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Sometimes it’s necessary to learn new approaches or strategies for accomplishing tasks. Our team will work with you to identify barriers and create solutions that work.</div>
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Here are some questions to begin the process:</div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What daily routines and tasks are important to me?</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is my home safe and comfortable?</li>
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<img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-459" src="http://www.mindsmatterllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/iStock_000009545984XSmall-300x227.jpg" height="227" scale="0" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" />With the aid of specialized devices and equipment, it’s possible to perform a wide range of tasks. Individuals who face challenges with mobility, communication or management of household responsibilities can increase their independence with assistive technology.</div>
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What do you want to accomplish? Our therapists will work with you to make it happen.</div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If there’s an activity, a hobby or an employment opportunity that you wish to pursue, we can help you overcome the obstacles you encounter.</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We listen to your goals, assess your current abilities and then recommend equipment or technology that will take you where you want to go.</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With training, practice and the right equipment, it’s possible to rise above perceived limitations and take charge of your life.</li>
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<span style="font-family: Open Sans, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Kansas has a great program called Money Follows the Person. You can receive funds to move from a skilled nursing facility to your own home. You can also have assessments and modifications to make your new place accessible. Give us a call today so we can assist you in your journey home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Open Sans, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">You can reach us at </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">(866) 429-6757</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-67369615288042599162014-04-05T12:59:00.000-07:002014-08-26T00:46:42.154-07:00<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-29489041725083209932012-08-26T08:11:00.002-07:002012-08-26T08:11:54.272-07:00Remembering and Reinventing: Back to Basics.It's hard to believe it has been 21 years since I lived in a loft in City Market with my two Yorkies, Lulu and Billy Ray. I'd wake early and head out the door with my bag phone (prehistoric iPhone) and my notebook. I didn't always have a schedule, just a list of people to see and places to go.<br />
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Between meetings at homes across the city, I'd pull over at the side of the road and retrieve the messages from my $8 answering machine that sat on the kitchen counter of my loft. "Hi, my name is Mary and I am in a nursing home in Olathe. Susan said to call you because you could get me out," or "I am a social worker at the Rehab and I heard you could help me with a discharge," or "This is Jill and I am looking for work as an attendant." It wasn't uncommon to have 70 messages a day.<br />
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It took two years to realize I needed to formalize things a bit. I needed a name for my company, Corporation papers and a bank account. I applied for the requisite home health license (with no nurse needed) and provider numbers to categorize what I did so I could pay the rent and buy food for Lulu and Billy. Until then I pretty much existed on a few consulting contracts and my part time job as a student at the University of Kansas.<br />
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Fast forward 21 years and a lot of things have happened. There are now two companies, one for case management and one for therapies; we've morphed up to 700 employees and back down to 150. We've lived through 10% Medicaid cuts, a few recessions, and many administrations. We have won awards: Provider of Excellence in Kansas in 2011; National American Brain Injury Society Clinical Award 2010 and named by the University of Toronto for the Top 12 programs in the World for Community Integration of People with Brain Injuries. And the beat goes on, still supporting people to get their lives back and move on.<br />
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People ask if we are going to survive and I have to laugh. We have already survived. We have helped over 3,000 people move out of nursing homes, hospitals, rehabs, get jobs and move on. We aren't going anywhere.<br />
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Admittedly, it is time to reinvent. Last week it was finally confirmed that the three managed care companies would be providing all case management for the Home and Community Based waivers in Kansas. That is a huge change for us, given we have 23 case managers supporting over 600 people right now. Disassembling our amazing system is far more difficult than it was to build it and those who have been involved in building it, know it was a mammoth task. I don't allow myself to spend much time thinking about the number of relationships that will be affected by this change. I do know it's those relationships that will get us through.<br />
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We are working through our own plan to work with the MCOs and the State of Kansas to make sure no one goes one day without a case manager. We are also committed to making sure that no case manager goes without a job. Of course, we are working with moving deadlines and dates, none of which have been confirmed. Managed care is supposed to start January 1st. There are several deadlines along the way (still not clear the exact dates) that determine if the January 1st deadline will work. If it doesn't work, there is no published date or variables to determine next implementation dates. We know we need to be able to adjust to any twist in the road, as we have for 21 years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl08dhZXzPNO4IL1ED6Ns1PkCx6LDIB4WpArquZjBIGNb_mzxzcJiYwD3ydfP9_GpgN6ARxESJEYSYbwmz3ntSxZRSAVCP5yJPK2mKQIfItE2wLmwehZXSINX96O7_lbP034E2OMlJN3k/s1600/152629874840831187_mqV0Ddrp_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl08dhZXzPNO4IL1ED6Ns1PkCx6LDIB4WpArquZjBIGNb_mzxzcJiYwD3ydfP9_GpgN6ARxESJEYSYbwmz3ntSxZRSAVCP5yJPK2mKQIfItE2wLmwehZXSINX96O7_lbP034E2OMlJN3k/s1600/152629874840831187_mqV0Ddrp_b.jpg" /></a></div>
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Our reinventing means we focus on our great work of community based rehab. Our therapy and independent living skills model gives control back to the person and has amazing outcomes. We save the State of Kansas $21,000 per person, per month by providing up front, intense rehab in a person's own home and environment. That's managed care at it's best.<br />
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We will go back to one company, communityworks inc. We will ask people what outcomes they want to measure in their own lives, and we will educate the MCOs about the dangers of the medical model when imposed on the community. We will also continue to celebrate success, have fun and make sure we advocate for what people tell us they want.<br />
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We have a lot to offer and will get back to basics, focusing on one person at a time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-33778362870438681682011-08-19T17:39:00.000-07:002014-08-26T00:47:30.877-07:00Create meaningful connections in the community.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0Th7PTn1-Jw989GPeJlUI0WgsjZ17YEvCep2CypwjpDBPt745-nfzw8KsCQ5mdsYVrdnf0mM8-845YpYNSzeovJRBf7SR7wIAyet_9vSGpFPhewtpBPQaz9qO07SquATXbVM36xVMRY/s1600/postcard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0Th7PTn1-Jw989GPeJlUI0WgsjZ17YEvCep2CypwjpDBPt745-nfzw8KsCQ5mdsYVrdnf0mM8-845YpYNSzeovJRBf7SR7wIAyet_9vSGpFPhewtpBPQaz9qO07SquATXbVM36xVMRY/s320/postcard2.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-46971746117989391842011-08-19T17:37:00.000-07:002011-08-19T17:37:44.470-07:00If you are ready to live...your life, your way...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8FrOLzOA99LAdaPr02MPj23Voaf8Us9YOIg4DabByt1gJ04E_34NZa3riEvVbQJr0wtEtWGN6E1Y65ZctJxGaIl3PH5x1xDhBiOcmkEhnl2S0FCcz8rWepnBbtK1lpm5TN3Qr3ROvE4/s1600/postcard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8FrOLzOA99LAdaPr02MPj23Voaf8Us9YOIg4DabByt1gJ04E_34NZa3riEvVbQJr0wtEtWGN6E1Y65ZctJxGaIl3PH5x1xDhBiOcmkEhnl2S0FCcz8rWepnBbtK1lpm5TN3Qr3ROvE4/s320/postcard1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-2528705714764191322011-01-07T10:01:00.000-08:002011-01-07T10:01:03.298-08:00Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-85044518036709089102010-11-16T12:50:00.000-08:002010-11-16T12:50:36.209-08:00communityworks inc receives first Governor’s Excellence Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp_RW0LRx4GJEaEQ6kRYgE-tO4A9F4H92oO82vj1leGipvPVDKYJrN4xHprfg2KoWao3h2s3ltVYcUdsVQ99eCs6Jlz9JEy2Iviezny0jquKzx9qbZ9mjip-TwRofHLtqdCpsX8saTzA/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp_RW0LRx4GJEaEQ6kRYgE-tO4A9F4H92oO82vj1leGipvPVDKYJrN4xHprfg2KoWao3h2s3ltVYcUdsVQ99eCs6Jlz9JEy2Iviezny0jquKzx9qbZ9mjip-TwRofHLtqdCpsX8saTzA/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" width="248" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Topeka, KS; Nov 15, 2010</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">. 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“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.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Communityworks inc was founded by Dr. Janet M. Willliams in 1991 to assist people with brain injuries and other disabilities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team has developed a model that </span><span style="color: #434343; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">gives control back to the individual with a disability by <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">coordinating</span> community services <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">with one comprehensive tailored plan</span>. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Service locations include Topeka, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Kansas City, Overland Park and surrounding areas.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“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.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">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.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Upon hearing the announcement of the recognition, consumers and professionals who have worked with communityworks inc shared their thoughts:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“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.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“We change individuals’ and families’ views of themselves as capable and contributing members when we take the approach that <b><u>communityworks inc</u></b> 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.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Winnie Dunn PhD OTR FAOTA<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Professor, University of Kansas<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>###<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-8985743296870580882010-09-23T11:01:00.000-07:002010-09-23T11:01:41.364-07:00Happy Birthday Brain Injury Association of America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdlpAOHVjS8jYdxpfoT2aDIGjG7z9_b8G3S6twiNTpm9HlD-IgrdVbLpd-WIpYDvMkCIO5YMWVPTjreR7RZixe0-fNh9H6bixrPnD3ylk1dZ8__gilQAW44OL8fqEwBAG0hWIR9uBQBM/s1600/MSpivak_HS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdlpAOHVjS8jYdxpfoT2aDIGjG7z9_b8G3S6twiNTpm9HlD-IgrdVbLpd-WIpYDvMkCIO5YMWVPTjreR7RZixe0-fNh9H6bixrPnD3ylk1dZ8__gilQAW44OL8fqEwBAG0hWIR9uBQBM/s320/MSpivak_HS.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="UIStory_Message">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.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></h3><div><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. </span></span></div><div><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's to another 30 years x 10.</span></span></div><div><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-26481771915201636072010-08-06T12:56:00.000-07:002010-08-06T12:56:11.713-07:00New ServicesThis 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.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-60000948717369466242010-08-04T18:43:00.000-07:002010-08-04T18:43:53.445-07:00Where 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Stay cool,<br />
janetAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-22927755428193972912010-07-09T12:48:00.000-07:002010-07-09T12:48:41.949-07:00Friday update for the week of 7/5-7/9<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img alt="logo.jpg" height="53" id="Picture_x0020_0" src="http://email09.secureserver.net/download.php?rand=329193&folder=INBOX&uid=8&part=2&tnef_part=-1&aEmlPart=0&orig=cid%3Aimage003.jpg%4001CB1F74.BA3A4740&inline=1&filename=image003.jpg&type=image%2Fjpeg&encoding=base64&" wbeuser="janetw@communityworksinc.com" width="383" /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here is the Friday update for the week of 7/5-7/9<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ATTN:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> There is a consumer who is desperately in need of a computer desk. If you or anyone you know has one to contribute, please contact Lynne at <a href="mailto:lynnew@mindsmatter.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">lynnew@mindsmatter.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Check out the new website!</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt;">J</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Still <a href="http://communityworksinc.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">communityworksinc.com</a>. Remember: once the website went up, TLS emails stopped being in existence. Now, all of the events and news will be up on the website, and the latest resource updates will be updated in Janet’s blog. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">*Remember to send me any additions or changes for the website by next Friday, July 16!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here are a couple of resources we’ve gathered this week:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.advancedirectivellc.com/advanced_directives_by_state.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">https://www.advancedirectivellc.com/advanced_directives_by_state.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.mobar.org/99b8baa9-d44d-4756-9b40-fcdf1dd91ceb.aspx" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.mobar.org/99b8baa9-d44d-4756-9b40-fcdf1dd91ceb.aspx</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">NIJC: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.immigrantjustice.org/programs/programs/programs.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.immigrantjustice.org/programs/programs/programs.html</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">National Alliance for Hispanic Health</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: they provide health education, health news, political advocacy, support in both languages, and resources<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.hispanichealth.org/resource/help.aspx" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.hispanichealth.org/resource/help.aspx</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">National Immigration Law Center (NILC):</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Defend the rights of immigrants; policy analysis and advocacy; impact litigation; building coalitions and capacity; trainings and much more!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;"><span>·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">DREAM ACT: HS education for undocumented; provides updates and rights for education and tuition rates<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;"><span>·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Employment and workers rights for undocumented<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;"><span>·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Public benefits –what they have access to and understanding their rights<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.nilc.org/immlawpolicy/index.htm" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.nilc.org/immlawpolicy/index.htm</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Documented immigrants (not citizens) health insurance options</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.immigrant-health-insurance.com/?source=google" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.immigrant-health-insurance.com/?source=google</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Healthcare Volunteer:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> free healthcare for anyone under Federal Poverty level<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://healthcarevolunteer.com/patients/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://healthcarevolunteer.com/patients/</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shepherd’s Center of KC Central:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Friday educational activities for seniors (really low cost); Extreme Yard Rakeover (volunteers rake yards in Fall and Spring for physically and financially unable senior in JC and parts of KC); Friendly visitor (OP); Intergenerational Computer class (match a senior with a HS student); Caregiver Support-line (of seniors, provides support and referrals); Meals on Wheels; Medicare Advocate (call- free info and advice); Wheels that Care (volunteers provide free medical/grocery trips to seniors- parts of KC)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.sccentral.org/SiteResources/Data/Templates/t5.asp?docid=515&DocName=PROGRAMS" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.sccentral.org/SiteResources/Data/Templates/t5.asp?docid=515&DocName=PROGRAMS</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Gwen Marshall is the Volunteer Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*David Hooper is the Medicare Advocate<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Megan Ross is the Aging Specialist for Caregiver Support-line<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Home Health Agencies that take Medicaid: (confirmed by referral source)</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Interim Home Helpers 913-381-3100<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Integrity Home Care 816-254-3131<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Catholic Community Health Care: 913 433 2000<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Assured Health Care: 816-415-8200<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remember to keep on checking Janet’s blog for interesting and pertinent updates and information - <a href="http://communityworksinc.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://communityworksinc.blogspot.com/</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; position: relative;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-56660008792844288822010-07-09T12:03:00.000-07:002010-07-09T12:07:19.771-07:00communityworks website features great changeswww.communityworksinc.com has undergone a complete renovation. Still filled with stories, we have added many new features including:<div><br /></div><div>* A way to search our attendant care listing by county for people using our attendant care services</div><div><br /></div><div>* A calendar of events that is updated regularly</div><div><br /></div><div>* A link to this blog which will now include weekly staff resource updates</div><div><br /></div><div>* Faster and easier access to the website for staff email. </div><div><br /></div><div>* Job applications for attendant care and other positions online.</div><div><br /></div><div>And much, much more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please feel free to share it with others and I'd love to hear what you think about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Janet</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-74858308767061976692010-06-25T09:06:00.001-07:002010-06-25T09:06:24.075-07:00Lost Inside My Head<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(67, 67, 67); line-height: 21px; "><table class="contentpaneopen" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; width: 750px; "><tbody style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><tr style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><td class="contentheading" width="100%" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; height: 20px; font: normal normal bold 18px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); vertical-align: middle; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Lost Inside My Head</td></tr></tbody></table><table class="contentpaneopen" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; width: 750px; "><tbody style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><tr style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><td valign="top" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">By John Hoyt</strong></p><p style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">What a difference a few seconds can make. I fell two and a half stories off my roof and hit the crown of my head on a six foot 4x4 wooden post and then landed on a steel “T” post just under my right jaw which broke the jaw, two teeth, fractured the voice box and three vertebrae in my neck and stopped just a micro millimeter short of cutting the secondary vein to my brain, but I still threw a blood clot which caused a mini stroke.</p><p style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">That was October 31, 2000. Now I am 100% disabled with a TBI. The strange thing was that after the fall my family knew that something was wrong but the doc’s and everyone else were focusing on the facial and vertebrae damage and not on the brain itself. Consequently it took five years before I started to get some help and only after finding communityworks, inc. by default. The saddest part of all this is that I lost my thirty year marriage and strained or damaged all the relationships and foundations of my life taking all the blame for being lost in my head, never knowing it was a brain injury which was at the core of my problems.</p><p style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Now is a better world and life than then. Healing is a better direction than lost. Future is a direction I can live with instead of dreading; a peaceful mind and life is a reality I can live with instead of the mental and behavioral chaos that I endured for too many years.</p><p style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">What the support system which I now have in place has provided is first and foremost is confirmation that I can find and achieve the right direction. In short, as I battle the day to day frustrations and setbacks, it is the positive guidance I receive which quite frankly, on my worst days, keeps me going. As I move towards achieving the goals which I have set for myself— some lofty, some mundane, it is this support system which helps me maintain the balance and yes, minimizes the discouragement.</p><p style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Am I still lost inside my head? At times. The short term memory loss is still the most frustrating, but I am grateful that the long term memory is sharper than ever. Simply put. There’s hope after TB</p></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-45425516148882993042010-06-08T11:26:00.000-07:002010-06-08T11:27:21.781-07:00Medicaid Funding at Risk<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "> </p><p align="center" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 11pt; "><img width="600" height="86" id="Picture_x0020_0" src="http://emailmg.webhost4life.com/sqmail/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=1630&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=2" alt="header.jpg" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; " /><br /> <br /> </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><i style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 18pt; ">ACTION NEEDED!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 18pt; "><br /><br />Extend Extra Medicaid Funding Through June 2011</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; "></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; "><br /><br /><b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><u style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">June 7, 2010<br />BACKGROUND</u></b>: <br />We are writing to ask you to contact your Senators, Brownback and Roberts (KANSAS) or Bond and McCaskill (MISSOURI) to ask them to support the extension of the current elevated Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) that is currently being debated in the U.S. Senate and will be very important to states come the end of this year!<br /><br />Originally, both the House and the Senate acted to extend the extra match through June 2011, the end of the fiscal year for states. However, the offsets that were supposed to pay for this extension went instead to help pay for the health care reform legislation. Without an extension, the money</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; "> will run out Dec. 31, 2010, and many states will be forced to make <b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">drastic cuts</b> to the federal-state program. The 2009 federal stimulus package provided $87 billion to increase the federal share of the program through December (it included a 6.2% increase of the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under Medicaid). <br /><br />Last week, House Democrats debated HR 4213, the vehicle for this extension and chose to remove the provision extending extra federal Medicaid funding. With states in fiscal peril due to the recession and unemployment, it is vital that the extra federal funding continues in order to keep health care accessible for many brain injury patients and caregivers! <br /><br /><b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><u style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">SCOPE</u></b>:<br />Everybody can Take Action<br /><br /><b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><u style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">TARGET LEGISLATORS:<br /></u></b>All Federal Senate elected officials<br /><br /><b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><u style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Sample Message To Senators:<br /></u></b><br />As a person in your state affected by brain injury, I ask you to reinstate the extension of the current elevated Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) into HR 4213. States are struggling financially due to the recession and increased unemployment and it is imperative that people with brain injury continue to receive access to care through this federal match. Your constituents deserve timely access to brain injury treatments so that they can become able to function within the community again, and avoid long term care, permanent disability, and as a result, increased financial strain on our public programs such as Medicaid.<br /><br />I ask you not to ignore this devastating blow to access to affordable health care. While implementation of health care reform continues in the next few years, there are people in your state that need this important care now!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /> <br />(Your name and address here)<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "></span></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: fuchsia; "><br /></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 11pt; "> <br /></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">To Contact Kansas Senator <b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Sam Brownback</b> CLICK HERE: <u style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><a href="http://brownback.senate.gov/public/contact/emailsam.cfm" target="_blank" title="This external link will open in a new window" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: black; ">http://brownback.senate.gov/public/contact/emailsam.cfm</span></a></u>, or write, fax or call him at:<br /><br />Senator Brownback<br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">303 Hart Senate Office Building</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Washington, DC 20510</span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; "></span></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">Phone: (202) 224-6521</span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; "><br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Fax: (202) 228-1265</span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; "><br />To Contact Kansas Senator <b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Pat Roberts</b>, CLICK HERE: <a href="http://www.roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EmailPat" target="_blank" title="This external link will open in a new window" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: black; ">http://www.roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EmailPa</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: black; ">t</span></a>, or write, fax or call him at:<br /><br />Senator Roberts<br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">109 Hart Senate Office Building</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Washington, D.C. 20510-1605</span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "></span></span></p><table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">Phone: 202-224-4774</span></p></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">Fax: 202-224-3514</span></p></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">To Contact Missouri Senator <b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Christopher “Kit” Bond</b>, CLICK HERE: <a href="http://bond.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm" target="_blank" title="This external link will open in a new window" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: black; ">http://bond.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm</span></a>, or write, fax or call him at:<br /><br />Senator Bond<br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">274 Russell Senate Office Building</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Washington, D.C. 20510-2503</span></span></p><table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">Phone: <span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">(202) 224-5721</span></span></p></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">Fax: 202-224-8149</span></p></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">To Contact Missouri Senator <b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Claire McCaskill</b>, CLICK HERE: <a href="http://mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=contact" target="_blank" title="This external link will open in a new window" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: black; ">http://mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=contact</span></a>, or write, fax or call her at:<br /><br />Senator McCaskill<br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">717 Hart Senate Office Building</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; ">Washington, D.C. 20510-2504</span></span></p><table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">Phone: 202-224-6154</span></p></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><td nowrap="yes" valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; ">Fax: 202-228-6326</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; "><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14pt; color: black; "><br /> <br /> <br />Thank you for your support!<br /></span></p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-25342133063903025572010-05-17T19:00:00.000-07:002010-05-17T19:20:35.591-07:00Patience and persistence<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; font-size:13px;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yahooooo the Kansas legislature passed a budget that reinstates the 10% Medicaid cuts effective July 1, 2010. A long 6 months of patience and persistence have paid off. Even with the cuts, we have supported more people to leave institutions this year than last. Amazing work everyone!</span></span></h3><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Of course, our work is far from done. There were many lessons over the past 6 months and many I am still digesting. The greatest gift has been the way everyone stuck together and focused on what we do best. In tough times there are a lot of trite sayings that get thrown around...when times are tough the tough get going...people are like tea bags, they get stronger in hot water. I know, I know, I've put my own little spin on those gems, but you get what I mean. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This has truly been the greatest challenge I have had as a business owner. It may even be the first time I've so strongly identified myself as a business owner. It has helped me pull together with our team and identify where we are heading. Our number one goal is to diversify our funding. We will continue to assist people using Medicaid to become independent and we will focus on people with private insurance and other funds. We have a model that works for people and saves money, it's a winning formula for everyone. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our second focus is to put resources into training and maintaining the best case managers, transitional living specialists and therapists in the nation. Over the next few months we will be rolling out a whole new transitional living specialist retention process and training curriculum. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And finally, our focus on customer service will be ramped up tenfold. We want to work with people who desire to work on becoming as fully included in the community as desired and decreasing the amount of paid staff in their lives. We want people to have strong, rich relationships with people they can care about and who care about them. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, thanks for hanging on for the ride and hang on, because we have more hills and loops ahead. </span></div><div><br /></div></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-22397882458889497172010-03-08T19:45:00.000-08:002010-03-08T19:52:41.443-08:00Sample letters to the Editor<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#111111;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:12px;"><div class="story-subheader" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; "><p class="byline" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(105, 122, 133); ">It's time to send your letter to your local paper... send us your link once it's published and get a $20 gift card to Dairy Queen. </p><p class="byline" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(105, 122, 133); "><br /></p><p class="byline" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(105, 122, 133); ">By Lisa Bailey - Lawrence</p><p class="date" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(105, 122, 133); ">March 8, 2010</p></div><div id="story-body-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); "><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; ">To the editor:</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); ">Let’s talk about the Legislature’s shortsighted cuts to Medicaid. A program funded through Medicaid with a 70 percent match from Washington, the traumatic brain injury waiver, saves the state money with focus on community-based services for TBI survivors versus more costly maintenance in a nursing home. Beyond acute care, rehabilitation services and community supports are provided for those learning to live again with a life-changing injury. The waiver is time-limited, based on progress toward the individual’s goals for independent living, and comes with a client obligation (premium) determined by income over $750/month.</p></div></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 18px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); ">If the person recovering from a TBI is you, it’s time to grow up again. You must relearn how to walk, talk, think, recall and behave. Recovery varies greatly, influenced by many factors, but your best outcome depends on availability of services. Most of these aren’t covered by insurance.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); ">The good news, at least for now, comes with the TBI waiver giving you the opportunity to live with dignity and respect as part of the community. You’ll have a case manager to navigate the details; personal care attendants if needed; physical, speech, occupational, and cognitive therapists to help you figure out new ways to do things, and transitional living specialists to help you use the new strategies in daily life.</p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 21px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Contact your representative today; the 20 percent cut hurt us badly with more planned. Remind them that a $200,000 cut to this program takes away $800,000 when matching funds are lost. Ask the going rate for a nursing home.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 21px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"></span>Dear Editor,<br /><br />Two days before Thanksgiving Governor Parkinson made sweeping 10% cuts to Medicaid in Kansas that began on January 1, 2010. Those cuts were to every person using Medicaid, every provider accepting Medicaid and every citizen who is one car wreck away from needing Medicaid.<br /><br />We are now in mid March and see that durable equipment providers have stopped taking Medicaid, many home health agencies are no longer taking Medicaid and nursing homes are limiting admissions. Every agency in Kansas has cut staff and pay. The cuts have been deep and have damaged the infrastructure Kansas has developed over the past 30 years. The stress has become palpable.<br /><br />I believe there was some hope on the part of Governor Parkinson that all those affected by the Medicaid cuts would band together and implore the legislature to look at tax exemptions and push for a sales tax. Unfortunately, most agencies are so busy scrambling to help the people affected by the cuts it has been a challenge to organize. Additionally, those who are trying to educate legislators are being rebuffed with comments that the cuts are just eliminating waste and looking at sales tax exemptions is the devil's work. Even churches have rallied behind the call to leave taxes alone, at the expense of those needing Medicaid.<br /><br />Can you please tell me how severely limiting people's access to wheelchairs, physicians and medical care is anything less than a death panel? Isn't it sad that when people are down and out they are moved to the middle of a battle between ideologies of the left and right? When will someone stand up for the person in the middle and restore the Medicaid cuts?<br /><br />This isn't a battle between right and left. It's a battle between right and wrong. Continuing to use people on Medicaid to balance the budget is a blemish on both the Democrats and Republicans in Kansas.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Janet Williams<br />7189 Conser Place<br />Overland Park, KS 66204<br /><br /><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-49991436001971075892010-03-04T21:00:00.000-08:002010-03-04T21:19:58.870-08:00There ought to be a law...<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">I am currently in Iowa getting ready for Part II of a presentation on Community at the Brain Injury Association of Iowa's annual conference. There are 300 people here for the conference, a combination of people with personal experiences, professionals and providers. There are a lot of programs in Iowa and, like all states, they are experiencing budget cuts. </span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Now here's the maddening thing that has been going on since the early 1980s. States send people with brain injuries out of state for services, using precious tax dollars, with no plan to bring people home. Iowa has 50 people with brain injuries out of state for services, costing 4x more per person than in state. Kansas has 22 people out of state at a cost of over $700 per day, when the average of instate services is only $120 per day for comparable services. There are some people who do need short term hospitalization for medication stabilization but once someone leaves the state, they are usually gone for a year or more. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">There are several reasons states continue to use this avenue. First, archaic laws make institutional services an "entitlement" and community based services an exception or "waiver." Second, heavy marketing from out of state providers and no accountability for said providers combined with state agency staff who are overworked already and you have a formula for more people going out of state. And finally, there are providers who think it's just easier to send someone out of state rather than train staff on how to provide positive behavioral supports or address the individual needs of the person. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">You would think someone would pay attention to millions of Kansas dollars going out of state. We can serve 300 people at home for a year for the same amount of money as 22 people out of state. There ought to be a law...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257421597100022113.post-49465990531137775242010-01-25T03:38:00.000-08:002010-01-25T03:47:18.504-08:00Is it really complicated?<div>Our state legislators have priorities. Redo the state house for the tune of $249 million and cut services to people with disabilities that are proven to get people back to work. It took 2 week to begrudgingly offer up a 5% cut in their own pay for their part time job and only 10 minutes to slash Medicaid. They know when their pay cut ends, they can't say when the cuts to Medicaid will end. When I've asked why they can't restore the cuts I hear, "it's complicated." The proverbial pat on the head. We need a hero. Who will it be? </div><div><br /></div>http://cjonline.com/news/legislature/2010-01-24/programs_for_disabled_face_cuts<div><br /></div><div>http://cjonline.com/news/legislature/2010-01-24/consumers_speak</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065182838021140094noreply@blogger.com0