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Attachment 1 | Content | Goal 2
To ensure the provision of services necessary for the promotion of independence, choice and self-direction.
The state network of Centers for Independent Living has been minimally funded for the past twenty years. Only the CILs which are federally funded have received a cost of living increase, but only in just the past two years. State funded CILs have received no increase what so ever for approximately fifteen years. Increased costs in operating expenses and inflation have forced a number of centers to reduce staff and services offered. The CILs rely heavily upon grants, private donations, Medicaid payroll services, and community fundraising to continue the current level of services. A 5% reduction in state funds occurred in 2002 with some of the CILs who had established contractual relationships with VR on a fee for service agreement.
All of the CILs are currently operating under inadequate funding levels. Each of the CILs in Kansas need base funding in the amount of $250,000. The total additional cost for a minimally effective CIL system in Kansas would be $1,216,981.
This amount is necessary to sustain a free standing CIL offering the five core services. The Kansas Statewide Independent Living Council has also ascertained that the base budget of a center for independent living shall include only state and federal independent living funds which have been allotted specifically for the operations of the centers for independent living. Therefore, the Kansas Statewide Independent Living Council has decided that all new state and federal independent living funds allotted specifically to support centers for independent living in this state shall be distributed according to this State Plan.
Kansas currently has a network of thirteen CILs. Since 1979-80, three Title VII, Part C funded Centers have been located in Topeka, Lawrence and Hays. In FY03 a fourth Center for Independent Living located in Parsons, Kansas was awarded federal Title VII, Part C funds in the amount of $59,296. The total amount of Title VII, Part C received for the operation of Kansas CILs is $730,961. Through an agreement with Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC), the Independent Living Center of Northeast Kansas located in Atchison receives $31,650 to provide the five core services to the Native American Tribal Reservations within Northeast Kansas. This includes the Pottowatamie Tribe.
State independent living funds in the amount of $652,058 support all but one (Hutchinson) of Kansas CIL network. Another $400,000 in Social Security Reimbursement funds the two newest Centers in Kansas, Hutchinson and Garden City. These funds were obtained at the direction of the Kansas legislature in 1996.
Another federally funded, Title VII, Part C Center, The Whole Person Inc. is actually a Missouri corporation. While this federal grant originates from Missouri, the CIL receives 37% of their federal funds to serve two counties in Kansas (Johnson and Wyandotte). Therefore, The Whole Person, Inc. is not identified for new funding distribution in the Kansas State Plan.
Due to the rural nature of Kansas, sparse populations, vast distances between population centers and lack of financial resources have made the expansion and development of existing independent living programs a difficult process.
The SILCK is aware of the significant lack of independent living services on the tribal reservations. When there are new independent living funds available (state or federal) existing CILs will be encouraged to reach out to Tribal Councils to work together to establish IL services, possibly through a satellite/branch office locations on the tribal lands.
In the event that a state funded Center for Independent Living is closed, within 60 days, SRS will re-bid for new application to the existing CILs and/or local consumer groups for the same amount of appropriated funds. This new bid will be applied to the same service area.
In the event that a federally funded CIL is closed, the SILCK will direct RSA to re-compete those funds in an expedited manner. To assure there is no interruption in services, the competition will be offered to local consumer groups to assure that unserved and underserved areas do not go without services. The new award will be applied to the same service area.
When there are new federal independent living funds available, the SILCK will direct all new funds to be offered on a competitive basis to those existing CILs until they receive a minimum of $250,000 each. While this competitive approach does not recognize the Center with the highest need for funding, it has been the only way RSA will deliver new federal funding.
In the event that new state funds are appropriated specifically for the operation of centers for independent living in this state; funds shall be distributed in equal amounts to the existing centers in the state until such time as each centers base budget is $250,000.
After all existing centers are funded at $250,000, the SILCK will reassess the service capacity of the network before it invests in any substantial expansion of the network.
Compliance with Section 725 of the Rehabilitation Act is applicable to any Center for Independent Living as a condition for receipt of state and/or federal independent living funds.
The Kansas Department of Social & Rehabilitation is required to monitor state funded CILs as part of their responsibility in administering SGF. This does not replace the monitoring responsibility of the Federal RSA to comply with standards and indicators.
Current funding is reflected below:
| CENTER | STATE | FEDERAL | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden City CIL for Southwest Ks. |
$100,000 | $200,000* | $300,000 |
| Lawrence Independence Inc. |
$50,000 | $180,239 | $230,239 |
| Hays LINK, Inc. |
$15,987 | $215,000 | $230,987 |
| Topeka TILRC |
$20,000 | $276,426 | $296,426 |
| Hutchinson PILR |
$200,000* | $200,000 | |
| Wichita ILRC |
$119,000 | $119,000 | |
| Kansas City CFI |
$118,500 | $118,500 | |
| Parsons SKIL |
$100,000 | $59,296 | $159,296 |
| Atchison ILC ILC of Northeast Ks |
$30,000 | $ 30,000 | |
| Salina Independent Connection |
$46,071 | $46,071 | |
| Osage City RCIL |
$27,500 | $27,500 | |
| Wamego ILC Three Rivers |
$25,000 | $ 25,000 |
State Funds
$652,058
Title VII, Part C
$730,961
SSR
$400,000
TOTAL
$1,783,019
*(Social Security Reimbursement funds)
Advocate with SRS and KRS for full
restoration of 5% reduction ($30,000) from CILs in
SGF in 2002 for fee for service contracts.
Advocate for an additional $1.2
million in State General Funds to meet the increased service demands across the
state. CILs are a wise investment
for Kansas. They have played a crucial role in making sure our state
complies with the 1999 Olmstead U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Centers have worked hard within their local communities implementing the
state pilot program, Money Follows the Person, for the past two years with
no additional resources. This has
allowed consumers to contribute and spend within the community, at the same time
they save significant taxpayer dollars. It
would be prudent for the state of Kansas to provide an additional $1.2 million
in SGF. For example, last year CILs
saved a total in state and federal spending of $58 million by preventing or
removing 4,698 people from institutional settings.
Savings would be greater if CILs had access to the over 3,000 persons
currently residing in nursing facilities who have indicated they want out.
If each one of the 13 CIL diverted or transitioned 10 people out of an
institutional setting each year, it would save almost $1,642,680. This amount
far exceeds the total amount of SGF now appropriated to base funding for CILs of
$652,058.
Collaborate and coordinate with all
Native American Tribes including the Potawatomi
Tribe and CILs in Northeast Kansas outreach efforts for expansion of IL services
on tribal lands and other underserved groups.
Advocate, on an ongoing basis, at the
national and state level to promote expansion of revenue to support centers for
independent living. As additional
funds become available, ensure these dollars are distributed according to this
State Plan.
Continue to work with the University
of Kansas, Research and Training Center on the economic impact study regarding
the value of IL services to the community.
This study will be most effective when persuading the legislature for an
increase in base independent living funds.
Sponsor and support with Part B funds,
Day at the Capitol during
the legislative session. People with disabilities will play a role in
educating their local legislators about the need and value of IL services
throughout the state.
Supports a peer review process such as QUILLS to strengthen the provision of IL services by CIL. Upon receipts for expenses, the SILCK will provide Part B funds in an amount up to $1,000 to support peer reviewers of the CILs choice. No documentation of the review process will be given to anyone but the staff and the board of the CIL requesting the review.
* Estimated Title VII, Part B funds: $20,000
Attachment 1
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
Attachment 1 | Content | Goal 2
Statewide Independent Living Council of
Kansas
www.silck.org
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