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Resources

The following are potential resources in a variety of need areas to help you in your exploration for answers for you or someone you care about.  The list is not complete, nor does it represent any specific endorsement by The Mission Project.

Information and Referral Options

KU Center for Autism Training and Research (K-CART) – (913) 897-8471
Down Syndrome Innovations – (913) 384-4848

State Entry Points

Kansas Centers for Developmental Disabilities Organization (CDDO)

  • Is the starting point for clients/families with intellectual and/or developmental (I/DD) disabilities
  • One in each county
  • A Wexler assessment or primary care provider’s diagnosis must be present for the individual to be considered for services
  • A case manager will be assigned to the client at this time who can help with securing other resources and services.
  • The individual’s disability must manifest before age 22 or the person must have substantial limitation in 3 or more areas of life functioning
  • Families are recommended to start applying for the I/DD waiver waitlist as early as possible.

Missouri Department of Mental Health – Division of Developmental Disabilities

  • Is the starting point for clients/families with intellectual and/or developmental (I/DD) disabilities
  • Regional Offices
  • dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities
  • Kansas City Regional Office 816-889-3400
  • A case manager can assist. In Jackson County, a case manager can be assigned regardless of eligibility for Medicaid.

Financial Resources

Social Security

  • Application for Social Security: Disability Benefits | SSA
  • It is recommended to apply 6 months before the individual turns 18
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Benefit for individuals who have not worked the required amount of quarters for SSDI
  • Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI): Benefit for individuals who have worked the required about of quarters (usually 40)
  • Please note that an attorney may be helpful in this process.
  • Persons who are eligible for SSI are also eligible for Medicaid
  • Social Security benefits are based on a person’s income at time they turn age 18. Prior to age 18, benefits are based on their family’s income

Medicaid

Provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States that is jointly funded and administered by the federal and state governments, each of which sets eligibility requirements.

Kansas Working Healthy

Medicare

A federal system of health insurance for people over 65 years of age and for certain younger people with disabilities, has 4 parts (A-D)

  • A-Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.
  • B-Helps cover services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment and many preventive services (like screenings and yearly “Wellness” visits)
  • C-is a replacement insurance option for people who are eligible for Medicare. These plans are offered through private insurance companies.
  • D-Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines).
  • Eligible 2 years after social security disability determination

Crisis Funds

  • Johnson County, KS definition and explanation of crisis funding: CDDO-15-crisis-exception-procedures-2018.pdf (jocogov.org)
  • Client must have been determined eligible for IDD services and have had a BASIS assessment in the past 365 days to be eligible for crisis funding
  • Any documentation (police reports, DCF reports, etc.) will build a stronger case/allow the individual and their family a better chance at receiving crisis funding

ABLE Savings Accounts

  • Allows individuals to move money exceeding $2000 into an account that does not count against their resources, money can be used in the future for unexpected expenses, burial expense, etc. Individuals can save up to $16,000 a year however there is an upper lifetime limit which exceeds $100,000.
  • A disability attorney can help with this.

Social and Skill Support and Development

Day and Social Skill Group Services

Provides services to clients in regular group format.

  • Provides clients with socialization activities, such as arts and crafts, cooking classes, etc.
  • Supports clients in learning life skills, such as money management, safety issues, etc.
  • Provides various levels of support from high to low support needs
  • A full list of providers can be obtained from the CDDO.

ACE Program – Down Syndrome Innovations kcdsi.org/lifespan-services/adulthood/

L’Arche Heartland Green Express Studio (913) 341-2265 – larcheks.org/programs

Skills to Succeed (913) 254-0001 theskillstosucceed.org/services/

Johnson County Kansas Developmental Supports – jocogov.org/department/developmental-supports/day-services

Good Life Innovations – mygoodlife.org/day-services/

Life Unlimited – lifeunlimitedinc.org/disability-services/day-services/

Nova Center – novacenter.org/programs/

Developing Potential – developingpotential.org/what-we-do

Ability KC Day Program – abilitykc.org/services/medicalrehabilitation/adult/

Missouri MENTOR Program – mo-mentor.com/our-services/day-services

Job Coaching and Employment Programs

Skills to Succeed (913) 254-0001 theskillstosucceed.org

Down’s Syndrome Innovations (913) 384-4848 kcdsi.org

Vocational Rehabilitation (913) 826-7300

Project Rise – Children’s Mercy (816) 855-1869

The Whole Person – thewholeperson.org/core-services/independent-living-skills/

PRE-ETTS (Pre-Employment Transition Services) in Kansas

Elgibility:

  • The student is 16-21 years of age.
  • The student is in a secondary, post-secondary or other recognized education program.
  • The student is eligible for, and receiving services under an Individual
  • Education Plan or 504 Plan, or the student is an individual with a disability, as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  • The student is a resident of Kansas.
  • Services are designed to provide an early start at job exploration and to assist students with disabilities in making the transition from secondary to post-secondary education/training and competitive, integrated employment

Social and Leisure Programs

Sylvester Powell Special Needs Program – Phone: (913) 722-8200

Johnson County Community College Clear Classes – jccc.edu/community-resources/supported-education-programs/clear/

Johnson County Community College Connections Class – jccc.edu/academics/ce/connections-ce/#:~:text=Connections%20offers%20training%20in%20social,the%20area%20of%20social%20skills.

Johnson County Community College Autism Club – sswindler@ku.edu

Matthew’s Ministry – Church of the Resurrection/Leawood (faith based) – resurrection.church/getinvolved/matthews-ministry/

SOAR Program Social Club (faith based) – soarspecialneeds.org/soar-social-clubs-happening-now/

Special Olympics – soks.org/

The Whole Person Adaptive Sports Program – thewholeperson.org/other-services/adaptive-sports/adaptive-sports-overview.html

Autism Society of the Heartland AWARE program – asaheartland.org/social-groups.php

Transportation

Taxi Service: There are several taxi services available in Greater KC; but regular taxi fares are often quite expensive (especially for daily employment). However, such taxi services are available at reduced rates for people with disabilities under specific city programs (see descriptions below). Services like Uber and Lyft are often no recommended for individuals with special needs, since drivers are not specially trained. Other taxi providers, including 10/10 Taxi (now part of Z-Trip), Yellow Cab Co., and Z-Trip are connected into the city programs that provide specialized ADA transportation. And while these services may have their own scheduling apps, for special services you should work through the city special programs.

RideKC: There are several transportation alternatives offered through RideKC (see below). Transit providers include the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), Johnson County Transit, IndeBus, United Government Transit, and KC Streetcar Authority. Specific programs chosen depend largely on the service area within the greater metropolitan area of Kansas City. RideKC programs include RideKC Bus, RideKC Taxi, RideKC Freedom, and RideKC Freedom-on-Demand. RideKC has an app for scheduling rides, and each program may require a specific application for eligibility.

RideKC Bus (joco): RideKC Bus is a fixed-route program. Because it is fixed-route, there is no flexibility with regard to location and/or timing. Base bus fare is $1.50, with express routes costing a little more. Riders with disabilities can qualify for half fare.

RideKC Taxi: RideKC Taxi is a pilot program that works with Z-Trip to offer rides for disabled at $5.00 per ride up to 8 miles, with an additional charge for trips over 8 miles. Personal assistants and/or parents can ride at no additional cost. It is limited to 10 trips per month, which makes it difficult for Employment unless the Participant’s job is very part-time. Riders establish an account, and pre-load the account in $5.00 increments. Riders are issued a card (similar to a credit card), and the fare is automatically deducted from the account, since the card can be read from the vehicle. Cash is not accepted as payment.

RideKC Special Edition: Special Edition is a shared ride program providing affordable curb-to-curb transportation for registered residents of Johnson County. Special Edition rides may be provided by Special Edition vehicles or through a local taxi provider (10/10 Taxi) that is scheduled by Johnson County Transit. The service area (see their map) includes Johnson County, Kansas City MO, and Kansas City KS. Premium service is available to riders who have schedules which are the same from week to week. There is an additional charge, but signing up saves the rider from calling in to schedule rides every week. Special Edition will not pick up AND drop off in Olathe. Opportunities for traveling within Olathe on public transportation should refer to the Olathe City services. Special Edition fare is $5.20 within a 10-mile radius, and $6.20 per 1-way trip between 10 and 20 miles. Special Edition drivers do not accept credit cards; but 10/10 Taxi drivers will accept cash, passes, and credit cards. Residents who qualify for the reduced fare program (based on income) pay $3.20 per 1-way plus $.07 per zone for trips outside Johnson County. Because it is a shared ride program, Special Edition riders may be onboard up to 60 minutes, which is a particular disadvantage to employment transportation.

RideKC Freedom (previously Share-A-Fare): Rides must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Door-to-door service. Cash payment, ADA $3.00 per trip. Unlimited daily trips.

RideKC Freedom On-Demand: Pilot program. No advance reservation required, Curb-to-curb service, pay with cash, credit card, or through the RideKC Freedom app. Limit of 4 trips per day. With the app, you can open an account – which allows you to pay for rides without need to carry cash or credit card. Fare is ADA $3.00 for the first 8 miles, and $2.00 each mile thereafter. Up to 3 guests can accompany the rider. See service area map (covers most of the metropolitan area). Trips must be scheduled either through the app or by phone. Vehicles dispatched will be either 10/10 Taxi, Yellow Cab, or Z-Trip branded with the “RideKC Freedom” logo on the sides of the vehicles. RideKC Freedom minibuses and sedans will not be serving On-Demand trips.

IRIS – This is an on-demand program specific to Kansas City, Mo., Independence, and Gladstone. Rides cost $3 each. They operate in partnership with KCATA, Z-Trip, and RideCo.

Dial-A-Ride: This is a program specific to Kansas City, KS/Wyandotte County. This service covers all of Wyandotte county, and fare is $3.00 for a one-way trip. It is offered by the Unified Government Transit.

JCDS: Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) will work to coordinate and/or provide employment transportation. A support group called “Friends of JCDS” provides special assistance funds to help individuals stay employed. These funds can be applied to provide transportation, at least on a temporary basis, for disabled people seeking to establish permanent employment.

Eitas: (Missouri only) eitas.org/transportation

Other:There are other lesser-known transportation providers, some of which can be found at linkforcare.org. But often these alternatives are specialty services (e.g., Wellness Medical Transport, which specializes in providing wheelchair transportation).

Support groups for individuals who are neurodiverse

Autism Society of the Heartland AWARE virtual support group –  asaheartland.org/support-groups.php

Support groups and resources for parents/family members of someone who is neurodiverse

Joy KC – joykc.org/parent-connect

The Sibling Leadership Network – siblingleadership.org/media-library/the-sln-podcast/?fbclid=IwAR0PYjQW8OPE-nX7qwl3MqEby2bYJhW1NZZF7tpnE_XIqYJJ1ogovswF9tA

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