“4. Noneducational agencies serving out-of-school youth; and KRS will coordinate with local workforce operators and Adult Education on employment services for out-of-school youth. The Combined Portion of this Plan includes extensive operational strategies related to youth services. KRS also provides funding for the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy for leadership training, self-advocacy skill development, and mentoring services for youth with disabilities. KRS staff participate in Family Employment Awareness Trainings offered by Families Together as well as participate in local level planning and referral for Project Search programs. Additionally, KRS staff support beginning the job placement services while in Project Search third internship. KRS will also investigate how it might assist in the expansion of promising practices to increase employment options and outcomes.”
Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD)
“The purpose of the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD) is to support people of all ages with developmental disabilities so they have the opportunity to make choices regarding both their participation in society and their quality of life.”
Kansas Department of Education, Special Ed Process Handbook, Ch. 4: The Individualized Education Program (IEP)
“The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is defined as a written statement for each student with an exceptionality, which describes that child’s educational program and is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with special education laws and regulations. The team that develops the IEP includes parents, school professionals, the student (when appropriate), and personnel from other agencies as appropriate (when addressing transition). Each IEP must be developed with careful consideration of the individual child’s capabilities, strengths, needs, and interests. The IEP should direct the child toward high expectations and toward becoming a member of his or her community and the workforce. It should function as the tool that directs and guides the development of meaningful educational experiences, thereby helping the child learn skills that will help them achieve his or her goals. In short, it should assist the child in meeting the goals and challenging standards of our educational system as well as identified postsecondary goals.”
Southeast Kansas Works Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Local Plan
Training must be industry or company specific and provide technical and skill upgrades. Training may be conducted at the applicant’s facility, at a public or private training provider site or at a combination of sites best meeting the needs of the organization. LA V allows the following types of training for employer projects meeting the above criteria:
Customized occupational training designed to meet the special requirements of an employer (including a group of employers) conducted with a commitment by the employer to continue to employ an individual upon successful completion of the training.
Customized on-the job-training relating to the introduction of new technologies, introduction to new production or service procedures, or upgrading to new jobs requiring additional skills. LA V offers a variety of resources and information on services available to persons with disabilities including: information on training opportunities and links to online training; technology guides for using screen enlargement software, and screen reading software.
“Our Vision
The Vision of KCDC is people with disabilities are equal citizens and equal partners in society. KCDC focuses on partnerships, information, and referral at the state, regional, and local level. The Commission provides policy recommendations to the State of Kansas on changes to laws, regulations and programs that affect people with disabilities.”
Kansas HB 2703: An Act concerning employment (2022)
Enacted 4/18/22
“AN ACT concerning employment; relating to the employment security law; employment security fund; employer contribution rates; revising the definition of employment for conformity with federal law; making changes to the my reemployment plan program including making the program mandatory with specified exceptions; providing that the secretary of labor is to request that claimants create resumes in the Kansas works system and that the secretary of commerce shall provide assistance to claimants through Kansasworks and may require claimants to participate in reemployment services; providing claimants with additional time to respond; enacting the Kansas targeted employment act to facilitate employment of persons with developmental disabilities through a tax credit incentive for employers; amending K.S.A. 44-703, 44-710a and 44-775 and repealing the existing sections.”
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Work Opportunities Reward Kansans
Work Opportunities Reward Kansans: Work Program Policy Manual
“This manual details policies and procedures for Work Opportunities Reward Kansans (WORK), the long-term care program which provides supports for people who are eligible for Working Healthy. Unlike other Medicaid long term care programs, individuals eligible for Working Healthy do not receive services through Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers. Instead, they receive a Medicaid State Plan package of services which is called WORK. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is responsible for the oversight of both Working Healthy and WORK. The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is responsible for overseeing HCBS Waivers in Kansas.”
Kansas Dept of Health and Environment: Supports and Training for Employing People Successfully (STEPS)
“Supports and Training for Employing People Successfully (STEPS) is a program through which people with disabilities and/or behavioral health conditions may seek a path to employment without jeopardizing their Social Security benefits or losing medical insurance coverage.”
“Work Opportunities Reward Kansans (WORK) is a program through which people enrolled in Working Healthy receive personal assistance services (PAS). Working Healthy beneficiaries cannot receive Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver services. In addition to PAS, WORK services include Supported Employment/Individual Employment Support Services, and Assistive Technology Independent Living Counseling (ILC).”
“Kansas was the first state in the nation to adopt Employment First Legislation K.S.A. 44-1136-38 in 2011.
Employment First legislation sets as the official policy of the State of Kansas that competitive and integrated employment (employment in the community for the same wages as workers without disabilities) is the first option when serving people with disabilities, established definitions of “competitive” and “integrated” employment, and details the requirements of state agencies to conform to the law.”
