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Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns Disability News Message - February 13, 2023

Government and Politics

February 13, 2023

From: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly

Kansas Broadband Roadshow

Emporia | Pratt | Dodge City | Peabody

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) wants you to share your thoughts on internet connectivity. Help us build the future of Internet in Kansas.

Join KOBD as we embark on an 8-region state listening tour! We want to hear your voice as we shape the State Digital Equity Plan and 5-year Strategic Broadband Action Plan.

Feb 15 | Emporia | 5:30 to 7 p.m. Register here.
Feb 22 | Pratt | 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Register here.
Feb 22 | Dodge City | 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Register here.
Feb 23 | Peabody | 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register here.

More opportunities in your neighborhood are coming soon.

Complimentary refreshments with registration.

Check the official Kansas Broadband Roadshow website for updates and additional locations/dates/times.

Share your thoughts on:
- Internet access
- Availability
- Public access
- Inclusive design
- Adoption
- Speeds
- Safety & privacy
- Digital skills training
- Devices and much more

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development was established in 2020 to help ensure all Kansans have the opportunity to live, work, learn and compete in a global economy by improving universal access to quality, affordable and reliable broadband.

Our mailing address is:
This email was sent by: Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 100, Topeka, KS, 66612 US

This is an open meeting. If you require auxiliary aids and services to participate, please contact Corinthian Kelly, Public Policy and Management Center, 316-978-6530. 

Kansas Office of Broadband Development · 1000 SW Jackson St · Topeka, KS 66612-1300 · USA

Job Vacancy Announcements

Attached below is the job vacancy listing from Intrust Bank. Please feel free to share with others. 

Blue Cross/Blue Shield has posted another new job vacancy on their website. Please feel free to share with others. 

APSE Webinar

Exploring Networks of Financial Support for Provider Transformation: An Update from California
Wednesday, February 15, 2023   3:00-4:00 p.m. ET

Join us to revisit Bakersfield ARC (last featured in November 2021) and their transformative efforts to end practices involving subminimum wage and closing their sheltered workshop. Learn about the actions leaders at Bakersfield ARC have taken to successfully implement changes and additional steps they plan to take to further promote Competitive Integrated Employment.

In addition, learn how Bakersfield ARC took advantage of state funding and grant opportunities to advance their transformation, and hear from California state officials about how those grants were distributed and how such efforts can be replicated with success in other states.

Register here. 

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) News Brief

Honoring Black Leaders with Intersecting Impact

In a DOL blog post published this week, ODEP Senior Policy Advisor Roxann Griffith reflected on Black History Month and the contributions of the many Black leaders who, due to intersecting perspectives, not only made their mark on American history, but also advanced progress for other historically marginalized groups, including people with disabilities. As part of this, Griffith highlighted the example of First Sergeant Delphine Metcalf-Foster, United States Army (Ret.), who was the first Black woman National Commander of Disabled American Veterans.

Read the blog post

Reminder: Exploring Networks of Financial Support for Provider Transformation

Join the Employment First Community of Practice on Wednesday, February 15 from 3 – 4 PM ET for the webinar "Exploring Networks of Financial Support for Provider Transformation: An Update from California." The webinar will revisit Bakersfield ARC and their transformative efforts to end practices involving subminimum wage and closing their sheltered workshop. In addition, learn how Bakersfield ARC took advantage of state funding and grant opportunities to advance their transformation, and hear from California state officials about how those grants were distributed and how such efforts can be replicated with success in other states.

Register for the webinar here

EARN Mental Health Toolkit

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five American adults will experience a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. EARN’s Mental Health Toolkit is a gateway to background, tools and resources that can help employers learn more about mental health issues and cultivate a welcoming and supportive work environment for employees who may be facing mental health issues or need help for a co-occurring substance use disorder.

Read the toolkit

Upcoming EARN Webinar: Organization-Wide Accessibility – Everyone Plays a Part

There’s still time to sign up for EARN’s upcoming webinar “Organization-Wide Accessibility: Everyone Plays a Part” on Wednesday, February 15 from 2 – 3 PM ET. Hear from James Deignan, Inclusive Technology Specialist at Texthelp, and Naomi Tyre, Director of Workplace Accommodations and NGCare at Northrop Grumman, as they offer effective strategies employers can use to develop and sustain a fully accessible workplace and generate involvement from employees at all levels.

Register for the Accessibility Webinar

JAN Long COVID in the Workplace Webinar

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in millions of people now experiencing chronic health conditions related to their initial COVID infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, post-COVID conditions, known as Long COVID, include a wide range of ongoing health issues that last for months or longer. Symptoms affect people in various ways, including the ability to work. Long COVID may be a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act so employers need to ensure accommodation processes and practices are effective in retaining much-needed workers. The webinar takes place Thursday, March 9 from 2-3 PM ET.

Register for the JAN Webinar

U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy
DRIVING CHANGE • CREATING OPPORTUNITY

View this newsletter on our website.

Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD) Wants to Hear from You!
Tell us what’s on your mind.

KCDD is seeking your feedback in a short survey. This is a council-led survey created to gain lived experience from people with disabilities and their families. The ideas you provide will be used to help us inform changes to the current Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Waiver. Anyone is welcome to submit their ideas and all ideas will be shared with KDADS, KDHE, and stakeholders. The survey will take about 7 minutes and is anonymous.
Survey link

If you would like to review what is offered under the current IDD waiver, click here

Our mailing address is:
Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities
900 SW Jackson, Ste. 569
Topeka, Ks 66612

Attached below is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) weekly digest with information on the end of the national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) declarations related to COVID-19 pandemic on May 11, 2023 and how that may affect people who were allowed to use Medicaid services. Please feel free to share with others.