SOAR Sponsors
Anthem/Healthy Blue
Healthy Blue combines Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas’ (BCBSKS) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC)’s expertise on local needs and community support with Anthem Partnership Holding Company, LLC (APHC)’s Medicaid managedcare capabilities. This allows Healthy Blue to deliver whole-person health in partnership with community-based organizations.We would like to thank Anthem/Healthy Blue for sponsoring the boxed lunches at the 2023 SOAR Conference.
Arcare
Arcare ensures that people with disabilities would receive professional support throughout their lives. Initially, the focus was on developing full-service, long-term plans for each of its clients. Over time, the non-profit has added additional programs and services tailored to meet each person’s needs.
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
AUCD supports and promotes a national network of 142 federally funded university-based interdisciplinary programs in the United States. Network members consist of 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD); 60 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) programs; and 15 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRC). These programs serve and are in every U.S. state and territory and are all part of universities or medical centers. The AUCD Network of Centers and Programs serve as a bridge between the university and the community. We bring together the resources of both to achieve meaningful and equitable change in disability research, education, training, service, and policy.
CareSource
CareSource is nationally recognized for leading the industry in providing member-centric health care coverage. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, the company has built a legacy of providing quality health care coverage for Medicaid consumers. CareSource serves more than 2 million members across six states supported by a growing workforce of 4,500. The CareSource mission to make a lasting difference in their members’ lives by improving their health.
Disability Rights Center of Kansas (DRC)
The Disability Rights Center of Kansas (DRC) is a public interest legal advocacy agency empowered by federal law to advocate for the civil and legal rights of Kansans with disabilities. As the official Protection and Advocacy system for Kansas, we are all about fighting for equality, law, and justice. DRC has attorneys and advocates who provide free advocacy and legal services for disability rights.
Easterseals Midwest
At Easterseals Midwest, we are leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, their families, and our communities.Every year, we provide support to nearly 6,500 individuals across Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri through our life-changing Autism, Community Living, Employment, and Early Childhood programs.
Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council (Iowa DD Council)
The Iowa DD Council is a federally funded state agency that advocates for the development of services and supports so that Iowans with developmental disabilities can make choices and take control of their lives. The Council is made up of 20+ volunteers who represent Iowans with disabilities, family members, service providers, state agencies, and organizations concerned with developmental disability issues.
Interhab
For more than 50 years, InterHab has worked to improve the lives of Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1969, community service professionals formed an alliance with skilled family advocates to form the Kansas Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (“KARF”). They came together to collaborate for the extension of civil rights to Kansans with IDD. From time immemorial to that point in time, Kansans with IDD and their families had suffered profound isolation and discrimination. Through KARF’s efforts to raise public awareness of developmental disabilities and the value of investing in home and community-based services, Kansas led a national movement towards de-institutionalization.
JFK Partners
JFK Partners has been a program of the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Colorado School of Medicine since 1965. JFK Partners is designated as Colorado’s University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program. The mission of JFK Partners is to lead the way in evidence-based interdisciplinary clinical care, education, research, and community partnerships to enrich the lives of children, youth, and adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and special health care needs.
Kansas AAIDD Chapter
We are the Kansas Chapter of the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).
Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD)
KCDD’s mission is to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to lead systems change, build capacity, and advocate for inclusive, integrated, accessible communities where everyone belongs and thrives throughout Kansas. The Council has up to 23 members appointed by the Kansas Governor. At least 60% of KCDD members must be people with developmental disabilities or parents or guardians of children with developmental disabilities. From the 60% of members, at least 1/3 of those members must be people with developmental disabilities or self-advocates.
KU Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD)
At KUCDD, our mission is to enhance the quality of life, self-determination, and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families. We do this by engaging in research, community service, training/education, and information dissemination activities. KUCDD staff and affiliates are motivated in their work by 5 core values: doing high-quality work, knowing your purpose, seeking diversity, including others, and respecting others.
KU Life Span Institute (LSI)
Established in the 1960s, the KU Life Span Institute is network of more than 400 KU scientists, students, and staff who strive to improve the health of individuals and communities through research, service and outreach. Their early focus on the needs and development of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities has broadened over the past six decades to include the fields of education, behavioral science and neuroscience.
Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services (MACDDS)
MACDDS promotes local county initiatives in developmental disabilities services. Comprised of 62 county boards, 18 related provider organizations and 2 targeted case management entities, our members lead local initiatives that have a statewide impact, improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. MACDDS works to assure services and supports for people with developmental disabilities continue to be planned and carried out at the local level.
Molina Healthcare
Molina Healthcare believes everyone access to high-quality health care, regardless of their situation. Molina's mission is to deliver reliable and affordable health care to those who need it most.
Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCDD)
NCDD’s primary focus is on improving the system of supports for people with disabilities and their families. Goals concentrate on people who experience a severe disability that occurs before the age of 22, including individuals with physical disabilities, mental/behavioral health conditions, and developmental disabilities. NCDD participates in workgroups, advisory committees, task forces, and coalitions that affect policy-making at the state level to ensure discussions include the needs of people with developmental disabilities.
Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK)
SACK is a statewide advocacy group in Kansas comprised of adults with IDD. SACK empowers people to speak up for themselves and to obtain the highest possible level of independence. Their mission is to promote empowerment and independence for adults with developmental disabilities.
State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities project was initiated in 1982 to investigate the determinants of public spending for intellectual and developmental disabilities services in the United States. The project has developed a 40-year record of revenue, spending, and programmatic trends in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States as a whole.
University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development
The University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development is dedicated to improving the health and independence of people with disabilities. The center has been designated the state’s University Center for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities and strives to be the state’s most trusted resource for health care, training, research, and information for people with disabilities.
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine Center for Disabilities
The University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities has served as the University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) for the state of South Dakota since 1971. They have partnered with numerous healthcare, education, human service, employment, and community-based organizations to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Capacity building efforts are carried out through community education, clinical services, interdisciplinary training, technical assistance, research, information dissemination, and policy/advocacy work. In addition, the Center for Disabilities is a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) site. To ensure a true statewide approach, they have established relationships with Tribal communities in the state through the Oyate` Circle. The Oyate` Circle is a resource, education, outreach, and training program that serves all nine tribes in South Dakota.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Institute for Human Development
As an applied research and training center for human services at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, UMKC IHD reports to the Office of the Provost and serves as a bridge between the university and community. Through their engagement efforts, UMKC IHD provides an inter-disciplinary approach to solving problems through research, education, training, and public service. UMKC IHD is the federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) for the state of Missouri. UMKC IHD is a member of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and one of 67 UCEDDs located in every state and United States territory.
Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI)
MMI is Nebraska’s federally designated University Center of Excellence for Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). The institute provide services and supports across the state and assists people with disabilities and their families in finding services in their local communities. In addition, MMI has a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. MMI has 12 departments with multiple programs providing more than 50 types of clinical services. We have more than 40 locations across the state and provide diagnosis and treatment for approximately 15,000 children and adults annually. MMI also provides statewide technical assistance and consultation to Nebraska public schools and other programs across the state that provide services to children, youth, and adults with disabilities. MMI provides advanced training to students in a variety of specialized educational programs.
Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND)
MMI is Nebraska’s federally designated University Center of Excellence for Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). The institute provide services and supports across the state and assists people with disabilities and their families in finding services in their local communities. In addition, MMI has a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. MMI has 12 departments with multiple programs providing more than 50 types of clinical services. We have more than 40 locations across the state and provide diagnosis and treatment for approximately 15,000 children and adults annually. MMI also provides statewide technical assistance and consultation to Nebraska public schools and other programs across the state that provide services to children, youth, and adults with disabilities. MMI provides advanced training to students in a variety of specialized educational programs.SOAR Exhibitors
Autism Society- The Heartland
Autism Society- The Heartland creates connections that empower everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. Their vision is to create a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it.
HeadQuarters Kansas
HeadQuarters Kansas is leading a movement to prevent suicide and build resilience in Kansas. Since our founding in 1969, we’ve pioneered crisis and counseling services, training, advocacy and awareness initiatives to provide help, hope and healing to all Kansans.
Kansas Working Healthy
Kansas Working Healthy offers supports for people with disabilities who are working or interested in working the opportunity to keep their Medicaid coverage while on the job. Through Working Healthy people can earn more, save more, achieve their career goals, and still keep their Medicaid coverage. Kansas Working Healthy employment supports are KanCare programs.Eligibility includes Medicaid coverage and support with the costs of some Medicare programs.
KU Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU-TPE)
KU TPE ensures that students with intellectual disability (ID) have opportunities for inclusive postsecondary education at the University of Kansas that prepares them for careers and life through academic, career and student life experiences. Students in KU TPE take KU courses with personal accommodations. They also participate in KU activities with fellow Jayhawks, have the option to live in KU Housing, and develop their personal career plan.
People First of Nebraska
People First is the only statewide disability rights organization in Nebraska run by and for people with disabilities. People First of Nebraska is a statewide board of elected members from all our affiliated chapters. Volunteer state advisors and administrative support staff support them. The board raises funds, provides training and resources to local chapters, and advocates for community inclusion and self-determination for all people with disabilities.
PROVEHO KC
PROVEHO KC is a collaborative effort of families to build community and enrich the lives of adults with mild intellectual disabilities. We promote safe independent living, social interaction and wellness. The ideal candidate for our program is able to function mostly autonomously, has a desire to live independently, and wants to make friends and enjoys social interaction. Our typical participant lives in or near the selected apartment complex, is employed part or full time, is able to use public transportation or has a drivers license and is able to drive to work.
Smart Steps
Smart Steps offers an app called Smart Steps Mobile. Smart Steps Mobile is a decision-making app for teens and adults. It is useful in everyday situations such as a late ride or asking for accommodations. It prompts the user by providing options in a step-by-step manner. It also offers safety tips, practical suggestions, and social scripts to consider when asking for help. This app supports self-advocacy and social skills. It’s like a coach in your phone. Other features that come with the free download are a profile screen, a map button, a help button, and read aloud/speak aloud. Smart Steps Mobile is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.