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Ahead of the Times
Volume 23, Number 4
January 2003

SRS AND KDOA BUDGET CUTS HIT INDEPENDENCE, INC. HARD!
Robert LeGresley, Executive Director 

The budget cuts announced by Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) and Kansas Department of Aging (KDOA) reduced the annual Independence, Inc. budget by $350,000, 28% of the nearly $1.3 million budget for the fiscal year. 

We developed a plan to deal with the deep cuts required and, working with the Independence, Inc. Board of Directors, implemented the plan. Of the Independence, Inc. budget, 85% covers salaries and benefits, with only 15% of the budget used for maintenance, phones, insurance, travel, utilities, etc. We cut many line items to cover $60,000 of the necessary cuts, however the remaining $290,000 came from salaries and benefits. 

The amount of the cuts, and the impact, is traumatic. We eliminated eight of 31 staff positions. Some of the cuts were in administrative areas, but others were related specifically to services. The position of Education Rights Advocate was eliminated, as was the position of Independent Living/Outreach Specialist. Both of these positions provided direct service to consumers, meaning that the other staff will try to pickup the load of these staff. Also eliminated was the position of Program Director. Effective January 10, Colleen Fry who has served as Program Director, will assume the role of Interim Executive Director while a search committee considers applicants to fill my position as Executive Director. I am planning to pursue a law degree with an interest in social services. 

Among the cuts we were forced to make is the frequency of the newsletter. This will be the last monthly newsletter, effective January 1, 2003 the newsletter will become a quarterly publication. 

While it would be reassuring to be able to say everything will get done with less staff, the reality is that the staff is going to be attempting to assist more consumers with significantly less resources. Despite our best efforts there are consumer needs that will not be met, and consumers who will feel that our level of service has declined. Every employee of Independence, Inc. will be making their best effort to assist every consumer seeking services, but realistically the speed, level of service, and number of services we can provide will be impacted with fewer staff. 

Our legislators, the Governor, and the cabinet need to understand that the cuts are impacting the lives of Kansans in a dramatic and harmful way. Please phone, write or e-mail your legislators, and the Governor and ask them to have the courage and vision to do whatever is necessary, including tax enhancements to provide a satisfactory level of funding. We must be advocates, and actively and adamantly tell our Governor and legislators that not only are more cuts not acceptable, but that many of the cuts already made need to be restored to provide adequate funding for SRS an KDOA.

STATE CUTS SRS BUDGET: ADVOCACY IN RESPONSE
On December 4, 2002 Janet Schalansky, Secretary of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS), announced $26.6 million in budget cuts for current year SRS services and programs. Counting federal matching funds, the total loss of funds to SRS is $49 million. These cuts are part of a $78 million cut in state spending ordered by Governor Bill Graves to offset continuing shortfalls in state revenue.
The 91 specific cuts in the SRS budget will be spread over many programs. During the Dec. 4 press conference Schalansky said "These cuts are extremely difficult and painful to make . . . the hardest cuts SRS has ever had to make. SRS partners, stakeholders, consumers, staff need to work together to get through this difficult time."

An outline of the SRS budget cuts:

• Reduce services: Reduce physical (PD) and developmental disabilities (DD) waiver funding. This freezes the PD Waiver waiting list until 156 fewer people are served. It reduces family support for 2,200 families that include a person with a developmental disability receiving attendant services through the DD waiver. Also reduces family preservation services; triples the Health Wave premiums; limits the number of brand-named prescription drugs covered by Medicaid; limits prescriptions to 31 day supply; eliminates case management for at-risk children not yet in SRS custody, eye exams and glasses for approximately 10,500 persons; hearing tests or hearing aids for approximately 4,500 persons, and incontinence supplies for children.
• Reduce eligibility for Home and Community Based Services: Eligibility requirements will tighten for child-care services and waiver services for people with physical disability, developmental disability or head injury. These attendant services provide people with disabilities of low income, assistance with grocery shopping, cooking, laundry and taking medications on schedule. Total reductions: $1.4 million state general funds; $3.5 million when including federal matching funds (all funds).
• Reduce the protected income level for the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers from $716 to $645 per month. This lowers the amount a person with HCBS waiver services may keep to pay for housing, utilities, food and transportation. Total reductions: $186,635 in state general funds; $468,931 all funds.
• Community-based grants and contracts: Reduce child care grants for quality initiatives and Early Head Start; reduce grants to community mental health centers and community developmental disability organizations. Total reductions: $6.5 million in state general funds, $8.9 million all funds.
• Reduce reimbursement rates paid to providers of child welfare services; waiver services (physical disability, developmental disability, and head injury); hospitals, pharmacies, and medical transportation providers. Total rate reductions: $4.5 million state funds and $9.1 million all funds
• Administration: Hold one of eight staff positions vacant; cut administrative and information technology costs; reduce travel and supplies; reduce operating expenditures at state hospitals; for a reduction of $8.4 million in state general funds and $15.6 all funds.

What We Can Do:
When the Kansas legislature opens the 2003 session in January, there will be an effort to restore many of the SRS cuts. For that effort to succeed, it is essential people directly affected by these cuts contact their State Representative and State Senator and let them know how these cuts are affecting their lives. Be clear and specific about the effect the cuts are having on your life! Concerned community members are also encouraged to join this statewide advocacy effort.

Kansas Centers for Independent Living are part of a statewide coalition forming, tentatively called "The Big Tent," to advocate with/for people affected by the SRS cuts. The coalition will work to have the cuts restored during the state's 2004 budget year (begins July 1, 2003). The Big Tent is also working on a tax package that, according to Robert Harder, lobbyist for United Methodist Church of Kansas, is "very specific in how to raise revenues and how the revenues would be spent." In order to succeed, we have to grassroots involvement, people across the state contacting their legislators, telling them about the impact SRS cuts are having on people's lives.

Act:

1. Contact your Kansas Legislators and Governor Kathleen Sebelius before and during the 2003 legislative session. Ask them to restore SRS budget cuts. 
   •  Write a one-page letter to the Governor, your State Rep. and Senator. A handwritten letter is most effective. You can also call by phone or TTY.
   • Be specific about the effects of these cuts on your life, or the lives of family members and friends. Mention the state's responsibility to protect our most vulnerable citizens.
   • Be respectful. Thank them for their consideration of your message.
2. Join The Big Tent Coalition. This coalition is organizing and mobilizing to deliver a unified message to the Governor and Kansas legislature to restore funding to SRS services and programs. Contact Bob Mikesic at Independence, Inc., 841-0333, 1-888-824-7277 or email: bobm@independenceinc.org to join the Big Tent Coalition, receive legislative updates, and learn of more opportunities to advocate for this cause throughout the 2003 legislative session. 

How to Contact the Governor and State Legislators 
Governor Bill Graves 
State Capitol, Second Floor 
Topeka, KS˜ 66612
TTD 1-800-748-4408 
Phone: 785-296-3232 
Fax: 785-296-7973 
Email: governor@ink.org

ALL correspondence must have a return address.

Governor-elect Kathleen Sebelius
Governor's Transition Office
Statehouse
Topeka, KS 66612
ksworks@ksgovernor.com

Kansas Legislators - Douglas County

Rep. Barbara Ballard (District 44)
State Capitol, Room 272-W
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7650

Rep. Tom Sloan (District 45) 
State Capitol, Room 446-N
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7677

Rep. Troy Findley (District 46)
State Capitol, Room 302-S
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7686

Rep. Tom Holland (District 10)
Capitol Office:
State Capitol, Room 426-S
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7654 

Sen. Mark Buhler (District 2) 
State Capitol, Room 255-E
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7364

Sen. Anthony Hensley (District 19)
State Capitol, Room 347-N
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-3245

Jefferson County

Rep. Gerald Henry (District 48)
State Capitol, Room 284-W
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7688

Senator Bob Lyon (District 3)
State Capitol, Room 143-N
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7372

Rep. Lee Tafanelli (District 47)
State Capitol, Room 175-W
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7698

Franklin County

Rep. Bill Feuerborn (District 5)
State Capitol, Room 273-W
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7697

Rep. Tom Holland (District 10)
State Capitol, Room 426-S
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7654

Senator Robert Tyson (District 12)
State Capitol, Room 128-S
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-7380

You can also contact your legislators at their home address and phone, listed in the phone book. If you are not sure who your state representative and senator are, call and ask your county clerk.

ARO MEETING
The next ARO Board meeting is on Monday January 27, 4 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Tenants are welcome to attend any board meeting. Board members please call Kelly at 841-0333 a week in advance with any agenda items and to RSVP so that we know if a quorum will be available.

ARO is glad to announce that the Housing Trust Fund awarded funds to replace deteriorating window trim, resurface the parking lots, and paint the buildings at both sites. We are most grateful to members of the HTF Board for granting the money needed for the long term preservation of these accessible units.

HOME OF YOUR OWN
Independence, Inc. still has Home Of Your Own (HOYO) funds available for people with disabilities who are purchasing their first home using the Home Owners Out of Tenants (HOOT) loan. The HOYO Grant can be used for accessibility modifications, rehabilitation, and down payment. It can only be used in conjunction with the HOOT loan. If you are interested in learning more about the HOYO Grant please call Kelly at 841-0333.

To apply for a HOOT loan, three educational steps are required. It is not necessary to complete them in any order, but all three steps must be complete before a HOOT loan will be considered by a lender:

1. Attend a First Time Homebuyer Workshop by Tenants to Homeowners. Workshops are always scheduled for the second Saturday of every odd month at 9:45 a.m. at the United Way Building at 2518 Ridge Ct. The next workshops are on January 11th and March 8th at 9:45 a.m. Call 842-5494 with questions.
2. Complete a budget counseling session with Consumer Credit Counseling Inc. Call 749-4224.
3. Attend a pre-purchase counseling session with Tenants to Homeowners. You can get a Faxed copy of your credit report in this session to preview before applying for a loan.

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS WORKSHOP
First Time Homebuyer Workshops will be held Saturday, January 11, 9:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. and March 8 at the United Way Center, 2518 Ridge Court. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
Families Together will hold a workshop on "Special Education Law" January 15, 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Independence, Inc. The community, service providers, parents, and consumers, are invited. 

SPRING 2003 COMPUTER CLASS CATALOG AVAILABLE!
The Spring 2003 Computer Learning Center Catalog is now available. In addition to the standard Computer Basics, Word and Excel classes, new classes will include Creating CDS, Cool Programs for Computers, and Creating Greeting Cards.

The Office Assistant and A+ Certification Vocational classes will again be taught. We have also added an entrepreneurial track for people interested in starting their own business. A four week course called Small Business Skills will be taught in February/March. Students will develop business plans and guest speakers will talk about such topics as marketing, small business loans, and insurance needs.

You can get your copy online at http://independenceinc.org/forms.html or pick one up at the front desk, or call 841-0333 and have a copy mailed to you.

HUMAN DIVERSITY PLANNING MEETING 
Please join us for the annual Human Diversity Task Force planning meeting at 9 a.m. on January 13 in the Independence, Inc. conference room. We will spend 9 - 9:30 brainstorming options for human diversity trainings for the coming calendar year. At 9:30 we will watch the PBS documentary, "Sound and Fury" about the controversial use of Cochlear Implants to "cure" deafness. The program follows the stories of several families as they struggle with conflicting goals and values. You will learn why the deaf community opposes the use of Cochlear Implants, and what goes into a parents' decision to choose this procedure for their deaf child, or not. A powerfully moving and informative program.

Contact Susan Mikesic at 785/841-0333 or toll-free at 1-888-824-7277 to request an accommodation or for more information. Please remember that Independence, Inc. is a scent-free zone and refrain from wearing perfumes and other scented products. Thank you.

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD WHEELCHAIRS
The Independence, Inc. Loan Bank serves our community by supplying short-term durable medical equipment to people in need at no cost.

We are in need of wheelchairs at this time. If you, or someone you know, has a good, safe, working (we cannot repair them) manual or power wheelchair they would like to donate (it's tax deductible) please call Jim McCrary at 841-0333 x227.

Below is a list of agencies which also have chairs available if you have been unable to attain one through Independence, Inc.

Jefferson County 
Jefferson County Service Organization
785/863-2637

Franklin County 
Ransom Memorial Hospital, Ottawa
785/229-8200

Wyandotte County 
CFI in Kansas City, KS
913/321-5140

Johnson County 
CFI in Johnson County
913/631-8811

Leavenworth County
COL in Leavenworth
913/250-0287

Osage County 
RCIL, Osage City
1-800-580-7245

VOLUNTEERS WANTED
The American Cancer Society's Relay Walk for Life is wanting individuals who are passionate about working on the planning committee related to this event to be held in June, 2003 at Haskell Stadium. Meetings will be short and direct. Individuals are needed to recruit teams for the walk itself. For more information contact Carol Wallace, 843-5077, or Bob Silipigni at 842-2449.

WANTED: Volunteer to help provide transportation to Baldwin City, Kansas from Lawrence on Sunday mornings. We have a consumer who needs help getting to church. If you can help, please call Susan Mikesic at 785/841-0333, toll-free at 1-888-824-7277, or by e-mail at susanm@independenceinc.org. 

WANTED: Electric box or oscillating fans that are broken or that you no longer want. Any brand and size accepted. If necessary, unwanted fans can be picked up. Contact Michael at 785/840-9861 or 841-5046 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

FOR SALE: Three-wheel Rascal scooter. Call 913/599-6639. 

MARDI GRAS MADNESS!
Independence, Inc. will be holding a Mardi Gras themed fundraiser on Friday, February 28, 5:30 p.m. - midnight at the Marriott Hotel in Lawrence. We will have live music, dancing, food, wine and beer tasting, door prizes, childrens events, beads and trinkets, pretty much the works! Preliminary planning has begun but we need your help. Volunteers are needed to help pull all of the pieces together and to help work the night of the event. If you are interested, please contact Independence, Inc. at 785/841-0333.

CONSUMER GROUPS ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING AND POTLUCK PARTY
Join us Monday, January 13, noon - 2 p.m. at Independence, Inc. for a planning party and potluck. We will plan our group activities for the year 2003. Please feel free to bring a dish/treat to share and your brilliant ideas for Cooking Club, Peer Support Group, and the Quilting/Arts& Crafts group. If you have questions contact Ranita at 841-0333. Also, if you'd like to receive information about upcoming group activities via e-mail, please send your e-mail information to ranitaw@independenceinc.org

HELP US KEEP YOU INFORMED
Starting with this edition of, Ahead of the Times, the Independence, Inc. newsletter will be coming out quarterly instead of monthly. As a result, we will need to find additional ways to keep you informed about our educational programs and support groups. If you want to keep informed, please read on:

Peer Support Group, Cooking Club, Music Appreciation, and Craft Group activities
If you want to be kept informed about our support group activities, including our Cooking Club, Music Appreciation and Craft Group meetings, please contact the agency and let us know that you would like to be placed on a mailing list for these groups. We will let you know about our events, which can include cooking and eating together, going to concerts and shows, drumming, museum hopping and creating crafts. 

Human Diversity Task Force activities
This series of trainings includes workshops on all aspects of human diversity. We bring in speakers to talk about cultural diversity, religion, disability issues, age issues, women's issues, men's issues. We also invite gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, and trans-gendered people to educate us. Plus, we host an annual potluck and an annual planning meeting. If you want to be kept informed, please contact us and we put you on the Human Diversity Task Force mailing list. 

Educational Workshops
We sometimes have workshops that focus on educating the community about disability rights advocacy, social services in the community, and other topics of potential interest to people with disabilities. If you want to be kept informed, please contact us. 

Access Task Force
The Access Task Force (ATF) is a grassroots advocacy group, part of the disability rights movement, advocating for integrated and accessible communities. Contact us if you want to be kept informed about ATF meeting, accessibility issues in our communities, and legislative issues that influence the lives of people with disabilities.

A Special Note about E-Mail: If you have an e-mail address, please call the agency and let us know. You can get the quarterly newsletter sent to you via e-mail and this saves our agency money. Also, we can e-mail you information about our support groups and educational programs, which also saves us paying for postage. 

There are three ways to inform us:
E-Mail your information to: susanm@independenceinc.org

Call 785/841-0333 or toll-free 1-888-824-7277 and ask for Lori.

Visit our Web Site at independenceinc.org and look for the "Mailing Lists" link.

Return the form below.

Independence, Inc. Mailing List Request
(please print)

My Name: __________________________________________


___ I want to receive the quarterly newsletter through e-mail.

I want to be on the mailing list for:

___ Peer Support Group

___ Cooking Club

___ Music Appreciation Group

___ Craft Group

___ Any new support groups being formed

___ Human Diversity Task Force trainings

___ Educational workshops

___ Access Task Force


Here is my e-mail address (if you have one):

_______________________________________________


Here is my regular mail address:

_________________________________________________

________________________________________

__________________________________________________
City State Zip


My day-time phone number in case of questions:

________________________________________________________

Independence, Inc.
2001 Haskell Avenue
Lawrence, KS 66046