Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities

It was announced yesterday that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Kansas’s new Community Supports Waiver.

KCDD is awaiting more information on KDADS with specifics on the CSW rollout.

Governor Laura Kelly, in partnership with KDADS and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Kansas's new Community Supports Waiver!

✅Effective October 1, 2026
✅For Kansans ages 5 and older with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who need flexible support to live independently at home and in the community
✅Projected to serve 500 individuals in the first year
✅Includes services like personal care, respite, therapies, employment support, assistive technology, home modifications, and more

"This is a monumental step that will empower individuals and families across Kansas to live full lives by ensuring they can access the care they need, when they need it." — Governor Laura Kelly

Learn more and stay updated:
🔗kdads.ks.gov/kansascsw
🔗Full press release: https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1086/56

Lola here!

Yesterday, Whit and I had a great time in Abilene speaking at OCCK Inc.'s meeting! We shared our advocacy journeys and talked about what ABLE accounts are and how they can help people with disabilities save money while protecting important benefits 💙

We also had fun with interactive activities about managing money and learning the difference between needs and wants. Throughout the presentation, everyone asked thoughtful questions, and we talked about ways they can get involved in advocacy with KCDD 💵

Thank you to for inviting us and to everyone who participated. We enjoyed spending the day learning together and helping more people discover the power of self-advocacy 👏

Your voice matters 🗣️ Join us and become an advocate for change!



[Photo Descriptions:
01 - A few self-advocates are sitting around a table with a black TV in the background. One woman is sitting in front of a computer, and another woman is pointing open-handed to her colleague and talking.
02 - Three women are standing and smiling at one another. One woman has a pen in her hand and a paper in front of her. She is wearing a pink and white dress. The other two women are wearing a rust colored button-down dress and a yellow shirt with black pants.]

🚨 FREE EVENT FOR SELF-ADVOCATES & FAMILIES 🚨

Did you know that people with IDD experience stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, too?

Join us for Mental Health Matters, a FREE training designed specifically for self-advocates with IDD and their families + caregivers.

📅 July 15, 2026
💙 Self-Advocate Training: 5:30-6:30 PM
💙 Family & Caregiver Training: 6:45-7:45 PM
📍 Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center

PLUS:
🍦 FREE Golden Scoop ice cream
📘 FREE Behavioral Health Toolkit
🤝 Great conversation and practical tools

Registration is FREE!

Sign up today: https://bit.ly/KCDDmentalhealth

[Image description: Event flyer with text and photos of presenters: Mental Health Matters:
Trainings for Self Advocates with IDD & Their Families + Caregivers
Only 50 participants
Whit Downing, VP of Policy and Programming at KCDD
Chandra Gordon, LMSW, Facilitator & Social Work Educator
Scan to register or visit bit.ly/KCDDmentalhealth
July 15th, 2026
5:30 – 6:30 PM Self-Advocates
6:45 - 7:45 PM Families
Johnson County Arts And Heritage Center,
Overland Park, Kansas
Questions?
Contact Whit at [email protected]]