Michele Heydon was appointed as the agency’s Acting Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Commissioner effective February 10, 2023. Michele began her career at KDADS in 2017 as the Brain Injury and Technology Assisted Waiver Program Manager and moved into her most recent role of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Director in November 2018.
“Michele’s professional experience and her proven commitment to expanding access to HCBS make her the right candidate for this position,” Secretary Howard said. “I’m confident she will lead the commission forward and continue to advance polices and collaborate and coordinate with partners on issues that affect people with disabilities and older adults.”
Michele has an extensive 30-year background in HCBS serving persons with disabilities. From 2013 to 2016, she was Manager of Case Management and served as the Intellectual/Developmental Disability health plan expert for Sunflower Health Plan. In that role, she promoted compliance with federal state and contractual agreements, managed and provided training to regional staff, provided on-going communication with contracted providers and managed waiver and medical services for members in the region. For 11 years prior to her work at Sunflower, Michele served as Director of Targeted Case Management at Sunflower Supports, a Topeka company that provides day services and residential support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Michele is a native of Topeka, Kansas. She holds a B.A. from the University of Kansas and an M.A. from Northern Arizona University.
The Long Term Services & Supports (LTSS) Commission manages a system of supports and services for the aging population and persons with disabilities, which are delivered through the KanCare system in partnership with organized networks. These services include programs for individuals with physical disabilities, intellectual/developmental disabilities, seniors and children. It is responsible for coordinating intra-agency KDADS activity around KanCare. The commission works with each KDADS Commission to ensure that client services are monitored appropriately. The Commission coordinates with all three KanCare Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) regarding KDADS-specific program areas (home and community-based services waivers, adult care homes and behavioral health).
LTSS also administers a variety of community-based programs for the aging population through contracts and grants of state and federal funds. The programs administered include Older Americans Act, congregate and home-delivered meals, caregiver programs, in-home services, Senior Care Act services, as well as quality assurance programs for the Older Americans Act and Senior Care Act. In addition, it is responsible for the Aging and Disability Resource Center, or ADRC, the single entry point for older adults and persons with disabilities to connect with local experts who can help them choose a long-term services and supports option.
The Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is also administered in the LTSS Commission. PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services to individuals age 55+ still living in the community. Most of the participants who are in PACE are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.