The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serves (CMS) reimburses each state for a percentage of its total Medicaid expenditures. This percentage, which varies by state, is called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). FMAP varies by state, based on the state's per capita income. States with lower per capita income typically have a higher FMAP.
Goals of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds
Kansas will use the state funds equivalent to the amount of federal funds attributable to the increased FMAP to supplement the implementation of one or more activities to enhance, expand or strengthen Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) under the Medicaid program. Projects that would allow the state to strategically
position its programs and services for the future:
- Maximize Benefit to Kansas Citizens
- Invest in Lasting Impact and Change
- Ensure Flexibility to Meet Evolving Needs
- Fully Utilize All Federal Funding.
- Leverage More Community-Based Resources to Support Health Equity
- Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program to Support HCBS
- State Infrastructure Support
- Training for Primary Care and Dental Providers to Expand and Improve Services to HCBS Patients
- Evaluation of the STEPS Employment Support Pilot Program
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Section 9817
provides enhanced federal funding for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) through a
one-year 10 percent increase to the share of state Medicaid spending contributed by the federal
government. This one-year increase in federal matching funds will result in new, time-limited dollars
that can be strategically invested in HCBS services in the state of Kansas through March of 2024.
The KDADS FMAP team has been working to develop initiatives based on compendium guidance and stakeholder feedback. The FMAP team will continue to provide project updates through the webpage and email.
Sequential Intercept Model
The Sequential Intercept Model (SIM), developed by Mark R. Munetz, M.D. and Patricia A. Griffin, Ph.D.,1 provides a conceptual framework for jurisdictions interested in exploring the intersection of behavioral health and criminal legal system, assessing available resources, identifying gaps in services, and conducting strategic planning. These activities are best accomplished by a diverse cross‐system group of stakeholders from the behavioral health and criminal legal systems including mental health and substance use treatment providers, law enforcement and other first responders, courts, jails, community corrections, social service
agencies, housing providers, people with lived experience, family members, and many others.
KDADS Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Leadership Committee
Secretary Howard is pleased to announce the formation of the KDADS Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Leadership Committee to help move six key areas forward to better serve individuals living with I/DD and co-occurring mental health diagnoses. Following the SIM Conference November 9-10, 2022, stakeholders with years of experience were invited by Secretary Howard to join the SIM Leadership Committee and bring expertise from key intersections of the community: law enforcement, judges, managed care organizations, self-advocates, mental health providers, and other stakeholders. This committee will lead and define priority areas and develop metrics to measure success.
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KS Regional SIM Summit Report
PDF, 1.94 MB
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KS Southern Region Final SIM Report
PDF, 2.33 MB
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Kansas IDD SIM Report 1.0
PDF, 14.04 MB
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Kansas IDD SIM Report 2.0
PDF, 1.83 MB
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About the Facilitators
PDF, 1.10 MB
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Brief Jail Mental Health Screen
PDF, 278.70 KB
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Data Collection Across the Sequential Intercept Model-Essential Measures
PDF, 11.74 MB
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GAINS Jail Re-Entry Checklist
PDF, 377.46 KB
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Helpful Acronyms
PDF, 136.71 KB
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ICCoD Information
PDF, 1.84 MB
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Information About PRA
PDF, 2.58 MB
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Revising the Paradigm for Jail Diversion - People with Co-Occcuring Disorders
PDF, 1.30 MB
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Sedgwick County KS Final SIM Report
PDF, 2.86 MB
Employment First
Employment — paid work — leads to economic opportunity, equity, and independence. Individuals with
disabilities optimize their ability to enjoy these benefits of employment through careers and jobs
available to all individuals that provide competitive earnings (wages equal to or exceeding applicable
minimum wage rates), integration (interaction with coworkers and others without disabilities similar to
that experienced by their non-disabled peers while performing their job duties), and opportunity for
advancement (i.e., “competitive integrated employment”).
Contractor Update:
The Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD), the Kansas University Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies (KU IHDPS), and the Washington Institute on Supported Employment (
WISE) would like to congratulate the following organizations who were selected to participate in the Kansas Employment First Grant Pilot Project.
Compass Behavioral Health
Down Syndrome Innovations
OCCK Inc.
Starkey, Inc.
Over the next year and a half, these providers will work to expand their capacity to provide competitive, integrated employment opportunities for Kansans with disabilities. They will be paired 1:1 with a Mentor Organization that has undergone a similar transformation, and they will have the opportunity to participate in evidence-based, ACRE accredited training opportunities through WISE so that their staff can provide state of the art competitive, integrated employment supports and services.
These pilot project participants serve culturally diverse and cross-disability populations in various parts of our great state. We are excited to see them take the next steps in turning the promise of Kansas Employment First into a reality.
Stakeholder Meeting Minutes
Workforce Bonus Program (Closed for Applications)
Recruiting and retaining a qualified workforce is important in every industry, but it is critical to the independence and well-being of individuals receiving Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
KDADS launched a Workforce Recruitment and Retention Bonus Initiative on March 28, 2022. The Initiative aimed to provide bonus pay to direct service workers and their immediate supervisors who deliver critical HCBS services to self-directed and agency-directed participants. Direct service workers and their immediate supervisors received around $2,000 for retention bonuses and $1,500 for recruitment bonuses depending on their hours worked and place of employment.
The application period has ended. Providers and fiscal agents had through April 29, 2022, to submit an application packet. KDADS received 212 applications for the program, benefitting 28,574 Direct Service Workers and their Immediate Supervisors. As of October 12, 2022, $50,944,068.00 has been transferred to the Managed Care Organizations that have distributed funds to providers and fiscal agents who have granted their applicable employee retention and recruitment bonuses. Completed closeout surveys and any remaining funds were due to KDADS by July 31, 2023.
Direct Service Workforce Training Project
The University of Kansas (KU) and Wichita State University (WSU) are working with the KDADS to develop online training courses for Direct Support Workers (DSW) in the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program. Enhanced training of DSWs will improve staff confidence in providing essential services that improve the quality of life by ensuring DSWs have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide support to each individual they serve in a strengths-based person-centered manner that produce the outcomes outlined in the Person-Centered Support Plan.
Research indicates that there is a link between thorough DSW training and an increase in retention rates. Enhanced training also provides DSWs the skill set necessary to be more marketable, allowing the DSW the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, earn higher wages and increase the quality of care provided.
Would you like to help with this important project? We are looking for individuals who receive HCBS, Direct Support Workers, and family caregivers to advise on this training.
Opportunities to help include the following. Please see the recruitment flyer link below for more information:
- Joining the Training Advisory Council (TAC) with other stakeholders to advise on training topics, content, procedures, and other needs.
- The TAC meets by Zoom on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Reviewing training materials and providing feedback.
- The time commitment varies, and payment is available.
- Testing online training modules and providing feedback. The time commitment varies, and payment is available.
DSW Training Recruitment Flyer
If interested, scan the QR code below or click this link to sign up:

If you have any questions, contact Carrie with KU at 785-864-3797 or [email protected].
Direct Support Professionals Careers
In partnership with InterHab, Sunflower Helath Plan has produced a set of videos that highlight the importance and value of the DSP position. Videos and links:
“A Great Foundation – Direct Support Professionals” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t17qiWYC9Lg
“Discover Your Passion while Serving Others” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA01f_DtraM
“A Profession that Grows with You” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfdgLW_8qtQ
IDD Waitlist Study
Coming soon ...
HCBS Behavioral Management Training Pilot
Coming soon ...
Targeted Case Management
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is working with Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG) to come up with different ways and options that will support the Kansas Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) Targeted Case Management (TCM) system in following the government rules.
KDADS and PCG will host several stakeholder meetings throughout the project and invite individuals from different stakeholder groups to participate in multiple opportunities to gather information, ideas, problem areas, and questions about IDD TCM and HCBS services. We are asking for your assistance with two tasks:
- Complete a survey based on your involvement with TCM - These surveys are completely voluntary, do not affect benefits, and are anonymous. You may choose not to participate or withdraw from participating at any time once started. If you do choose to participate, the survey should be completed by September 13th. The surveys can be found at the corresponding links below:
CDDO: https://publicconsultingroup.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5mVU2g6Iy4B2486
HCBS Providers: https://publicconsultingroup.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dcYP2x0fRXy5xmm
MCO: https://publicconsultingroup.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7V3YHgSyPTg8VIq
TCM: https://publicconsultingroup.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3QWKnmedRPxG1Wm
Individual/Family: https://publicconsultingroup.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b1kmAroTyWFkupg
- Distribute the Individual and Family Survey - We also ask that agencies assist in distribution of
the Individual and Family survey to any individuals who receive IDD targeted case management and HCBS services in your contact lists.
TCM Study Flyer (click on the image on the right to view the full-size flyer)
Kansas Targeted Case Management Study (TCM) Evaluation Form
If there are any questions about participation, the project, or your interest in participating please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your time!
Targeted Case Management Study Stakeholder Engagement Meetings
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG) invite all stakeholders to participate in our Bi-Monthly Stakeholder Engagement Meetings. These meetings are designed to facilitate communication and collaboration among different stakeholder groups. We have created meetings that target different stakeholder groups; however, anyone can join. We request that each meeting focus on the feedback and concerns of the designated groups, for example, the individuals, families, guardians, representative workgroup meeting should prioritize the input of those individuals. Regardless of which meeting you attend; everyone should work to create a safe space where everyone can share their lived experience without fear of judgment or invalidation.
The schedule, links, and details of each meeting are available below for public access.
*Meetings have already taken place in July, September, and November 2023
Technology Use Initiative
Coming soon ...
2023
2022