Helpers, Inc. http://www.helpersinc.org Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:43:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 R&R Respite Night Will Be Wednesday, July 10th from 6-9pm! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/rr-respite-night-will-be-wednesday-july-10th-from-6-9pm/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/rr-respite-night-will-be-wednesday-july-10th-from-6-9pm/#comments Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:45:56 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1937 Hey SOAR Families,

Our next SOARly Needed R&R Respite night will be on a WEDNESDAY night, July 10 from 6-9. Everything else is the same, just a different day of the week.

Please reserve your spot by emailing me ASAP. If you are unable to participate in this one, I would appreciate knowing that as well. Thanks! Also, regretfully, the SOAR Family Support Group meeting that was scheduled for this Saturday, June 15, has been cancelled due to not enough interest.

We will have our next meeting on the 3rd Saturday in July, the 20th. Please RSVP with Doc if you can attend. We hope you can join us for both. Thanks Doc Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D. SOAR Special Needs and People Care Pastor Grace@Home Co-Director Grace Church 8500 W. 159th Street Overland Park KS 66223 P: 913.814.7223 F: 913.851.0959 VisitGraceChurch.com OWNit365.com facebook.com/SoarSpecialNeedsMinistryAtGraceChurch

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D.
SOAR Special Needs and People Care Pastor
Grace@Home Co-Director
Grace Church
8500 W. 159th Street
Overland Park  KS  66223
P: 913.814.7223   F: 913.851.0959
VisitGraceChurch.com
OWNit365.com
Please consider the environment before printing
]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/rr-respite-night-will-be-wednesday-july-10th-from-6-9pm/feed/ 0 SPORTING Blue Valley announces TEAMSoccer! Pre-K through 18 years! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/sporting-blue-valley-announces-teamsoccer-pre-k-through-18-years/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/sporting-blue-valley-announces-teamsoccer-pre-k-through-18-years/#comments Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:54:46 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1925 Hey SOAR families

Here is a possibility for your child to play soccer.

Launching in Fall, 2013, SPORTING Blue Valley is excited to announce the addition of TEAMSoccer to its growing list of soccer programs for youth ages Pre-K through 18. TEAMSoccer is a program designed for players with physical and/or mental disabilities, who wish to learn and play the game of soccer.  Players are paired up with youth and adult mentors, when needed, to help learn the game as well as to share their mutual passion for the sport.

 

http://sportingbvsoccer.org/TEAMSoccer/index_E.html

 

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D.

SOAR Special Needs and People Care Pastor

Grace@Home Co-Director

Grace Church
8500 W. 159th Street
Overland Park  KS  66223
P: 913.814.7223   F: 913.851.0959
VisitGraceChurch.com
OWNit365.com

facebook.com/SoarSpecialNeedsMinistryAtGraceChurch

 
]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/sporting-blue-valley-announces-teamsoccer-pre-k-through-18-years/feed/ 0 New updates for Kansas Legislature http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/new-updates-for-kansas-legislature/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/new-updates-for-kansas-legislature/#comments Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:43:48 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1921
May 28, 2013
 
The Kansas Legislature went back to work today to determine the future of our State. 
 
The only thing that the Legislature is required to accomplish before calling it a year is passing a balanced budget.  To a simple soul like me, that sounds easy enough. I’ve discovered after listening to the budget and tax debates, that this is not the case.  It is never effortless when two opposing groups are unwilling to negotiate and both want to win. The House and the Senate are playing a little tug of war.  Besides pulling the rope, Legislators are now pulling overtime pay to the tune of nearly $40,000 per day ($40,000 would fund one person on the developmental disability waiting list for a year). 
 
The intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) long-term-services waiver is in a precarious place. The Siegfreid proviso that was introduced a week ago is currently included in the House Budget bill. Needless to say, we aren’t thrilled with this proviso.  It does nothing to protect us from what we believe will happen if the I/DD long-term-care waiver is gobbled up by KanCare.
 
The proviso includes the following agency requirements that are not currently in the contract with Managed Care Organizations (MCO) or the State:

  • Conduct an educational tour to provide information for persons with developmental disabilities (DD) who are enrolled and providers during calendar year 2014.
  • Review the DD service planning process of Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDO), conduct training for each MCO on the DD services system in Kansas.
  • Continue the function of the KanCare Advisory council with adequate representation of individuals receiving long-term care service and supports.
  • Review and approve all plans of care for the DD waiver where a reduction, suspension or termination of services is proposed by the MCO.
  • Report prior to the 2015 Legislative session on reduction, suspension or termination of those services.
Members of the Conference Committee are busy again today heaving the rope. If there isn’t a winner soon, it may be back to the drawing board for them.  If that happens, we may have the opportunity for another proviso to be introduced (one that might actually benefit us).
In this scuffle, until someone has been pulled over the line, please continue to let your legislators know that inclusion of I/DD services and supports do not belong in KanCare! 
 
I will admit that I’m not sure whether it is going to rain or shine on us.  But if it rains, we will fall into that mud pit still gripping on to our rope! Now is not the time to give up.  Hold tighter; pull harder, dig those heels deeper into the ground. If we lose, we still win.
 
 
Warm regards,
 
 
Lurena Mead
JCDS Community Relations Manager
]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/06/new-updates-for-kansas-legislature/feed/ 0 Monday Morning News! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/monday-morning-news/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/monday-morning-news/#comments Tue, 28 May 2013 21:08:05 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1912
May 28, 2013
The Kansas Legislature went back to work today to determine the future of our State.
The only thing that the Legislature is required to accomplish before calling it a year is passing a balanced budget.  To a simple soul like me, that sounds easy enough. I’ve discovered after listening to the budget and tax debates, that this is not the case.  It is never effortless when two opposing groups are unwilling to negotiate and both want to win. The House and the Senate are playing a little tug of war.  Besides pulling the rope, Legislators are now pulling overtime pay to the tune of nearly $40,000 per day ($40,000 would fund one person on the developmental disability waiting list for a year).
The intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) long-term-services waiver is in a precarious place. The Siegfreid proviso that was introduced a week ago is currently included in the House Budget bill. Needless to say, we aren’t thrilled with this proviso.  It does nothing to protect us from what we believe will happen if the I/DD long-term-care waiver is gobbled up by KanCare.
The proviso includes the following agency requirements that are not currently in the contract with Managed Care Organizations (MCO) or the State:

  • Conduct an educational tour to provide information for persons with developmental disabilities (DD) who are enrolled and providers during calendar year 2014.
  • Review the DD service planning process of Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDO), conduct training for each MCO on the DD services system in Kansas.
  • Continue the function of the KanCare Advisory council with adequate representation of individuals receiving long-term care service and supports.
  • Review and approve all plans of care for the DD waiver where a reduction, suspension or termination of services is proposed by the MCO.
  • Report prior to the 2015 Legislative session on reduction, suspension or termination of those services.
Members of the Conference Committee are busy again today heaving the rope. If there isn’t a winner soon, it may be back to the drawing board for them.  If that happens, we may have the opportunity for another proviso to be introduced (one that might actually benefit us).
In this scuffle, until someone has been pulled over the line, please continue to let your legislators know that inclusion of I/DD services and supports do not belong in KanCare!
I will admit that I’m not sure whether it is going to rain or shine on us.  But if it rains, we will fall into that mud pit still gripping on to our rope! Now is not the time to give up.  Hold tighter; pull harder, dig those heels deeper into the ground. If we lose, we still win.
Warm regards,
 
 
Lurena Mead
JCDS Community Relations Manager
]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/monday-morning-news/feed/ 0 FREE events for families with Special Needs at Grace Ministry! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/free-events-for-families-with-special-needs-at-grace-ministry/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/free-events-for-families-with-special-needs-at-grace-ministry/#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 15:25:24 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1901 Upcoming SOAR (Special Opportunities, Abilities and Relationships) Ministry at Grace Church! Please share with your friends! Please note that our next R&R night is on a WEDNESDAY – this is a new experiment for the summer and so many families and volunteers being gone on the weekends. Please let me know if you can attend OR if you are unable to attend this event. Our spots WILL fill fast.

 

SOARly Needed R&R (Refuel & Refresh)

  • The Grace ministry for families with special needs (Special Opportunities, Abilities and Relationships) is hosting a night of respite for parents. Parents can enjoy a break while leaving their children (birth to 70 y/o) in the lovingly care of responsible volunteers. We know that every parent needs an occasional break from the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week care of their special needs child. This allows the parents or care givers a chance to go out, shop, or just relax, enjoying some much needed time to themselves. During this time, the children will enjoy crafts, movies, games, and other fun and awesome activities. This program is FREE and is open to anyone who has a need. Dinner will be provided to all children at no charge (pepperoni or cheese pizza). Children with food allergies and special diets are welcome to bring their own food items. Our volunteers will love your child and families in a safe and secure environment. Our staff of volunteers will include medical doctors, registered nurses, physical therapists, special-ed teachers, assistants/aides and many more loving supporters for your family. All volunteers have been thoroughly screened with background checks.
  • This program is also opened to siblings (birth-8th grade). All parents of a child with special needs know that the siblings of that child do not have a “normal” life, and may miss out on some special events because of the greater need of the sibling. We provide opportunities for kids to connect with their peers and share their unique journey in a safe and secure environment. This evening we will also focus on making a special evening for the sibling which will be fun, exciting, and a night that they can do “normal” things.

When: WEDNESDAY, July 10, 6 – 9pm

Where: Grace Church, 159th and Antioch, Overland Park

How to Register: Registration is required for this program and space is limited (due by May 1). If you have attended previously, just email shunsley@graceks.org to reserve your place (please also include the siblings that will be coming). If you have not participated previously, please email shunsley@graceks.org and I will get the application to you.

 

SOAR Family Support Group

This support group is for families of special needs individuals. This is a place where parents can laugh, cry, and pray together. We often focus on topics that relate to raising a child with special needs and allow parents to share with one another. We try to meet on a monthly basis.

Our speaker is TBD. Child care is provided as the normal Children’s Ministry classes will be occurring at the same time.

When: Saturday, June 15, 6-7:15pm

Where: Grace Church, 159th and Antioch, Overland Park, Rooms 113A and B

How to Register: Email shunsley@graceks.org (Please include if your kids are coming so we can plan accordingly).

If you haven’t already, please “like” our new Facebook page: SOAR Special Needs Ministry at Grace Church. We give multiple updates everyone with great resources for you as a parent and updates and what we are doing.

Please feel free to forward this information to any family who could benefit from it! I look forward to ministering to your family! Have a blessed day!

Doc

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D.

SOAR Special Needs and People Care Pastor

Grace@Home Co-Director

Grace Church
8500 W. 159th Street
Overland Park  KS  66223
P: 913.814.7223   F: 913.851.0959
VisitGraceChurch.com
OWNit365.com

facebook.com/SoarSpecialNeedsMinistryAtGraceChurch

 

]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/free-events-for-families-with-special-needs-at-grace-ministry/feed/ 0 Monday Morning Update! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/monday-morning-update/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/monday-morning-update/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 16:01:40 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1896
May 20, 2013
 
Your Monday Morning Update
 
For the past 11 years, May 20th is a bittersweet day for me.  Today would have been my dear Mother’s 92nd birthday. 
Even during the cranky years (you all had those years I’m sure), I always considered Mom my “Angel”.  She was not only MY Angel, but my sister’s. My older sister is a warm and beautiful woman who happens to have a developmental disability.
 
When my sister was young, there were no community-based services for folks with disabilities. Schools didn’t have programs for individuals that were “different”.  My Mom, along with a multitude of like-minded parents, fought hard to develop opportunities for community–based schools and services. What developed from that advocacy was magnificent…and oh so right!
 
I have never known anyone who fought so hard for her child…that is, until I met YOU. Your advocacy this year has been quite remarkable! 
Many of you may share my opinion that politics is a game (an exhausting game). When it comes to this year’s intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) issues, I liken it toping pong. Every time we lop the ball solidly over the net, the Administration smacks a backhand swing.
 
If you want the latest examples, how about these:
 
  • Think back a week ago to Push Day (beautiful weather, beautiful people with their shared message). The visual impact and media attention it garnered was a powerful strike directly over the net.
  • The next day we are slammed with the Crumm Proviso which said “it’s either inclusion in KanCare or you don’t get waiting list dollars”. That was a backhand swing.
  • Last Wednesday, Representative John Rubin distributed a compelling letter to allmembers of the House. He firmly opposed the inclusion of non-medical long-term-services for I/DD in KanCare and explicitly explained his rationale.
  • Representatives Rubin and Lusk began gathering signatures of support for a delay.  Their hope was to capture signatures from a majority of the House (63 signatures or more). As of Monday morning, the count looks promising. This list will then be presented to the House Speaker, Ray Merrick.
  • With a majority of the House supporting a delay, the hope is that the Speaker will allow that a proviso be added to the Conference Committee Budget Bill.
We whacked a solid wallop.
 
  • On Thursday, each Republican member of the House received a letter signed by House leadership.  In essence, the letter said the leadership does not support the delay of I/DD long-term care from KanCare.
  • The letter went on to say that WE (yes…that means you and me) “are making every effort to undermine the state’s ability to improve DD services and address the DD waiting list”.
  • It revealed that the pilot is up and running (which is quite a stretch in my opinion).
  • Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the letter discussed how WE were resistant to the passage of the DD Reform Act, but fortunately the legislature made the right decision and forced us into it.  Sadly, most legislators aren’t familiar with the history of that powerful legislation and don’t understand that WE fought for it!
This volley is classified as a topspin backhand slice with a twist.
During this next critical week, remember that it’s not how hard we hit; it’s how consistent and how smart we play. 
So today, please send both your Senator and your Representative an email asking them to support a delay of I/DD long-term-supports into KanCare.  Your legislators may say there isn’t a vehicle for it, but because we play consistently AND smart, we are confident that there will be!
 
Keep those fingers crossed (but not during a volley)!
 
Warm regards,
Lurena Mead
JCDS Community Relations Manager
]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/monday-morning-update/feed/ 0 Therapy groups at CAMP PossAbilities-Starting this June through August! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/camp-possabilities/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/camp-possabilities/#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 20:59:26 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1887 Check out CAMP PossAbilities, Inc.
New location as of 6/2013
6223 Slater Merriam, KS 66202

Groups form from Mid June-August 2013. Click link for more details and exact dates!

THERAPY GROUPS
• Fun Weekly Themes
• Max. 1:4 registered therapist to child ratio.
• Max. of 6 children per group.
• All group programs include
screenings, materials,
& home program ideas.
• Fully equipped handwriting clinic
• Sensory integration gym
• Small secure environment
• Easily accessible off of I35. Deadline to Register June 1

Offering:
• Individual therapy• Specialty Groups (smaller size,additional staff)• Therapy in Pairs• Therapy Intensives• Keyboarding/Typing• Interactive Metronome • Infant massage

More information online
www.Poss-Abilities.com

2013 Camp PossAbilities

]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/camp-possabilities/feed/ 0 SPORTING Blue Valley is excited to announce Soccer Programs for Pre-K through 18! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/sporting-blue-valley-is-excited-to-announce-soccer-programs-for-pre-k-through-18/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/sporting-blue-valley-is-excited-to-announce-soccer-programs-for-pre-k-through-18/#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:02 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1880

Registration is NOW OPEN

 

SPORTING Blue Valley is excited to announce the addition of TEAMSoccer

to our growing list of soccer programs for youth ages Pre-K through age 18.

TEAMSoccer is a program designed for players

with physical and/or mental disabilities,

who wish to learn and play the game of soccer – and have FUN!

TEAMSoccer will take place on six Saturday mornings this fall at the

Overland Park Soccer Complex – training facility of SPORTING BV.

This program is NOT a team vs. team program.  It is more of an individual based program that will include drills for skill development, fun soccer games and scrimmages.

For our inaugural season, space will be limited.

We suggest you sign up EARLY to be a part of TEAMSoccer for Fall 2013.

More information can be found on our website  

www.sportingbvsoccer.org

or call Paula Bullis 913-685-2872 to learn more. 
]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/sporting-blue-valley-is-excited-to-announce-soccer-programs-for-pre-k-through-18/feed/ 0 Fun in the Sun at Marillac! Training Program 2013! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/fun-in-the-sun-at-marillac-training-program-2013/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/fun-in-the-sun-at-marillac-training-program-2013/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 18:24:25 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1874

At Marillac, we’re ready to have fun in the sun! For the fifth year this summer 2013, we’ll be offering Discovery- an outpatient social skills training program specially designed for children and teens with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders and other related conditions.

 

Children will be learning and practicing skills such as:

  • Back-and-forth conversation
  • Playing games/turn-taking
  • Greetings
  • Recognizing facial expressions and body language

 

See attached flyer for more information.  Scholarships are available, but space is limited.  For more information, or to schedule an intake interview, contact us at:

 

(913) 951-4466 or (913) 951-4300

www.marillac.org

Ana Rankin, M. S. Ed.

Discovery Team Leader

Marillac

8000 W. 127th Street

Overland Park, KS 66212

913 951 4466

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/fun-in-the-sun-at-marillac-training-program-2013/feed/ 0 Summer Swimming Lesson Announcement! http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/summer-swimming-lesson-announcement/ http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/summer-swimming-lesson-announcement/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 17:02:51 +0000 Stacy Jones http://www.helpersinc.org/?p=1862 Registration for Sensory Supported Swimming Spring II Session is now open!!! 

Lessons are offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Kirmayer Fitness Center (at the University of Kansas Medical Center) from June 4th-27th (Summer I) and July 2nd-July 30th (Summer II-no lesson July 4th). Three time slots are available: 9:00-9:30am, 9:40-10:10am, and 10:15-10:45am. Swimmers are enrolled on a first-come, first-serve basis until lessons are filled. The registration form offers complete information for getting your child registered.
Sensory Supported Swimming is a learn-to-swim program specifically for children, ages 4 to 17, with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The children learn from swim instructors and licensed therapists who have experience working with children with ASD. Therapists evaluate children’s sensory preferences and work with swim instructors to provide sensory supports to facilitate children’s success with swimming.

Children work independently with instructors or in small groups depending on their needs. Our goal is to help children learn the skills they need to swim in their community programs and/or local swim teams. As children progress, therapists will work with families to transition children to community programs.
For more information contact Jennifer Tanquary at 913-588-7198 or jtanquary@kumc.edu

Summer I II announcement
Summer I KU announcement

]]> http://www.helpersinc.org/2013/05/summer-swimming-lesson-announcement/feed/ 0