As you know, I am a member of the South Central Kansas Delegation. We sponsor a weekly lunch meeting where we invite speakers in to discuss a variety of topics. Today our presenters were from the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Kansas and they gave a brief overview of available services.
Funds are currently available for Kansans with disabilities, 60 and older in need of assistive technology. Awards of up to one-half the purchase price (not to exceed $2,500), will be made to individuals who are seeking such items as manual wheelchairs, van modifications, lift chairs, home modifications for accessibility, ramps, walkers and crutches, to name a few.
The funds can also be used for Medicare or insurance co-pays and deductibles on eligible equipment. Applicants must meet UCP’s financial eligibility criteria of an income less than $55,000 for a family of two ($50,000 for an individual) and submit claims to Medicare, medicaid or private insurance, if applicable.
Last year the Legislature through the Department on Aging appropriated for the UCP Grant, $30,000 that is used as matching funds and when leveraged produced $172,005.57 in benefits for those eligible. This money can truly be a life changing event for some of our most vulnerable citizens.
One fascinating service they provide is that of building posture seating for wheel chairs. This time consuming and extensive procedure allows for those that are confined to wheel chairs to have a comfortable custom-fit and posture conforming seat. A seat designed to prevent painful pressure sores, by aligning the seat to the users body. This is a very expensive and time consuming procedure that is conducted in Wichita.
For more information or to request an application contact Dave Jones UCP of Kansas Executive Director. 316-652-1538 or davej@UCPofKansas.org.
Applications are being accepted for the McCloy Fellowship in Agriculture, an exchange program for American and German farmers. Four fellows from each country swap countries for 21 days. Applications are due by March 20th. For more information go to www.kfb.org, or call Kerry Spencer at 785-587-6160, or email spencerk@kfb.org.
Thanks to the energy, passion and the spirit of one young activist, others are now answering the call to serve. Eleven Hundred Torches seeks to encourage hundreds of ordinary citizens to serve others. Inspired by the life of advocate and activist Jana Mackey, and motivated into action by her death, this national campaign has been created to inspire others to make a difference.
Jana Mackey served as an advocate and devoted civic servant. She worked tirelessly to promote the rights of women, victims of violence, and the voices of many often unheard and under represented. A victim of an unjust crime, she was taken before her time.
On July 9th, 2008 speakers at Jana’s celebration of life” service called on the 1100 people in attendance to pick up her fallen torch and find the courage to carry her work forward It is the hope that her single torch will soon become eleven hundred torches-eleven hundred others making a difference in our world. For more information go to www.1100torches.org, or write Eleven Hundred torches, P.O. Box 647, Hays KS. 67601.
Since the 1950's, Kansas public policy has been that state agencies, state universities and Unified School Districts (USD’s) purchase products manufactured by blind and disabled Kansas citizens as a means for creating employment opportunities for these Kansans that otherwise might not exist. This policy is set out in K.S.A. 75-3317 et seq and is known as the Kansas Use Law. (SUL)
In 2004, several Kansas SUL Vendors and providers joined to form the Coalition for Opportunity. Members of this coalition committed themselves to updating and improving the existing SUL program for both vendors and required purchasers. In 2005 the coalition successfully lobbied the Kansas Legislature to update the law and create an oversight committee.
During this most recent reporting period, the number of active SUL vendors stands at 10 and they employ over 400 blind and disabled Kansans, many of who were afforded their first opportunity to earn a competitive wage, obtain access to health benefits and sustain viable employment.
Our local schools supported the program in 2008 by making purchases as follows:
Wichita USD 259 ($307,687.50), El Dorado USD 490 ($13,339.62), Circle USD 375 ($84.18)
Remington USD 206 ($2,836.87) Flinthills USD 492 ($49.65)
Some of the services and products include document imaging, new and re-manufactured toner cartridges, product tags and inventory decals, office supplies, air filters and janitorial services.
I consider it an honor and privilege to serve as your Representative in Topeka, if I can be of help to you or your family please contact me at my Topeka office 785-296-7655, or john.grange@house.ks.gov , johng@carlisleinc.net, www.johngrange.net. MY home address is 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado Kansas 67042.
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