Helpful Links

Aging:

• The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. They have two chapters in Kansas that serve all 105 counties. For assistance, contact their 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

• Alzheimer's Foundation of America provides support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide, and funds research for better treatment and a cure.

• Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) KDADS is the state unit on aging for Kansas. To meet the needs of older Kansans, KDADS administers programs throughout the State, primarily through local Area Agencies on Aging. This site contains more information on the programs that the department offers and lists all the Area Agencies on Aging in Kansas.

• Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities (k4ad)  represents all eleven Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) who coordinate services, provide assessment, information, case management and numerous other services for seniors in all 105 counties of Kansas.

• National Security Education Association offers the Safe Driving Guide for Older Adults as a comprehensive resource on staying safe behind the wheel and knowing when to stop driving. Information on state licensing laws for senior drivers can also be found in this guide.
  

Disabilities:

• Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL), represents 12 Centers for Independent Living (CILs). Centers provide services to people with disabilities of all ages. Centers for Independent Living also provide assistance to businesses and all other entities in the community to assist them in offering services to people with disabilities. We advocate at a state and national level for the rights of all people with disabilities to live in the communities of their choice.

• Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) is a not-for-profit corporation, governed by a Board of Directors. The Council, in conjunction with the Kansas Rehabilitation Services, is responsible for the development of the State Plan for Independent Living. The SILCK is also responsible for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the implementation of the State Plan. In accordance with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act and the Council’s by-laws, the Council will include people with disabilities; parents; representatives of independent living centers; employers; and other individuals interested in services for people with disabilities.

• Listing of all Kansas Centers for Independent Living with their Organizations individual websites.

• Kansas Disabilities Rights Center The Disability Rights Center of Kansas (DRC), formerly Kansas Advocacy & Protective Services (KAPS), is a public interest legal advocacy agency empowered by federal law to advocate for the civil and legal rights of Kansans with disabilities. DRC is the Official Protection and Advocacy System for Kansas and is a part of the national network of federally mandated and funded protection and advocacy systems. As such, DRC advocates for the rights of Kansans with disabilities under state or federal laws (ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, Federal Medicaid Act, Kansas Act Against Discrimination, etc.)

Development Disabilities - Mental Health:

• Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, Inc. The Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas Inc., advances the interest of CMHCs and the individuals they serve. Towards this end, the Association provides legislative representation, offers leadership and professional education, highlights model practices and programs, and identifies resources for addressing the challenges faced by local mental health authorities.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness Kansas With affiliates across the state, NAMI provides education, support, and advocacy for people with mental illness, their families and their allies, in Kansas.

Kansas Resources:

• KanCare provides comprehensive managed care for Kansans on Medicaid. It delivers person-centered, coordinated care and is expected to generate better health outcomes. It also aims to curb the growth of spending on Medicaid services in Kansas. KanCare is coordinated through three managed care organizations: Amerigroup, Sunflower Health, and United Healthcare. Consumer assistance - 866-305-5147.

• 211 Kansas United Way operates a 2-1-1 call center that connects people to nonprofit and government human services with an easy-to-remember phone number for Kansas.

• Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC) Kansas Advocates for Better Care advocates for the fundamental rights of all adult care home residents to be treated with dignity and respect and to receive decent care. KABC provides individual consumer information reports about licensed care homes in Kansas. At no charge, these reports show the history, survey information and corrective action, deficiencies and other useful information to help in selecting a good quality care home.

• Kansas Attorney General's Office The Kansas Attorney General is dedicated to protecting Kansas seniors and other vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, exploitation, scams and fraud. As part of this commitment, his office is finding ways to educate seniors about the threats they face and provide them protection from abuse and fraud.

• Kansas Commission of Veteran's Affairs The mission of the Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs (KCVA) is to provide Kansas veterans, their relatives, and other eligible dependents with information, advice, direction, and assistance through the coordination of programs and services in the fields of education, health, vocational guidance and placement, and economic security. These programs include nursing and domiciliary care and veterans' cemeteries.

• Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) was established as an umbrella agency to oversee social services. Their mission is to protect children and promote adult self-sufficiency. A primary service provided of interest to seniors and those with disabilities is determination of Medicaid financial eligibility.

• Kansas Guardianship Program To assure that adults who are without family or financial resources and who are identified by DCF and KDADS as in need of a court appointed guardian and/or conservator will have available a qualified, trained and caring volunteer to serve as their legally appointed guardian and/or conservator.

• Kansas Housing Resources Corporation The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation mission is to enhance Kansas communities with housing opportunities. This goal is achieved through using a variety of strategies and approaches, including increasing homeownership opportunities, leveraging the construction of more affordable rental housing, preserving existing housing through rehabilitation, promoting energy efficiency improvements for owner-occupied and rental housing, providing affordable housing through rent assistance to low-income families and senior citizens, and creating housing opportunities for previously underserved persons and communities.

• Kansas Insurance Department (KID) The Kansas Insurance Department regulates and reviews companies for financial solvency and regulatory compliance, educates consumers, assists consumers, and licenses agents selling insurance products in Kansas.

• Kansas Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) The Long Term Care Ombudsman office coordinates the work of long-term care ombudsmen, who act as advocates for residents of long-term care facilities across the state. The office works to improve the quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities across the state. It also recruits and oversees the efforts of volunteer long-term care ombudsmen.

• State of Kansas Official state website providing access to all state agencies and associations, state employment, and numerous other Kansas specific topics.

• Administration on Disabilities (AoD) The Administration on Disabilities works with states, communities, and partners in the disability networks to increase the independence, productivity, and community integration of individuals with disabilities. 
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) CMS is the U.S. agency that manages Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). On this site, you can find information about coverage and benefits for these programs.
• Disability Connecting the disability community with information and opportunities.
• Eldercare Locator Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with information on senior services.
• Health Care A federal government Website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services that offers information on insurance, preventative health care and follows changes to health care laws and regulations.
• Medicare The official U.S. government site for Medicare information including eligibility, health care coverage, prescription drug plans, nursing home five star rating system and much more.
• National Council on Disability (NCD) NCD is a small, independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.
• Social Security Administration The Social Security Administration manages Social Security retirement and disability payments. This site has benefits information and answers to frequently asked questions.
• U.S. Government Official government website providing useful information on government agencies and programs.
• Administration for Community Living AoA is the U.S. government agency that advocates for older persons and their concerns. AoA works to inform people about the valuable contributions that older Americans make to the nation, as well as the needs of older people. This site contains educational material on aging-related issues.
• US Department of Veterans Affairs The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs serves former members of the American military. This site contains information about veteran health care benefits, pensions, and educational opportunities for veterans.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration evaluates the safety of drugs that are available to American consumers. It identifies drug safety concerns and recommends actions to improve the safety of prescription and non-prescription drugs and to protect the public health.
  

• AARP AARP is a membership organization for people age 50 and older. It provides its members with information about aging-related issues like health, community living, and personal finances.
• Agingcare.com provides a wealth of information and resources on a wide variety of topics of interest to caregivers. The Caregiver Forum section is an online caregiver support group.
• Benefits Check Up Many older people need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, and utilities, but are unsure of what programs are available to help them pay for these basic needs. Benefits Check Up allows users to find benefits they are eligible for.
  
• Medline Plus Medline Plus has information about specific medical conditions and medications, as well as a database where you can search for healthcare providers in your area.
• Advancing States represents the nation's 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities and supports visionary state leadership, the advancement of state systems innovation and the articulation of national policies that support home and community based services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
• Caregiver Action Network Do you provide care to a member of your family? If so, you may want to visit the National Family Caregivers Association website. It has information for family caregivers, including a resource library and caregiver forum.