Michele Heydon, Commissioner

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 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Director role in November 2018.

“Michele’s professional experience and 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 policies 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 the 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 ongoing communication with contracted providers, and managed waiver and medical services for members in the region. For 11 years before 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.

What We Do

The Long Term Services & Supports (LTSS) Commission manages a system of supports and services for the aging population and persons with disabilities, 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 monitor client services 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).