The Council is pleased to announce the following awards for FFY 2012:

EMPLOYMENT

Griffin-Hammis Associates has been awarded $150,000 for three years to create a sustainable small business technical assistance and outreach center. They will collaborate with the Kansas Small Business Development Center to build capacity within the existing structure to support entrepreneurs with developmental disabilities and provide training and technical assistance to individuals, families and community service provider.

Check out their project blog at: http://griffinhammis.typepad.com/blog/

EMPLOYMENT

Kansas Project SEARCH is a combined education and work experience program for high school students with developmental disabilities. Students spend their entire school day at a business that provides space for a classroom as well as job rotation internships at the business site. Interships rotate three times during the school year and are designed to teach competitive, marketable skills. The goal of the program is competitive employment for every intern within three months of graduation. Six pilot sites were developed in Year One. Applications are being accepted through April 30, 2012, for expansion of pilot sites for Year Two.

EMPLOYMENT

Employment First Summit II: The Kansas Score Card is scheduled for April 4-5, 2012, at the Capitol Plaza in Topeka, KS. This event brings together national and local experts on employment with the goal of making employment the first priority for individuals with disabilities. Working Healthy is co-hosting the event with the Council with support from the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns and the Disability Rights Center. Registration and scholarship applications can be found at the bottom of this page and by contacting the DD Council at (785)296-2608 or kcdd@kcdd.org.

HEALTH CARE

The Disability Rights Center in partnership with the University of Kansas Research and Training Center on Independent Living has been awarded $60,000 for a period of one year to host a series of town hall meetings across the state to address preventative medical and dental care issues.

ADVOCACY

End the Wait Campaign is a 3 year project dedicated to educating the public and policymakers to take bold action to end the Developmental Disabilities Waiting List. Project staff are utilizing a multimedia approach to engage stakeholders in the movement. You can find out more information at www.endthewaitks.org.

ADVOCACY

Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas for $25,000 for a period of one year to provide education and training to individuals with developmental disabilities and their support networks regarding alternatives to the HCBS waiting list.

ADVOCACY

Creative Community Living has been awarded $15,000 for a period of one year to develop a video for primarily parents and guardians of individuals residing in our state institutions. The video will follow three individuals and their support networks on their transition from the institution to community.

ADVOCACY

Partners in Policymaking is an advocacy and leadership training program for individuals with disabilities and their family members. Training topics cover the legislative process, education, employment, housing, etc. Selected applicants are required to attended one weekend training event per month for 8 months in order to graduate. For more information and an application, please contact Keith Tatum at (785)296-1980. Application deadline for 2012 class is December 1, 2011.