The Council is pleased to announce the following awards for FFY 2011:
EMPLOYMENT
The Council provided two grants to individuals with developmental disabilities to start their own small businesses. Yards by Nathan is a lawn care, leaf and snow removal service in Newton. Lucky Day Vending & Delivery Service operates vending machines and food delivery services in the Wichita area.
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. Internships 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 with 55 students.
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.
ADVOCACY
KCDD has been a long-term supporter of the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) hosted by the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy. YLF is a 5-day leadership training program for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. 26 youth from across the state attend the 2011 YLF.
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.
HEALTH CARE
Oral Health Kansas has engaged in a multi-year project to improve oral health care for adults with developmental disabilities through training initiatives for dental professionals, individuals with developmental disabilities, family members and support staff. During the last year of the project the focus continues to be on agency-based training opportunities but also promotes increased partnerships between agencies and safety-net dental clinics and extended care practitioners.