Creating a shared vision for the future among stakeholders about programs and services for persons with mental retardation is the purpose of a two-day listening session" being conducted by the federal Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) in Topeka Wednesday and Thursday.

At HCFA's request, the meeting is sponsored by the Kansas Neurological Institute and will take place at the downtown Ramada Inn, 420 SE 6th Street. Consumers, providers, regulators, advocates and families from 10 states are expected to attend the conference.

HCFA, the division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which regulates facilities for persons with mental retardation, has previously recognized work being done at KNI. According to federal officials, KNI has moved away from just meeting regulatory requirements toward a person-centered" approach to working with persons with developmental disabilities. Federal officials have also indicated that KNI has created a model that will be used nationwide.

The listening session" in Topeka is the third being held by HCFA.

The previous two meetings were in Chicago.

During the meeting, four main areas identified during focus groups at the Chicago meetings will be discussed: employment/productivity alternatives; support for people vs. programs; quality assurance; and choice and self-determination. Discussions will involve methods to improve services funded by Medicaid, the joint federal/state health care program.

According to Joe Tilghman, regional administrator for HCFA, the meeting in Topeka is of special importance because changes in the way Medicaid is provided are currently being considered. In addition, regulations which govern facilities such as KNI are presently being rewritten.

The keynote speaker for the conference will be Ruth Seinkiewicz-Mercer, author of I Raise My Eyes to Say Yes. Seinkiewicz-Mercer will talk about her life since moving from living in an institution to an independent lifestyle.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001