Change has come to the way the state of Kansas provides home care assistance to a growing number of elderly people and people with physical disabilities.

Beginning January 1, 1997, the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program, carried out by employees of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services since 1982, will be privatized.

Funded by the state/federal Medicaid program, HCBS provides case management and various forms of direct care to thousands of Kansans who meet medical and income guidelines. Without the home-based services, people receiving the help would need to seek nursing facilty placement sooner.

With the new year, the HCBS program will be divided into two separate programs and direct services will be provided through two different not-for-profit agencies.

For persons age 65 and older, the new program is called HCBS for the frail elderly (HCBS/FE). Case management, development of a plan of care,

and coordination of direct services will be carried out by the 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across Kansas.

For persons age 16 to 64 with physical disabilities, the new program is called the HCBS for the physically disabled (HCBS/PD). Counselors with the 11 Independent Living Centers (ILC) across Kansas will work with consumers to develop and purchases services needed.

A list of the location and telephone numbers for both the AAAs and the ILCs is attached. Persons with questions about an HCBS program should contact these agencies for information and assistance.

SRS will continue to administer both programs, although administration of the HCBS/FE program will move to the Department on Aging in July, 1997 when that agency will begin administering all programs for consumers age 65 and older.

The division of the HCBS program into separate, privatized programs is part of a bigger change in long term care programs in Kansas. Living Independence for Everyone, or LIFE, is based on the concept of providing assistance to people who want to stay in their homes and communities in the least restrictive, most cost-effective manner. The change comes about as the state faces a large increase in the number of people needing long term care assistance in the coming years.

The goal of both privatized HCBS programs is to promote self-determination while at the same time meeting health and safety needs of Kansas citizens.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001