Services for People with Developmental Disabilities

Persons with a developmental disability (DD) can access services through a locally managed system of community service providers. The Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) serves as the local system manager and gate keeper.

Developmental Disabilities Waiver

Kansans of all ages who have a developmental disability and are Medicaid eligible can receive community-based day and residential services through the DD waiver program. The DD waiver makes medicaid funded services available for individuals in their home communities who otherwise would be eligible for placement in an intermediate care facility. CDDOs (see provider list) work with community service providers (CSPs) to deliver these services.

Developmental Disabilities Waiver

Average Monthly Persons                                                6,262
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006*                     $224,500,734
State General Funds                                             $88,557,196

*FY 06 expenditures includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07

Community and Family Services and Supports

Persons with developmental disabilities not eligible for the DD waiver may still receive some services. These services include day activities such as employment or general living assistance in the person's home and community. The state provides funds to CDDOs to assist them in covering the cost of services provided to individuals with DD in their geographical area. Families may also receive limited direct financial support through a family subsidy to defray costs associated with a child with special needs.

Community and Family Services Supports

Total Persons Served---SFY 2006                                  2,563

DD Grants

Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006                         $19,022,447
State General Funds                                             $12,779,599

Targeted Case Management--Medicaid

Average Monthly Persons                                                 8,099
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006*                        $26,228,535
State General Funds                                             $12,779,599

*FY 06 expenditures includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07

Positive Behavior Supports---Medicaid

Average Monthly Persons                                                      22
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006*                             $189,425
State General Funds                                                     $69,673

*FY 06 expenditures includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07

Private Intermediate Care Facilities  ICF/MR

These residential facilities are designed for Kansans with DD who need continuous, intensive services. These privately operated programs are funded by Medicaid. They are categorized as small (eight or fewer individuals), medium (nine to 15 individuals) or large (16 or more individuals). These facilities work closely with CDDOs to arrange supports and services in the community when the person is ready to live more independently.

Private Intermediate Care Facilities  ICF/MR

Average Monthly Persons                                                    263
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006*                       $17,610,104
State General Funds                                               $6,933,408

*FY 06 expenditures includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07

State Mental Retardation Hospitals

Kansas currently has two state operated, hospital based, residential facilities for persons with MR or DD requiring specialized treatment. The individuals who reside at the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) and Parsons State Hospital and Training Center (PSH) receive training, as well as daily living assistance. These facilities work closely with CDDOs to arrange supports and services in the community when the person is ready to live more independently.

Kansas Neurological Institute

Average Daily Census---SFY 2006                                    166
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006                         $27,109,432

Parsons State Hospital

Average Daily Census---SFY 2006                                   198
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006                        $23,038,105

Frequently Asked Questions

"How does a person with a developmental disability or a family with a child that has a developmental disability get services?"
The first step is to go to the CDDO responsible for the area in which the person lives. There are 27 CDDOs covering all 105 Kansas counties (see provider list). Kansas law makes CDDOs the single point of entry into the DD service system. They determine who is eligible for DD services within available resources. If funds are available, the CDDO is responsible to serve or arrange to serve eligible persons needing services in their area. If funding is not available, the individual is placed on a waiting list managed through the local CDDO. Individuals and families may choose their actual community service provider.

"What services are available under the DD waiver?"
Services provided include: residential services, day services, medical alert, wellness monitoring, family and individual supports, and environmental and adaptive equipment.

"I'm concerned about the quality of service provided. Who can I contact?"
All CDDOs are required to make sure the services provided by community service providers (CSPs) are of good quality, meet individual needs, and are responsive to the choices of the person with DD. The CDDO must provide on-site monitoring of these requirements by a local Quality Assurance (QA) committee made up of persons served, their families, guardians, interested citizens, and providers.

"In general, how are services paid for?"
Services are paid for from many different sources. Reimbursement for services is generally based on a predetermined tiered rate which is derived from the average level of severity of disability. Some services are paid for with state dollars, while others are paid for with a combination of state and federal dollars. Some may be funded by local county dollars, while others are paid for by the individual being served.