SENATE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Senator Umbarger, Chair
Testimony in Support of SB 346
March 20, 2007

Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today in support of SB 346.  I am Jennifer Schwartz, the Executive Director of the Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL).  KACIL represents Centers for Independent Living (CILs) across Kansas.  KACIL is driven by the following mission statement:  To coordinate efforts within Kansas and the United States to the extent that these efforts will further independent living for all.  KACIL will advocate for the civil rights of Kansans with disabilities. 
 
Centers for Independent Living provide services to people with any disability, of all ages.  CILs provide information and assistance to businesses and other entities in the community to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to live, work, and play in all aspects of community life.  

KACIL stands in strong support of SB 346, which would establish the Kansas Long-term Care Bill of Rights.  KACIL has spent hours with this committee and many others talking about ensuring a strong infrastructure for community based long-term care supports and services and working to rebalance the long-term care system we currently have in Kansas.  This bill would include important steps in building our long term care services infrastructure system such as;  gathering stakeholder input in implementation of the bill, provide an annual report to the Legislature and Governor, ensure that tracking service delivery is an integral part of the Long-Term Care system, and implement expedited eligibility for Long-Term Care services.

KACIL has a long history of promoting and empowering self-direction and consumer choice within our state for people with disabilities and the elderly.  We believe SB 346 strives to promote and empower individuals, and give them the tools they need to make decisions and direct their own lives. 

KACIL believes that SB 346 is one of the necessary steps to establish a solid process of Long-Term Care Services in Kansas. 

We thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this important legislation and would be glad to stand for questions.

 

Jennifer Schwartz
Executive Director
KACIL