Topeka, KS– Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has been awarded $4.97 million in grant funding to give Kansans with disabilities more flexibility in where they live and receive services.  Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) program provided the funding to increase the home- and community-based services (HCBS) available to Kansans who want to transition from institutional care to independent living.

“Kansans with disabilities are vital members of our communities, and they deserve the support they need to live with safety and dignity wherever they choose,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding will help ensure every Kansan has the tools he or she needs to be independent.”

Kansas is one of five states and territories to receive this funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

“KDADS is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the resources and information they need to make the most informed choices for their care within the comfort of their own community or home,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “This funding is important to our efforts to expand access and provide more choice to Kansans ready to transition from institutional care to living independently.”

MFP is a five-year cooperative agreement between CMS and the State of Kansas to begin a 16-month planning and implementation period. KDADS will work with stakeholders across the state to develop the program.