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Kansas employment‑first pilot shows gains; advocates seek sustained funding and expanded family support for high‑acuity youth
Summary
Speakers reported a successful employment‑first pilot that produced 170 competitive employment outcomes and asked KDADS to fund a permanent training and technical assistance center; KCART asked for continued funding for the Kansas Family Support Center to deliver tiered wraparound supports for youth with autism and behavioral health needs.
Advocates seeking sustained investment in employment supports and youth wraparound services described recent pilot successes and requested continued funding in KDADS’ FY27 budget.
Craig Knutson, executive director of the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, said a KDADS‑funded pilot expanded ACRE‑accredited training and mentorship for employment‑support professionals and resulted in 170 competitive integrated employment outcomes as of June 1, 2025 — far exceeding a projected 20 placements. He asked KDADS to seek sustained funding for the Kansas Employment First training and technical assistance center so the state can replicate the pilot statewide and pursue possible federal grant opportunities.
Sean Swindler of the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training described the Kansas Family Support Center (KFSC), a tiered model delivering universal training, provider and parent training, and intensive wraparound facilitation for high‑acuity youth at risk of placement in PRTFs or foster care. KCART requested funding to extend the program, noting it can reach over 800 caregivers a year and helps coordinate community ABA providers, BCBA supports, and billing code alignment to make services sustainable.
Why it matters: Employment supports that increase competitive employment reduce long‑term dependency and can lower Medicaid costs; intensive family and provider supports for high‑acuity youth can prevent institutional placements and recidivism into higher‑cost settings.
Unresolved details: Knutson gave program outcomes and asked KDADS to include long‑term funding but did not specify an exact recurring appropriation amount. KCART provided program scope and projected reach but funding specifics and timeline were noted as part of the written request.
Ending: Both presenters asked KDADS to include sustained funding for training/technical assistance and for KCART’s family support model in FY27 planning to preserve gains made in pilots and keep children served in community settings.
