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KDADS details CSW rollout plan, $20,000 cap and October 1, 2026 target at final town hall
Summary
KDADS staff used their final Community Support Waiver town hall to outline implementation steps — public and tribal comment, a legislative review, operational changes — and confirmed a $20,000 annual cap, 500 initial slots and an October 1, 2026 target launch date.
KDADS representatives used the agency’s final Community Support Waiver (CSW) town hall to summarize next steps ahead of federal submission and to answer participant questions.
Caroline Hockenberry opened the session and framed the schedule: KDADS will hold a tribal and public comment period with in-person and virtual opportunities, pursue a legislative review before submitting the waiver to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and carry out operational changes including IT updates, provider enrollment and partner training.
“We will be submitting to CMS early in the spring,” KDADS staff member Michelle said. “We are aiming for October 1, 2026.”
KDADS staff reiterated several key parameters of the draft waiver. Jackie Merriweather summarized program limits: “A CSW participant can receive up to $20,000 of services in a year. That’s the legislatively established cap.” Jackie also said the legislature provided funding for 500 CSW slots in the first year.
KDADS described a stepped implementation approach. Staff said new services will be added to the CSW and MCO provider networks will be established before KDADS (working with KDHE and other departments) decides whether to expand self-direction beyond an initial set of services. KDADS expects to post rate information, service definitions and participant-profile examples on the CSW website; staff encouraged public comment when the formal period opens.
Panelists also addressed operational questions from attendees about provider selection, training and continuity of supports for people transitioning from the IDD waiver. Jackie said targeted case managers (TCMs), CDDOs and MCO care coordinators will support transitions and a new service-plan process will determine whether existing supports — for example personal emergency response systems — can continue during a move between waivers.
The town hall recording and materials will be posted to the KDADS CSW website and attendees were told how to submit feedback via email or an online form. KDADS closed the meeting by reiterating that public comment and tribal input are upcoming steps before final submission to CMS.
