In this issue: DMD 2019 date set Younger professionals can add value to a non-profit board: Independence, Inc. needs YOU! Spring Campaign is in full swing - and we need YOU! We are hiring! Payroll and Billing Specialist May is Older American's Month, Mental Health Awareness Month & more! Independence, Inc. Annual Report is out! Check out the online version Need durable medical equipment? Don't forget about our loan bank! FMS - Working for a smooth partnership between care worker and consumer Another successful Accessible Housing Projects provides peace of mind

Peace of Mind and Ease of Access: Safety and Security are the Name of the Game with the Accessible Housing Program

The Independence, Inc. Accessible Housing Program assists renters with disabilities and low incomes make needed accessibility modifications to their homes. When it comes to our homes, peace of mind and safe and secure access should be something everyone is able to experience. But for someone with a disability, this fundamental sense of security may be harder to come by. Tabitha Schreiner needed a safe way to get her son, Maximus, a chair-user, in and out of their home (pictured above with Tabitha's boyfriend, William Lee) and reached out to Independence, Inc. for assistance. Through our accessible Housing Program, after an application, verification and approval process with the City of Lawrence, Independence, Inc. was able to secure a bid from Accessibility Solutions of Eudora, for the construction of a fully accessible new ramp, grab bars and deck. Maximus now has a safe way to enter his home and his mom has peace of mind - and a big smile on her face!

With only about 17% of nonprofit boards being comprised of people under age 40 and less than 2% under 30 (source: "The Sustainable Nonprofit") it is crucial that boards look at this demographic as an asset and an untapped market for board positions.

Our Board is Recruiting! Younger Professionals and Those with a Disability are Encouraged to Apply!

Here at Independence, Inc. we value diversity and are currently recruiting people with disabilities and younger professionals to help keep our board one with a vast array of experiences and perspectives. Whether you are an experienced board member or are considering a board position for the first time, we want to hear from YOU! Visit our website for more information or give us a call 785-841-0333. Spread the word!

Are you a young professional wondering why YOU should consider joining our board? Read this article for some inspiration! https://www.proinspire.org/3-reasons-why-every-young-professional-should-serve-on-a-nonprofit-board-2/

Say Farewell to Some Familiar Faces... Spring is a time of transition and we have some changes of our own here at Independence, Inc.! 2 staff members are saying farewell this month and moving on to new chapters in their lives. Joyce Ward , longtime FMS Payroll and Business Manager, is retiring at the end of May and looks forward to this new chapter including family and travel. We wish her well in her post-retirement endeavors! Thank you for your years of service! Staff Johnson , Independent Living Specialist, was with us for a short time while he finished his college degree. We wish him well as he moves on to a new position as a hospice center Chaplain.

DMD 2019 Date Set Disability Mentoring Day is one of our biggest events here at Independence, Inc. and we have our date set for 2019! Tuesday, October 29th, teachers, staff and high school students from area schools, local business leaders, community members and Independence, Inc. staff will all participate in a day of job shadowing, mentoring and a celebration banquet. It's not too early to start thinking about whether or not YOU want to be involved! Every year we look for new businesses that are willing to mentor a student for a morning and individuals or companies that are interested in supporting this event financially. You can find all the information about DMD on our website http://www.independenceinc.org/dmd/

Independence, Inc. Annual Report The Independence, Inc. 2018 Annual Report "Measures of Growth" is published and ready to view! Visit our website to view either a PDF/printable version of the online interactive flipbook version.

Need Durable Medical Equipment? Shower benches, commodes and other equipment are stocked weekly in our equipment loan bank The Equipment Loan Bank here at Independence, Inc. is a valuable service offered to the Lawrence Community. We receive quality pre-owned durable medical goods from donors and clean and prepare them for our loan bank. These items are then available to the public at no cost (donations accepted). Items we accept include wheelchairs, transfer chairs, rollators, walkers, knee scooters, shower seats, transfer benches, toilet risers, commodes and much more. Our loan bank is open Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00

Independence, Inc. is Hiring! Independence, Inc. is currently hiring for the position of Payroll and Billing Specialist in the Financial Management Services Department (FMS). This individual will assist with the operation of the FMS, a payroll management system for individuals self-directing their attendant care through State Medicaid Waiver Programs.

Interested? Check out the job description and send resume with cover letter and three professional references to Jill Enyart, Independence, Inc. Executive Director, by Friday, May 24th. Qualified persons with a disability are encouraged to apply.

May is a Month Choc Full of Observances Including Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and Physical Fitness & Sports Month!

National Older Americans Month: May is Older Americans Month!  The  Administration for Community Living  leads the charge in observing and coordinating this month. This year's theme: Connect, Create, Contribute, encourages a collaboration among communities, families and the older adults they love and serve in finding valuable connections that promote longevity, health and mental and emotional well-being. Here are some valuable resources: https://acl.gov/oam/2019/older-americans-month-2019 Aging-related resources on housing, employment, healthcare, transportation and more from the  Southeast ADA Center https://www.adalive.org/episode54_resources Aging and the ADA fact sheet from the  ADA National Network https://adata.org/factsheet/aging-and-ada

Mental Health Awareness Month:  Did you know? May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We can all do our part to help to  #breakthestigma . Here are some valuable resources to get educated, get help and get involved. NAMI  Why Care? Campaign:   https://www.nami.org/mentalhealthmonth Mental Health America - toolkit and information  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may  Facts and Myths from the  ADA National Network https://adata.org/factsheet/health

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month: Every Body can get moving in his/her own way! " Get moving in May", "I Can Do It" and "Move YOUR Way": Just a few of the great campaigns to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. And inclusion is key! Every Body can work towards improving strength and physical health. From the Presidential Proclamation on National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, recognizing the Health and Human Services Inclusive program model,, to the  Administration for Community Living  "I can do it" program and the Move Your Way Campaign, tools, resources and support abound to get American's with disabilities moving - YOUR way! Check out some resources below and get moving today: https://www.whitehouse.gov/…/presidential-proclamation-nat…/ https://health.gov/moveyourway/ https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/icdi

Service Spotlight: Financial Management Services Department (FMS) Works to Keep the Wheels of Personal Assistant Services Turning Smoothly

It's all about consumer-directed care and decision making. In keeping with the independent living model of self-direction, our Financial Management Services department here at Independence, Inc., offers financial services to qualified individuals with disabilities desiring to direct their own personal care services under the Kansas Medicaid HCBS Waiver Program. You choose, hire, train and supervise your own personal care service worker and Independence, Inc. handles the business side of things including preparing payroll, filing returns, and filing taxes. Our FMS department is also available to help with information, filling out forms, and other assistance as needed by the consumer, their families and care attendants. Pictured above: Independence, Inc. Business and FMS Payroll Manager, Joyce Ward, assists Susan Kraus in finalizing the contract with a new personal care attendant for her adult daughter Sara who needs support for daily tasks such as shopping, cooking and budgeting. You can find out more information on our FMS services by visiting our website: http://www.independenceinc.org/personal-assistant-service-systems-pass/

Our Spring Campaign is in Full Swing!

Thank you for Helping us Grow! To keep our programs and services active, vibrant and growing, we need the support of people just like YOU. Look for a separate email with campaign details or if you're ready to give now, click on the link above and visit our secure online donation site.

Independence, Inc. 785-841-0333   comment@independenceinc.org   www.independenceinc.org