Advocacy
Advocacy in Action
JCBS employees and volunteers attended a legislative round-table organized by Behavioral Health Holdings to address the behavioral health crisis for individuals with developmental disabilities in Johnson County.
Aimee, our Office Administrator, set up a visit with Representative Dean Dohrman to celebrate National Disability Employment Month. 
JCBS and RISE attended Legislative Day 2020, at the Capital!
Advocacy Stories
WAITLIST FOR WAIVER SERVICES
The Department of Mental Health announced that effective July 1, 2019, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD) would implement a waitlist for in-home and residential Medicaid waiver services for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities because the Missouri State Legislature did not approve adequate funding. Read More
Contact your Johnson County Legislators
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Waitlist Implementation:
- Why is there now a waitlist for services?
The Department of Mental Health announced that effective July 1, 2019 a waitlist would be implemented. This is because the Missouri State Legislature did not approve enough funding in their budget to keep people off waiting lists.
- What can I do to advocate for my loved ones?
If you would like to reach out to your state representative or senator to educate them on how being on a Medicaid Waiver waitlist affects your family, go to https://www.house.mo.gov/. Type in your address to find out who the legislators are that represent your district. Contact information can also be found here: Contact your Johnson County Legislators (pdf)
- What do I say?
Tell them your story and how being on a waitlist affects your life. Ask for their support in restoring funding to the Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities budget in order to eliminate the waitlist.
- What else can I do to educate my legislators?
Invite them to meet your family and see how the lack of critically needed services affects your life.
- Are there other advocacy efforts occurring in the state?
Leaders across the state are continuing to educate legislators on the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Opportunities are offered to visit both agencies and individuals in order to truly understand the impact of not receiving services.