Hosted by Candace Cunningham, Candace’s Corner podcast series invites leaders across our state to talk about key issues affecting the disability community.
This season, Candace explores the history of the developmental disabilities system in Missouri.
Episode Details
Candace talks with Laura Cravens, the executive director of Boone County Family Resources, or BCFR, in Boone County, Missouri. She has spent many years working in the disability field and has dedicated her career to supporting people with disabilities and their families.
Laura’s work focuses on support coordination, which helps people understand their options, make choices, and get the services they need to live in their communities. She has seen how services for people with disabilities have changed over time and has been part of efforts to move away from institutional care toward community-based supports.
Discussion Topics
- What Boone County Family Resources does
- What is Senate Bill 40 (SB40) and its impact
- The meaning of support coordination
- How case management started and evolved
- How services changed from institutional care to community-based supports
Glossary and Resources
Terms Used in this Episode
- Case Management — Coordinating services and supports for individuals with disabilities to promote independence and inclusion.
- Community-based supports — services provided in local communities to help people with disabilities live independently and participate fully.
- Individualized Supported Living (ISL) — a service that allows people to receive support services in their own homes or a newly established residence, such as an apartment. ISL is limited to households of four persons served.
- Senate Bill 40 (SB40) — a law in Missouri that let counties collect money through a local property tax to help people with developmental disabilities. This money is used to pay for services and support that help people live, work, and be part of their community. SB40 Board uses the money to pay for things like:
- Job programs
- Housing support
- Transportation
- Help with daily living
- Other services that Medicaid or insurance might not cover
- Support Coordination — a free service provided by Missouri’s Department of Mental Health. It helps people who have developmental disabilities access the supports and resources they need in their community. A Support Coordinator:
- Helps create an Individual Support Plan or ISP
- Connects the person to community resources
- Advocates for the person’s rights and needs
Resources and Links
Organizations
- Boone County Family Resources (BCFR) helps people with developmental disabilities live and work in their communities. Services include:
- Support coordination
- Case management
- Supported living programs
- Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services (MACDDS) helps local boards and providers give good services, and offers training and resources for better support.
- People First of Missouri is a self-advocacy organization that was formed by, is run by, and exists for people with developmental disabilities in the state of Missouri. As a non-profit organization, membership consists of local affiliated chapters and promotes equality for people with disabilities so they can live the life they want in their community.
The WeSaid at the UCEDD is a Training and Technical Assistance Center that gives people with developmental disabilities opportunities to speak up, lead and teach others.
