The Kansas CARES Act, officially titled the Career Advancement, Resources, Employment, and Supports for the Disability Workforce Act, aims to enhance the support and development of the disability workforce in Kansas. The Act establishes a career ladder program for direct support professionals, which includes structured pathways for career progression, training, and certification. It mandates the development of career education programs in collaboration with the Kansas State Department of Education to inform students about careers in this field. Additionally, the Act requires the establishment of a statewide registry for direct support workers to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to qualified professionals.

The Act also introduces a performance-based contract program to improve care management quality by setting measurable goals for managed care organizations and other contractors. It emphasizes the need for increased flexibility and choice for individuals with disabilities in selecting their services and providers. Furthermore, the Act includes provisions for tracking labor statistics related to direct support professionals and personal care attendants, as well as the development of an online data portal to facilitate communication and information access for individuals on waiver waitlists. The bill amends existing laws to replace references to "health care" with "healthcare" and repeals certain outdated provisions, ensuring a more streamlined approach to supporting the disability workforce in Kansas.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 75-6506