Kansas 4M Geriatrics Workforce Education Program offering up to $1,000 for Age-Friendly Health System Participation
KU Area Health Education Center recently sent out information on funding applications being accepted for the Age-Friendly Health System Action. Details below.
Kansas 4M Geriatrics Workforce Education Program is offering $1,000 for up to 15 sites to participate in an Age-Friendly Health System Action Community and achieve Level 1 and Level 2. Additional sites may participate without reimbursement. The program uses an evidence-based framework known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation (Mind), and Mobility.
2nd Thursday of each month, 2-3 pm CST, February – December 2026
NOTE: Nursing Homes licensed in the state of Kansas as a nursing facility or long-term care unit will participate in an Action Community tailored to Kansas Nursing Homes that will meet virtually for one hour every two weeks beginning March 2026.
*Sites eligible for recognition include hospitals, ambulatory care, convenient care clinics, nursing homes, home health care, Geriatric Emergency Department Accredited (GEDA) sites, and Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) sites serving older adults across Kansas.
Learn more information or how to apply here.
Patterson Family Foundation 2026 Grant Application Timelines
The Kansas Department of Commerce shared in their most recent Office of Rural Prosperity newsletter the steps for applying for a Patterson Family Foundation grant.
“The first step in the Patterson Family Foundation (PFF) application process is to register an account. Registration will open mid-January 2026. The full application process begins in early February 2026. Follow PFF’s social media and website for more information! Patterson will be accepting grants in the following categories: Economic Opportunity, Education, Healthcare, and Community Engagement.”
Reach out to LeadingAge Kansas with any questions on grant applications.
HCBS Collaboration Meeting 4th Quarter Recording and Other Materials
If you were unable to join or need a reminder to what was discussed in December’s HCBS meeting, feel free to review the materials below.
If you have further case specific questions, please continue to utilize your direct KDHE Liaison contact.
KDADS Shares HCBS Background Check Policy FAQs Update
Below is the email shared by KDADS HCBS on December 23 with updated questions regarding the HCBS Background Check Policy.
1. What is the purpose of the HCBS Background Check Policy?
The policy establishes the procedures for conducting background checks on individuals seeking employment in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs. It ensures the safety of HCBS waiver participants by setting hiring guidelines and background check requirements.
2. Who is required to undergo an HCBS background check?
All applicants for Agency-Direct HCBS providers, Assessing Entities, Financial Management Services (FMS) providers, and employees of Self-Directing HCBS waiver participants must undergo background checks before providing direct access services.
3. What does “direct access” mean?
Direct access refers to work that involves interaction with HCBS participants, their property, personally identifiable information, medical records, treatment details, or financial information.
4. Can a provider hire an applicant on a provisional basis?
Yes, but under strict conditions:
- Provisional employees cannot provide direct access to HCBS participants.
- They can only engage in training or observation.
- Medicaid funds cannot be used to pay provisional employees before a full background check is completed.
- If the background check reveals prohibited offenses, employment must be terminated immediately.
5. What are the required components of an HCBS background check?
Background checks must include:
- KDADS Criminal Record Check
- DCF Adult Abuse Registry Check (APS)
- DCF Child Abuse Registry Check (CPS)
- KDADS Nurse Registry Check for ANE in an adult care home
- Office of Inspector General Exclusions List Check (OIG)
- National Sex Offender Registry Check
- Motor Vehicle Screen (only required if transport HCBS participants)
6. Is fingerprinting a requirement?
Fingerprinting is not required at this time.
7. Can an individual with a “prohibited” offense be hired?
• Agency-Direct providers cannot hire individuals with “prohibited” offenses.
• Self-Directing HCBS waiver participants may hire an individual with a “prohibited” offense (criminal conviction, sex offender registry match or confirmed APS/CPS finding or finding of ANE in an adult care home), provided they are not listed on the Office of Inspector General Exclusion (OIG) List.
• If an individual has a “prohibited” offense, the Self-Directing HCBS waiver participant must request from the individual, and they in turn, must provide documentation of the offense to the waiver participant before being considered for hire.
8. How often are background checks required?
Background checks must be completed every two years to ensure continued compliance.
9. What are the ongoing disclosure requirements for employees?
Employees must immediately report to their employer:
• Any “prohibited” offense.
• Any disciplinary actions against their license, certification, or registration.
• Employers must request a new background check upon notification of any new offense.
10. For Self-Direction – Who is responsible for collecting worker information as each person is hired?
• The Self-Directing waiver participant is responsible for providing documentation to the FMS provider when they hire an employee who has a prohibited background.
• The Self-Directing waiver participant is also responsible for providing documentation to the FMS provider when they hire an employee who does not have a prohibited background.
• The MCO is responsible for requesting the information when auditing the FMS provider and collecting it from the FMS provider to determine if the provider’s qualifications are met.
11. Who is responsible for conducting background checks?
The employer (HCBS provider, Assessing Entity, or Self-Directing participant) is responsible for completing all background checks using official state websites set forth in No. 5 above.
12. What happens if an employee’s background check reveals a “prohibited” offense?
• Agency-Direct providers must terminate employment immediately.
• Self-directing HCBS waiver participants may not hire individuals on the OIG Exclusion List, but can assess other offenses on a case-by-case basis.
13. Considering the implementation date of April 1, 2025, do providers need to obtain the new sex offender check now for all employees, or wait until each employee is due for the 2-year background check?
The sex offender check can be performed when each employee is due for the 2-year background check.
14. What is considered a compliant sex offender search?
• To search the database, go to Home | Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Websitehttps://www.nsopw.gov/
• Go to the “Search By Name” box. Enter the name of the employee, click name search and results will display automatically. This search will give you the most comprehensive and accurate result.
NOTE: Performing the “Search NSOPW” or “Search by Location” may provide limited results which could miss finding a prohibited match.
- The result page will show the date and time of the search along with photos of offenders/age/aliases and addresses.
- To obtain more detailed information, click the offender’s name.
- Take a screenshot of each page or print each page. This must be maintained in the employee’s electronic or paper file to show it was checked prior to hiring.
