Transition Council Resources N-Z
For use by students, families, and school personnel in the transition process from school to adult life.
Websites may be accessed by clicking on the underlined link. Email addresses which are underlined will bring up a preaddressed memo form so you may email the person concerned.
Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center (NKESC)
The Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center is a "special and regular education service provider" for the 20 school districts contained in Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Graham, Lane, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace counties. The interlocal covers more than 11,000 square miles and serves a school population of over 7,800 in grades preschool-12. It provides special education services to approximately 1292 exceptional students with an approximate certified staff of 80 and an approximate paraeducator/clerical staff of 120. Additional services include Head Start programs in 12 counties, Interactive Television coordination, Parents As Teachers (PAT) programs, media, school improvement assistance, foreign language, school nursing, itinerant administration and counseling. In 1973, the member districts drew up an interlocal agreement to band together to provide special education and other services. The interlocal agreement went into effect September 1, 1973. The governing body is the Board of Directors, which is composed of a board member from each participating district. An advisory council of member district superintendents serves to provide recommendations to the board and the administration. The Executive Director, the Director of Special Education, Assistant Directors of Special Education and the Head Start Director assume administrative responsibilities. For further information, please contact:
Executive Director, Dan Thornton, Ext. 110, email: dthornton@nkesc.org
Special Education Director, Kathy Kersenbrock-Ostmeyer, Ext. 111, email: kko@nkesc.org
Vocational Coordinator: Judy Taylor, Ext. 160, email: jtaylor@nkesc.org
NKESC
703 W 2nd street
Oakley, KS 67748
(785) 672-3125 or (785) 672-3175 fax
website: http://www.nkesc.org
Post-Secondary Education Support Services
Most colleges and technical schools in Kansas now have support services available for students with disabilities who would benefit from some adaptations made in either instruction or testing methods. Students must request these services and provide needed documentation of a disability. Colby Community College (CCC) Student Support: Monica Kane, Colby, (785) 462-3984, ext. 314
Northwest Kansas Technical College, 1209 Harrison, Goodland, KS 67735
NWKTC provides technical education to post secondary students in 13 areas of study. Programs include Auto Body Repair, Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Communication Technology, Communication Network Technology, Cosmetology, Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology, Engineering Technology, Medical Assistance, Office Computer Technology, Truck and Tractor Diesel Mechanics, and Welding. An AAS Degree will be awarded to students completing general education classes along with technical education courses. Student Support: Paul Chaffin, Goodland, (785) 899-3641 or 1-800-316-4127
email: pchaffin@mail.nwktc.edu
website: http://www.nwktc.edu
Fort Hays State University
Academic Support: Maggie Denning, Hays, (785) 628-4401
Disabilities Services: Carol Solko (785) 628-4401
Respite Care
Temporary "relief" care provided to families who have a family member with a disability or chronic illness
Jennifer Unger, DSNWK, Oberlin (785) 475-3680
Chris Pouppirt, DSNWK, Hays (785) 625-2521
Services for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Promotes the functional skills of young people in Kansas who have a handicap, disability, or chronic disease by providing or supporting needed specialty health care
For eligibility call 1-800-332-6262
For appointment at Citizens Medical Center, Colby, call (785) 462-7511 and ask for specialty clinic nurses
Western Kansas Talking Books
Audio tape/braille materials available to people who are unable to read normal print due to a physical disability or vision impairment.
Clarice Howard, Norton 1-800-432-2858
Office of Civil Rights
Addresses legal issues concerning special education and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Please call Office of Civil Rights at (816) 880-4200 Fax: (816) 891-0644
TTY: (816) 891-0582, or e-mail: OCR_KansasCity@ed.gov
SER Corporation / Rural Initiatives
Employment training for seasonal farmworkers age 16 and older.
Grace Juarez, Garden City (620)275-2181
Vicky Lumpkins (785) 623-4016 or 1-877-723-4016
Special Olympics
Provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental disabilities
Larry Koon, Dianna Gates, or Vic Oelke, Colby (785) 462-3984
Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS)
Provides a variety of social services including: adult protective services, guardian/conservatorship services, day care services, financial aid to families with dependent children, medical programs, food stamps, and a low income energy assistance program.
Contact your local county SRS office for more details
SRS - Home & Community Based Services (HCBS)
Home care services for the more severely disabled
Mental Retardation-Development Disability, Janet Pfanenstiel, DSNWK (785) 625-5678
Head Injury and Physical Disability, Gia Scott, LINK, (785) 625-6942
SRS - Quality Enhancement Program - Mental Retardation / Developmental Disabilities Services
Works with consumers and service providers to help Kansas provide a variety of integrated service options for people with MR/DD
Regional Coordinator: Mark Schulte, Hays (785) 628-3245
Social Security Administration - (SSA)
The Hays Social Security office provides a full range of services related to the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Programs. This includes assisting individuals in applying for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits and helping currently entitled recipients with issues related to their entitlement. For further information, please contact:
Bob Leiter
Social Security Administration
1212 E 27th, PO Box 938
Hays, KS 67601-0938
(785) 625-3496 or 1-800-772-1213
fax: (785) 625-3533
email: ks.fo.hays@ssa.gov
SSA - Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Income for individuals whose physical or mental disabilities place a substantial limitation on their ability to work now or in the future.
Contact Hays Social Security Office at (785) 625-3496 between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Arc (formerly The Association for Retarded Citizens)
To promote the general welfare of people with mental disabilities in their communities
June Beamgard, Rawlins Co. (785) 626-3390
Clarence Scheopner, Sherman Co. (785) 899-7268
Glovine Golemboski, Thomas Co. (785) 462-6381
WESTCO Management, Inc
Manages the Workforce Investment Act for Local Area 1. Provides job training opportunities.
Glenn Fondoble or Nancy Guthrie, Hays (785) 623-4485
Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled
Promotes awareness and advocacy for people with disabilities in Western Kansas
Rick Knight, Goodland (785) 899-5727
Brian Atwell, Hays (785) 625-6942
