Home | Life Span Institute at Parsons

Photo: Young woman wearing an identification tag at work. Text: Service to the state and nation through training, TA, research, information dissemination, and exemplary services.

Photo: Baby playing with a blue ball. Text: Service programs are fully inclusive, community based, and facilitate independence and exercising choices and options.

Photo: Grandparents, parents and children in a group outdoors. Text: Training provided to diverse audiences and grounded in researched, informed practice.

Photo: Man using assistive technology to drive a car. Text: Technical Assistance guided by implementation science and supporting transfer of knowledge and skills to practice.

Photo: mom hugging her young son. Text: Committed to optimizing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families through research, training, technical assistance, and public service.

Photo: Two friends in inclusive preschool setting. Text: Research is conducted in both laboratory and applied settings adding to scientific knowledge.

The LSI at Parsons hopes that you are well and safe during this time as we all address the COVID-19 virus. We urge you to continue to visit the official websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for information. If you have questions about COVID-19, call KDHE's hotline from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at (866) 534-3463 or email COVID-19@ks.gov. For 24/7 assistance, those who have developed symptoms can call the special epidemiology hotline at (877) 427-7317.

History

For more than 60 years, the University of Kansas Life Span Institute at Parsons has

Partnered with national, state, regional, and community partners,
Conducted research,
Developed model service programs,
Provided training for professionals involved in services to young children, youth and adults with disabilities, and their families.

The Parsons LSI includes a component of the Kansas University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD) and the Parsons Research Center.

Highlights FY 2019

Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) served 3,385 Kansans with disabilities and chronic health conditions: Provided device demonstrations for 606 people; Loaned 472 devices to people with disabilities for decision-making purposes; Helped 409 people receive funding for 421 devices valued at $336,686; Made 661 equipment reassignments resulting in Medicaid savings of $567,675; Provided more than 31,000 hours of training and technical assistance.

Kansas Inservice Training System (KITS) provided training and individualized technical assistance (TA) to 321 teachers/administrators resulting in a potential impact on 3,535 children and families. In addition, 233 technical assistance plans were developed including training and professional development events.

KCCTO-KITS ITSN. KITS, in collaboration with KCCTO, Inc., is providing statewide training and technical assistance (TA) for childcare providers. This project focuses on increasing access to and quality of child care services. This year the project provided training or support to over 3,501 providers.

Southeast Kansas Respite Services, associated with the Life Span Institute at Parsons, provided respite, supportive home care, payee, and homemaker services to 88 families for a total of 54,497 hours, as well as, managing the Social Security benefits for 166 customers in 12 counties. Through a crisis intervention program for persons with intellectual disabilities and mental illness, institutionalization was prevented for 18 individuals.

LSI Parsons Research Center. The experimental analysis of human behavior special interest group, of the association for behavior analysis international, awarded Kate Saunders its 2019 Distinguished Contributions Award. Much of the work that led to Kate’s receiving this award was done at the KU Life Span Institute, Parsons Research Center.

By the Numbers

In FY 2019, LSI at Parsons' faculty and staff provided direct services, training, or technical assistance (TA) to 25,447 Kansans in all 105 counties. Each year, more than 14,712 (average over 25 years) Kansans were impacted through

Training
Technical assistance
Conference presentations

Each year, more than 2,317 (average over 16 years) professionals, trainees, educators, and others attend regional, national, international presentations given by LSI at Parsons faculty and staff.

LSI at Parsons' faculty and staff presented their research and technical expertise to:

15 national, and international audiences, in addition to 391 in-state presentations, direct services, training and technical assistance activities
2 newsletter series were produced and distributed

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History

Highlights FY 2019

By the Numbers