Health Supports
JCDS nurses are members of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association. This is a national association for nurses who specialize in providing care for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It promotes education, advocacy and networking to develop an expertise in this field and support the highest quality of life for the people we support throughout their entire lives.
JCDS has nursing staff onsite or on call 24 hours a day to oversee the health and wellness of our persons supported. In addition to their regular duties, nursing staff also:
- Makes regular visits to the residential homes to talk with persons supported and staff and assess any needs they may have
- Checks that medications are stored safely and properly
- Teaches medication administration class to staff
- Offers a self-administration class for those supported who would like to gain more independence in this area of their lives
JCDS has partnered with Heartland Pharmacy to provide more than 45,000 doses of medications a month to those in our services.
Nursing also provides training for staff on how to care for specialized health care needs such as, catheters, ostomies, feeding tubes, oxygen, diabetes management, seizures and more. All JCDS staff are certified in CPR, AED and First Aid by the American Heart Association.
JCDS Health Supports utilizes interdisciplinary relationships with community providers to achieve a team-based model of care to ensure the physical and mental well-being of individuals served. We offer professional nursing oversight and quality assurance measures to promote access to community integrated healthcare and ensure preventative healthcare needs are being met.
Community Behavioral Health Team
The Community Behavioral Health Team is a cross-functional team created through a partnership between JCDS and Johnson County Mental Health that provides positive behavioral supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who also have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis.
Oral Health on Wheels
JCDS Health Supports have also partnered with Johnson County Community College to provide onsite, weekly dental services for individuals served through Oral Health on Wheels (OHOW). Individuals from the community who would like to take part in this service can contact Nursing at 913-826-2252 or email Robin Tast for more information.
Assistive Technology
Ergonomic supports and Assistive Technology (AT) supports are also available to individuals to expand mobility and functional abilities.
The Therapy Specialist will complete ergonomic assessments and seating assessments. They will also oversee obtaining proper equipment such as helmets, braces and other custom-made gear as ordered by physicians. The JCDS Therapy Specialist works with persons supported and staff to offer choices of adaptive equipment to maximize functional capability with eating, ambulation, mobility or other activities of daily living. They are available to follow up and act as a liaison for physical or occupational therapy visits and help staff and persons supported complete home therapy and exercise programs.
The Therapy Specialist will work with persons supported and train staff in proper body mechanics for safe transfers, ambulation and positioning for those in need. They provide hands-on training with lifts, including sit-to-stand, Hoyer, HandiMove and ceiling lifts. They also help with any wheelchair and walker needs. This includes coordinating with local vendors for wheelchair maintenance and repair, person-supported requests, family and staff concerns and recommendations on accessories for wheelchairs and walkers.
Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.
- AT can be low-tech: communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt.
- AT can be high-tech: special purpose computers.
- AT can be computer hardware: prosthetics, mounting systems, and positioning devices.
- AT can be computer software: screen readers and communication programs.
- AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
- AT can be specialized curricular software.
- AT can be much more - electronic devices, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze and head trackers, and much more...
Our Assistive Technology Specialist will work with persons supported with every type of cognitive, physical and sensory disability to assess their needs and obtain the adaptive equipment they need to maximize their independence.