Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas

01/16/2026

Hey SACK! Do you or anyone you know want to serve on the Kansas Disability Caucus board? Now's your chance! Reach out to us or our partners at Beyond Barriers!

The Kansas Disability Caucus, Inc. is seeking board applicants! We look for people who are committed to working hard in both planning and the hands on work needed to ensure a successful Caucus. We …

01/16/2026

Hey SACK folks! Check this out! If you're a young person with a disability (11th - 12th grade &/or transition age, 18-21) KYEA is a great opportunity! Deadline to apply has been extended to February 20th!

Let us know if we can help, and if not, just head on over to Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA)'s page to apply!!

01/16/2026

Meet Colin, our Legislative Liason!

Colin has been employed with SACK since 2018. Colin serves as one of our main voices in Topeka. Colin often testifies for SACK at the Capitol. Colin collects fire station patches from across the country and hopes to display them all someday.

We’re thankful for the work he does every day.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Graphic banner with red, yellow and blue butterflies behind a white box with text that says MEET THE SACK TEAM COLIN OLENIK LEGISLATIVE LIASON + the SACK logo and a photo of a white man with short brown hair and a goatee, smiling. He is wearing a black shirt.

01/13/2026

Welcome!!

We have some exciting news ! The Arc of Douglas County is thrilled to announce the hiring of Mitzi Tyree to serve as Assistant Director for the Arc. She started today and we could not be happier to have her join our team. She will support both the Arc and SACK in her new role.
Most recently Mitzi was the Director of HCBS Initiatives with the Kansas Department for Aging & Disability Services. Many of you know her from her many years as a targeted case manager with the Kansas Self Direction program and her work as a Care Coordinator with one of the managed care organizations. She is a fabulous advocate for systems change and supporting self advocacy. Please help us welcome her !

01/12/2026

We want to hear from you at our first statewide check-in call of 2026!

It's happening TOMORROW Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 1:30pm.

The link to log on is https://bit.ly/SACKJANCALL

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Graphic banner with red, yellow and blue butterflies behind a white box with the SACK logo + text that says REMINDER
SACK Statewide Check-In Call
JANUARY 14, 2026 1:30PM via Zoom]

01/07/2026

Mark your calendars for our first statewide check-in call of 2026!

It's happening next Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 1:30pm.

The link to log on is https://bit.ly/SACKJANCALL

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Graphic banner with red, yellow and blue butterflies behind a white box with the SACK logo + text that says REMINDER
SACK Statewide Check-In Call
JANUARY 14, 2026 1:30PM via Zoom]

01/01/2026

As we close out 2025, we’re proud of the progress self-advocates have made across Kansas.

We are proud of having so many new team members and working out a rhythm of working together! For the first time in history, SACK has more support staff than ever, which means SACK self-advocates are more supported and better able to tackle more projects and initiatives!

We had an amazing annual conference and are making huge progress toward starting new chapters across the state.

What’s one thing YOU’RE proud of this year?

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Dark blue banner with red fireworks at the top and white text that says HERE'S TO A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF ADVOCACY AHEAD in small text above big yellow letters that say "HELLO 2026" and smaller text below that says, "HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR ADVOCACY ALLIES AT SACK!" + the SACK logo with a yellow glow behind it ]

12/27/2025

Before the year ends, let's meet another member of the SACK team, Heidi Akers!

Heidi, SACK’s Advocacy Coordinator, helps make our statewide work possible every day, including planning our annual conference.

We’re grateful for Heidi’s hard work and support.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Graphic banner with red, yellow and blue butterflies behind a white box with text that says MEET THE SACK TEAM HEIDI AKERS ADVOCACY COORDINATOR + the SACK logo and a photo of a white woman with short brown hair and glasses, smiling. She is wearing a gray sweater and lots of twinkly lights are behind her.

12/23/2025

Warm wishes from all of us at SACK.

We hope your holiday season brings rest, connection, and joy.

12/18/2025

Meet Shane, Self-Advocate Trainer!

Shane helps SACK present training sessions, and he is dedicated to enhancing supports to kids and youth in the foster care system. He is a strong advocate for assistive technology and a member of the Technology First for Kansans (T1K) Advisory Council. Shane is also a founding member of the Woolly Farms Foundation, which provides job training and community learning to youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

We’re thankful for his hard work and leadership.

12/16/2025

Got plans on Friday? SACK will be presenting two separate virtual trainings. Both trainings are free and will be on Zoom.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or to RSVP!

📣 SELF-ADVOCACY TRAINING for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Allies/Supporters

📅 Date: Friday, December the 19th
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Location:
Virtual training
https://bit.ly/sacktraining2025

👤 Trainers
SACK – Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas

🌟 What You Will Learn
What self-advocacy is
How to self-advocate
How to support your peers
How to find help and resources
And much more!

💬 What to Expect
Fun activities
Small group practice
Friendly and supportive trainers
Breaks in between learning

📣 988 Training for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Allies/Supporters

📅 Date: Friday, December the 19th
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

📍 Location:
Virtual training
https://bit.ly/sack988

👤 Trainers
Brooks and SACK – Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas

🌟 What You Will Learn
What 988 is
How to find help and resources
And much more!

💬 What to Expect
Fun activities
Small group practice
Friendly and supportive trainers
Breaks in between learning

📝 Sign Up or Ask Questions
Please RSVP by emailing morgans@sackonline.org or call 785-749-5588. Please let us know your first and last name and phone number.

12/10/2025

Today is Human Rights Day.

Disability rights are human rights. Everyone deserves respect, opportunity, and a voice.