Provider Spotlight: PRAIRIE INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCE CENTER
Date: 02/17/17
Prairie Independent Living Resource Center or PILR (pronounced “pillar” by the locals) has been a force of change in the south central and western half of Kansas for the last two decades. In January 2017 this organization celebrated its 20th birthday. It has grown from serving zero consumers in 1997 to over 600 in Fiscal Year 2016 with offices in Hutchinson, Pratt, and Dodge City. PILR’s purpose is to “achieve the full inclusion and acceptance of people with disabilities through education and advocacy”.
PILR has been a strong partner with Sunflower Health Plan for the last four years. Their staff have worked tirelessly to assist SHP program specialists in many areas including repatriation, home modifications, resource location, and independent living counseling. They have been especially strong in assisting with the Money Follows the Person program and have helped dozens of people discharge from long-term care facilities. This allows them to accomplish yet another goal, for consumers to be successful in their community of choice.
Executive Director Chris Owens stated the greatest accomplishment to date is, “making a difference in the lives of people (they serve).” Their goal for the future is to form a social enterprise through strategic planning. This next step will allow the agency to develop a funding source free of the typical strings attached with grant and government dollars. With this money and its internal passion, PILR plans to serve, advocate, and promote social justice and change for many decades to come.