eitas - Empowering Individuals Through Advocacy and Support
Eitas' mission is to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families with services that respect their choices, increase their opportunities, encourage their independence and assist their inclusion in all aspects of the community.
Eitas supports people with developmental disabilities through a variety of programs. These programs include: Transportation, Targeted Case Management (Support Coordination) for people that have active Medicaid, Community Outreach Department supports for people that do not have active Medicaid, Grant Funding for select programs which are approved on a yearly basis, and a Training Department which provides classes on a variety of topics. Eitas works to support people to be active members of their communities, and seeks to promote a culture of inclusion and individualized supports. Eitas strives be a Missouri leader in developing, supporting, and furthering a community free of attitudinal and physical barriers and where persons with developmental disabilities participate in the full, rich life of their community without fear and prejudice.
Eitas is the SB 40 Board agency for Jackson, County, MO. By statute, we provide tax funds for services to citizens of Jackson County who are deemed eligible under the definition of developmental disability and in accordance with our own local policies. See Funding Policies and Procedures (PDF download).
Introduction to Gentleness
Held at the Eitas Training Center, 8508 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO 64138
Cost: $11 - For Jackson County providers and residents.; $16 - For non-Jackson County participants.
This is a four-hour course into the basics of Gentle Teaching and is taught by Gentle Teaching educators Tracy Mauk and Sarah Vallandingham with assistance from local mentors. Gentle Teaching is based on a psychology of human interdependence. During the interactive training caregivers are asked to look at themselves and their spirit of gentleness. The training exercises assist the caregiver in identifying ways to express warmth and unconditional love toward the people in their lives, especially those supported who are the most disenfranchised from family and community life. Outcomes of this training are an understanding of and ability to teach others to feel safe, loved, loving and engaged through their own presence, words, touch and eyes; and to understand the concepts of community, companionship and connectedness.
