May 2025
Dear Friends of UCP Heartland,
Last week, on May 14, we had the honor of welcoming Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and Representative Raychel Proudie, who also serves on the UCP Heartland Board of Directors, to the Gibbs Center for Independence in Jefferson City. Their visit celebrated our recent expansion and emphasized the vital role Medicaid plays in the lives of individuals we serve. The Gibbs Center provides day habilitation services that help people with disabilities build autonomy, social connections, and job readiness skills. With our expanded facility, we have nearly doubled the number of clients we serve and added new spaces for music, arts and crafts, life skills training, and personal wellness. These enhancements are about more than physical space; they are about creating real opportunities for independence and dignity.
The visit also underscored the critical importance of preserving and strengthening Medicaid not only at the state level but at the federal level as well. Most of our clients rely on Medicaid and its associated waivers to access essential services that help them thrive outside of institutional settings. When waiver funding was cut last year, hundreds of Missourians were placed on waiting lists and left without care. Thanks to Governor Kehoe’s leadership and advocacy, funding was restored when he signed a supplemental state budget in April that expanded the waiver program. We are deeply grateful for his support. However, the need for strong and sustained federal Medicaid funding remains urgent. As we move forward, your partnership and voice in support of these efforts are more important than ever. Together, we are protecting independence, promoting dignity, and building a more inclusive future. We need your advocacy to #SaveMedicaid: Take Action Now!
