​The purpose of Life Patterns is to promote quality life styles for persons with a disability through the provision of service administration and individualized planning. The overall philosophy of Life Patterns is to emphasize opportunities of choice, person-centered planning, independence, integration, and inclusion into the community for persons with a disability.


Life Patterns provides Financial Management Services for medicaid waivers and Limited License businesses. Life Patterns withholds all applicable Federal, State and Social Security taxes for the individual worker as well as providing worker's compensation insurance, liability and unemployment insurance as required by law.


Life Patterns is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation in the state of Kansas assisting individuals with a disability and their parent or guardian who have chosen Medicaid Recipient Directed Care* as their service delivery system.


Bailey joined Life Patterns in January 2016 as a Program Coordinator for Individuals covered under Amerigroup and United Healthcare who are on the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) waiver. Bailey graduated with a Pharmaceutical Associate's degree in 2015 from Allen County Community College. Having a family member with a disability, Bailey shares the desire to support the families and Individuals whom we assist. 

CRISTINA ENNS, Accounts Receivable

Jon joined the administrative team at Life Patterns in 2004. His background includes a variety of experiences that benefit the individuals we assist. As a teenager, Jon led Sibling Sessions at Families Together Family Enrichment Weekends. He went on to become a para-professional for the Topeka 501 School District, allowing him to gain knowledge and understanding about all types of disabilities.


His brother, Keith, has Cerebral Palsy which has given Jon great appreciation for the challenges presented to families that include a person with a disability. Jon holds a Bachelor's degree in Recreation from Emporia State University.

Sarah joined Life Patterns in June, 2017 as a Program Coordinator for individuals on the IDD waiver who are covered by Sunflower' Health Plan, as well as those on the Physical Disability (PD), Frail and Elderly (FE), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Technology Assisted (TA) waivers through all the MCOs. After years of volunteer work with Families Together, Inc., Sarah has great enthusiasm and love for the work she does with our families.

                    NANCY HEINRICHS, Program Coordinator

BAILEY GREENE, Program Coordinator

EVA MARTENS, Office Manager

SHANNON WAGNER, Chief Financial Officer

SARAH LAING, Program Coordinator

Kristen is the Employment Coordinator for Life Patterns, Inc.  Kristen graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Recreation from Emporia State University.  She was previously employed as Office Manager for Connor Wealth Management before joining the Life Patterns administrative team.

Having a family member with a disability, Kristen shares a desire to support the families and individuals whom we assist. She manages many of our day-to-day functions, including employee enrollment, accounts receivable, and general assistance.

JON GERDEL, CEO of Life Patterns

LAURA LEYVA, Spanish Translator & Program Coordinator

LIFE PATTERNS, INC.

Shannon joined Life Patterns in September, 2014 as Chief Financial Officer.  As Life Patterns has grown, so has the need for accounting knowledge.  Shannon holds a Bachelor's in Accounting from Washburn University.  She is a CPA, CIA, & CFE.  She was employed as an accountant at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 5 years and an accountant/auditor at Security Benefit for 15 years.


Shannon also brings years of experience as a Direct Support Worker and para-professional for the Topeka 501 School District.  Throughout her college years she held two jobs, one of which was working with a young man with a disability.  Her accounting experience, coupled with a desire to hold a position in which she could make a difference for individuals with disabilities, brought her to our team.

Cristina's experience with Billing and Accounts Receivable started in April 2017. Her experience as a CNA helps her to understand services and how they could continuously be improved. Her insightfulness and spirited character are a great benefit to strive bettering services for individuals and their families. 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR QUALITY IN-HOME SUPPORTS

Nancy Heinrichs has joined our team as a Program Coordinator for IDD Aetna Better Health of Kansas. Nancy comes to us with experience as a paraprofessional who assisted children with special needs, and also worked as a bank teller. She will be happy to help you with all of your questions about hours and direct your calls.

Eva has worked in the industry since September of 2013. She came in with an Associates in Accounting and was looking for a fit for herself after moving to Montezuma. She initially started as the employment coordinator and then moved on to processing payroll and management of staff. Her goal is to make sure that all services provided will encourage greater independence for our families.

 

Laura has worked for a local school district, helping children with disabilities, and started working in this industry in February of 2015. She is always willing to learn and help people understand services when language is a barrier for Spanish-speaking families.

KRISTEN GERDEL, Employment Coordinator