News
NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR STATE HEALTH POLICY: Strengthening the Respite Care Workforce
By SD Network, 2025-10-31
The direct care workforce is one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. — with statistics showcasing a projected 772,000 new jobs by 2034. Respite care providers are integral to the overall workforce as they provide caregivers a much-needed break. As an emerging innovation from NASHP’s Caregiving State Policy Learning Collaborative, state governments have made investments in supporting family caregivers — including the provision of respite care. Research has found that when older adults’ caregivers receive supports that include respite, caregiver outcomes improve, older adults’ nursing home placement is delayed, and hospital readmissions and emergency room expenditures are decreased. The insights shared in this paper offer states examples to strengthen their respite care workforce to help ensure that caregivers have access to high-quality respite care.
64% of Wisconsin nursing home residents rely on Medicaid for their care. Wisconsin's Department of Health Services estimates billions in additional state costs if federal Medicaid reductions move forward. But if Medicaid funds shrink, Wisconsin programs like Family Care and IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) will feel it too. Home health agencies already run on thin margins, and cuts or restrictions on how states raise funds mean less flexibility to protect home-based services. A recent analysis by state disability and aging organizations warned unpaid caregivers in Wisconsin will shoulder even more responsibility if Medicaid reductions go through.
FAMILY VOICES, INC: Call for Proposals for the 2026 Family Voices Leadership Conference!
By SD Network, 2025-10-31
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The theme of the 2026 Family Voices Leadership Conference is Our Voices, Our Stories: Centering Children and Families in Systems of Care. The virtual conference brings together a community of family and youth leaders, Family Voices Affiliate Organizations, patient and family advisors, and other professional partners and stakeholders from across the country. We are seeking proposals for sessions that will help attendees reach and serve families, youth, and professionals working to improve systems or operate an effective family-serving organization. We are particularly seeking session proposals that:
IMPORTANT DATES Preconference: April 13-14, 2026, 9-5pm ET Main Conference: April 15-16, 2026, 12-6pm ET Proposals are due on December 19, 2025. |
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What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Meetra is an author living with Spina Bifida. Her first book is entitled, Dis-ability to This-ability, and it can be found at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Kindle, and here.
She also works as a Community Support Manager for adults with disabilities.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Meetra explains that she has always strived to push herself and challenge what she’s capable of doing. She wanted to join because she wanted to continue putting herself out there and helping others challenge themselves.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
Meetra shares with us that she’s working on her next few books and she has a few speaking engagements lined up. She has also started an adaptive fitness group class at Peter Kraus Fitness.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
“You can start anywhere, from the smallest aspect,” she tells us. She explains that staying in your comfort zone does not allow us to grow and thrive.
What are some of your hobbies?
In her free time, Meetra enjoys writing, participating in adaptive fitness, and watching movies. She also loves mentoring others with disabilities and volunteering with dogs.
***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.
A student in the Social Welfare Program at UW-Madison is conducting a dissertation study focused on the experiences of siblings supporting their siblings with intellectual and developmental disabilities — particularly how those caregiving roles and responsibilities change over time. Participation involves a one-time interview (about 60 minutes) over Zoom or phone, and participants will receive a $40 gift card as a thank-you for their time. Participation is completely voluntary.
See this flyer for more information
Sibling study Recruitment Flyer.pdf, 89KB ∞
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: A caregiver's survival guide: Advice from people who've been there
By SD Network, 2025-10-27
Nearly 600 caregivers responded to NPR's request to share their stories, offering practical advice and expertise. The guide covers navigating the medical system, adjusting to caregiving as a new normal, asking for and accepting support, practicing self-care through boundary setting, and managing changing relationship dynamics. The No. 1 advice from caregivers: Get help from support groups, friends, family, therapists, or faith communities, as caregiving is too isolating to do alone.
New research from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP finds 63 million Americans, nearly one in four adults, now serve as family caregivers—an increase of 20 million from 2015 to 2025. Family caregivers collectively provide an economic value of $600 billion in unpaid care, yet nearly half experience negative financial impacts.
CBS 58: Milwaukee's Ike Center advocates for more inclusive workforce for people with disabilities
By SD Network, 2025-10-24
The Ike Center has a new campaign launching in Milwaukee this month. It aims to give people with disabilities in our area training and new employment options. The campaign has partnered with several local employers around the area in the hopes of building a more inclusive workforce in the Milwaukee area.