News
I wanted to share this article with everyone. Movin' Out is a great organization and resource we have here in Wisconsin. So happy to see them recognized for the good work they do.
Take a peak!
Connect | Share | Learn |http://sdsnetworkwi.org/
October 3, 2013
BadgerCare? Obamacare? Federal Shutdown? Oh My!
There's been a lot happening over the last couple weeks. First Wisconsin announced that 92,000 people would be taken off BadgerCare. Then the Health Insurance Marketplaces (through the Affordable Care Act - "Obamacare") opened up for enrollment. This happened at the same time that our US elected officials decided to "shutdown" the federal government. It's not surprising if you feel confused about how this all affects you. The SDS Network has added some resources and started a discussion to help you learn about what might help you, as well as how this is all affecting you. Please take some time to check these out and participate - Members are the best source of support for each other.
It Only Takes "Five"
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the SDS Network:
- Join the Conversation: With everything that's happening at once - Obamacare, BadgerCare, and the federal shutdown - how are you being affected?
- Check Out New Resources: We've posted some resources about Health Insurance and some about the shutdown of the federal government. Please add whatever has helped you.
- Share your ideas: Julie is wondering about what questions you ask when hiring a support person or provider agency. Tell her what you think!
- Stay Up-to-Date: Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) appoints a new director, DanIdzikowski. Find out who he is and how you can contact him.
- Tell Your Story: BPDD is sponsoring the Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign. Find out how you can get involved.
Support the Network with "Five":
- We rely on contributions to keep the SDS Network in business. If you are finding it valuable to be a member,consider making a donation of five dollars or more, orbecoming a sponsor. For more information, contactDeb Wisniewski.
Join Us for a Coffee Break
Open Forum: October 16, 2013
The SDS Network Coffee Break this month will be an Open Forum. What questions do you have about self-directing your supports? How do you help other people self-direct? What are the biggest challenges for you or the people you support? We can also talk about BadgerCare, Obamacare, etc.... What do you want to talk about?
Join us and share your questions, as well as your ideas and experiences.There is no registration fee to participate, but you do need to be a Network member and RSVPs are welcome!
Welcome New Members
Stop by to welcome our newest members.
- She's an IRIS Outreach Specialist who adores her mom.
- She wants to help my family and other families to succeed with the freedoms that SDS provides.
- Sheis the Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative at CESA #4.
- He's an educator who works with students who have disabilities.
- She's abig advocate of people taking charge of their own lives.
- She's an IRIS consultant.
- Sheworks at United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Dane County asan Assessment and Planning Coordinator.
- This person is interested in self-employment.
- She's a support brokerwho works with people all over Wisconsin.
Do you know someone who should join the SDS Network? Spread the word and invite friends, families and other interested folks!
Upcoming Events
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the SDS Network:
- SDS Network Coffee Break: Open Forum, Oct. 16. Online Chat.
- Health Care Reform: What You Need to Know, Oct. 9. Online webinar - register now!
- Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference, Oct. 29-31., Wisconsin Dells, WI. - register now!
- And many more!
Post your event on the SDS Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Contact Deb Wisniewski at scgwis@gmail.com
Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) Appoints Daniel Idzikowski as Executive Director
By SD Network, 2013-10-02
DRW Appoints Daniel Idzikowski as Executive Director
Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW), the states designated protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, has hired Daniel Idzikowski as its Executive Director.
He assumed this position on September 30th.
Dan has a long impressive track record of working for social justice. Throughout his career Dan has advocated for and with disadvantaged populations across Wisconsin. He has collaborated with numerous organizations and government agencies to create innovative partnerships that advance justice, social equity, and economic opportunity. I am thrilled to help steward Disability Rights Wisconsin an organization with a tremendously talented staff committed to community collaboration and the empowerment of the disability community, Dan stated upon appointment.
Resources: Federal Government Shutdown and the Effects on People with Disabilities
By InControl Wisconsin, 2013-10-02
These are the resources we've found so far regarding the effects of the Federal Government Shutdown on the lives and services for people with disabilities. We'll add more as we learn of them. Share any other you know of in the comment area below.
Federal Government Shutdown and the effect on people with disabilities:
Resources: Health Insurance - Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"), BadgerCare
By InControl Wisconsin, 2013-10-02
If you know of any other resources related to BadgerCare changes and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"), please add them below in the comment section.
BadgerCare
- What's happening with BadgerCare in Wisconsin?WI Dept. of Health Services
- State notifying 92,000 that loss of BadgerCare imminent-News story about BadgerCare, Journal Sentinel, Sept. 24, 2013
Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")
- Healthcare Marketplace, US Health Insurance website
- Health Care Reform: What You Need to Know.Webinar, offered through ERI
Official Launch: Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign
People with disabilities are encouraged to take their legislator to work!
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) conducts the Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign every fall to raise awareness about the importance of community-integrated employment for people with disabilities in Wisconsin. Inspired by National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October), the campaign highlights how everyone wins when people with disabilities have community-integrated jobs.
People with disabilities who have community-integrated jobs are encouraged to participate in the campaign! During the campaign, employees with disabilities invite their legislator to visit them at work and the legislator gets to see first-hand the value of community-integrated employment for people with disabilities. Last year, 40 legislators including the Governor visited people working in the community! Check out the report.
A visit usually lasts less than one hour. During a visit, the participant can:
- give their legislator a tour of their workplace,
- introduce their legislator to their co-workers, and
- discuss why their community-integrated job is important to them!
People with disabilities who are interested in participating in the campaign can use the Get Started Kit. The kit provides everything needed to get started, including the Participant Application. The first step for potential participants is to get permission from their employer to have their legislator visit their workplace.
BPDD is now accepting applications and people with disabilities who have community-integrated jobs are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Once approved, participants will receive the Campaign Tool Kit, which will include everything necessary for a successful visit, including the official Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign t-shirt.
If you have questions, please contact Joshua Ryf at joshua.ryf@wisconsin.gov or call 608-261-7829.
Joshua Ryf
Communications Director
WI BPDD
(608) 261-7829
Learn more about disability-related issues on BPDD's Facebook page!
Connect | Share | Learn |http://sdsnetworkwi.org/
July 16, 2013
Show Your Pride!
Come celebrate Wisconsin's first Disability Pride Festival!Join us in Madison on July 27th to share our talents, skills, arts, energy, and pride in being who we are. This event builds on a long tradition of disability pride celebrations around the world. Our theme for this year is Forward to possibility.
Learn more about this exciting, upcoming event!
It Only Takes "Five"
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the SDS Network:
- Advance Your Advocacy:Apply for Partners in Policymaking.Self-advocates and family members of a person with a developmental disability (DD) who want to improve their leadership skills are encouraged to apply.
- Member Spotlight: Meet Carrie Bublitz-Cardarella, a passionate and energetic advocate and friend, as well as one of the people who worked to make Elven Stedpossible. Also find out about an update for a member previously in the Spotlight, Kate Parizek, who was recently honored with an award for her community work.
- Make a Difference:If you are passionate about making a change that will improve the lives of people with disabilities in your community, apply for a SPARKS grant from the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD).
- Job Opening: Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) is now accepting applications for Executive Director. Deadline: July 23, 2013.
- Tell Your Story: BPDD is sponsoring a public awareness campaign, called Better Together. The goal is to raise awareness about the many important roles that individuals with disabilities play in our lives and communities.
Support the Network with "Five":
- We rely on contributions to keep the SDS Network in business. If you are finding it valuable to be a member,consider making a donation of five dollars or more, orbecoming a sponsor. For more information, contactDeb Wisniewski.
Join Us for a Coffee Break
Many people don't realize that they can use Self-Directed Supports (SDS) regardless of whether they use Family Care or IRIS for their supports. Join us at one or both of these upcoming Coffee Breaksto share your ideas and questions, to get more connected, andto learn how these two programs enable people to use SDS,. Remember that Network Coffee Breaks are not presentations - they areinformal, livediscussions (chats) on the Network, open to all members.
SDS and Family Care, July 24, 2013:
Do you use Family Care for your supports? How do you self-direct within Family Care? What questions do you have about how Family Care can support your efforts to be self-directed? Join our special guest, Cathy Derezinski, from Community Cares of Central Wisconsin (a Family Care Managed Care Organization).
SDS and IRIS, August 21, 2013:
Do you self-direct your supports through IRIS? Or are you wondering how IRIS can work for you or someone you care about? Maybe you're just not sure what IRIS is. Join our special guest for this Coffee Break,Brenda Bauer, from The Management Group (the IRIS Consultant Agency).
Welcome New Members
Stop by to welcome our newest member.
- She's an IRIS consultant, amom, daughter, sister, wife and friend.
- She'd like to see things that work come to her community.
- She's thethecoordinator for the grassroots group ActionNet.
- She's the Assistant Director at Options for Independent Livingin Northeast Wisconsin.
- She's a parent fromNew Glarus, WI.
- Her work currently focuses on transition and employment, school inclusion and teacher preparation.
- She's got a "sassy" mom and will be our guest at the Network Coffee Break in August.
- She has a son who uses SDS.
Do you know someone who should join the SDS Network? Spread the word and invite friends, families and other interested folks!
Upcoming Events
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the SDS Network:
- SDS Network Coffee Break: SDS and Family Care, July 24.Online
- Disability Pride Festival, July 27. Madison, WI
- SDS Network Coffee Break: SDS and IRIS, August 21. Online
- Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference, Oct. 29-31., Wisconsin Dells, WI.
- And many more!
Post your event on the SDS Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Contact Deb Wisniewski at scgwis@gmail.com
LOV-Dane is in the process of hiring a second Bridge Builder to support our loved ones with disabilities. Please help us spread the word!
Application deadline is Friday, August 16 at 4pm.
Do you
- Approach the world with curiosity, enthusiasm, empathy and fun?
- Love to bring people together to create inclusive community?
- Dig deep to understand a challenge and think outside the box to solve it?
- Enjoy both supporting others behind the scenes and shining in the spotlight yourself?
- Have superb communication skills?
LOV-Dane is looking for a person who answers yes to these questions! This position will support individuals with a variety of disabilities as they explore their gifts and dreams, set manageable goals, and build the skills and connections to achieve them.
The right candidate will believe in and delight in our members; be a good listener, teacher, and salesperson; have experience breaking long-term goals into manageable pieces; be highly organized and self directed; enjoy being creative with a team; anticipate and address challenges with patience and empathy; be flexible; have the ability to respond to diverse needs and styles.
Please check out our website (lovdane.org) for all of the details about how to apply.
Disability Rights Wisconsin is seeking an Executive Director who embodies a collaborative/ shared leadership style. A successful candidate will have the ability to make complex decisions swiftly, sometimes with limited information. He or she needs to inspire a culture where deep change brings opportunity and new approaches lead to systemic improvement. The Executive Directors primary responsibilities include providing visionary leadership for DRW, managing strategic planning and policy development, and supervising daily operations that include financial oversight, program development, staff supervision and fund development. The Executive Director provides information and counsel to the Board to facilitate its decision making processes, ensuring accountability to federal, state and local congressional mandates.
Deadline: July 26, 2013 To Learn More...
Connect | Share | Learn |http://sdsnetworkwi.org/
July 16, 2013
Show Your Pride!
Come celebrate Wisconsin's first Disability Pride Festival!Join us in Madison on July 27th to share our talents, skills, arts, energy, and pride in being who we are. This event builds on a long tradition of disability pride celebrations around the world. Our theme for this year is Forward to possibility.
Learn more about this exciting, upcoming event!
It Only Takes "Five"
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the SDS Network:
- Advance Your Advocacy:Apply for Partners in Policymaking.Self-advocates and family members of a person with a developmental disability (DD) who want to improve their leadership skills are encouraged to apply.
- Member Spotlight: Meet Carrie Bublitz-Cardarella, a passionate and energetic advocate and friend, as well as one of the people who worked to make Elven Stedpossible. Also find out about an update for a member previously in the Spotlight, Kate Parizek, who was recently honored with an award for her community work.
- Make a Difference:If you are passionate about making a change that will improve the lives of people with disabilities in your community, apply for a SPARKS grant from the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD).
- Job Opening: Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) is now accepting applications for Executive Director. Deadline: July 23, 2013.
- Tell Your Story: BPDD is sponsoring a public awareness campaign, called Better Together. The goal is to raise awareness about the many important roles that individuals with disabilities play in our lives and communities.
Support the Network with "Five":
- We rely on contributions to keep the SDS Network in business. If you are finding it valuable to be a member,consider making a donation of five dollars or more, orbecoming a sponsor. For more information, contactDeb Wisniewski.
Join Us for a Coffee Break
Many people don't realize that they can use Self-Directed Supports (SDS) regardless of whether they use Family Care or IRIS for their supports. Join us at one or both of these upcoming Coffee Breaksto share your ideas and questions, to get more connected, andto learn how these two programs enable people to use SDS,. Remember that Network Coffee Breaks are not presentations - they areinformal, livediscussions (chats) on the Network, open to all members.
SDS and Family Care, July 24, 2013:
Do you use Family Care for your supports? How do you self-direct within Family Care? What questions do you have about how Family Care can support your efforts to be self-directed? Join our special guest, Cathy Derezinski, from Community Cares of Central Wisconsin (a Family Care Managed Care Organization).
SDS and IRIS, August 21, 2013:
Do you self-direct your supports through IRIS? Or are you wondering how IRIS can work for you or someone you care about? Maybe you're just not sure what IRIS is. Join our special guest for this Coffee Break,Brenda Bauer, from The Management Group (the IRIS Consultant Agency).
Welcome New Members
Stop by to welcome our newest member.
- She's an IRIS consultant, amom, daughter, sister, wife and friend.
- She'd like to see things that work come to her community.
- She's thethecoordinator for the grassroots group ActionNet.
- She's the Assistant Director at Options for Independent Livingin Northeast Wisconsin.
- She's a parent fromNew Glarus, WI.
- Her work currently focuses on transition and employment, school inclusion and teacher preparation.
- She's got a "sassy" mom and will be our guest at the Network Coffee Break in August.
- She has a son who uses SDS.
Do you know someone who should join the SDS Network? Spread the word and invite friends, families and other interested folks!
Upcoming Events
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the SDS Network:
- SDS Network Coffee Break: SDS and Family Care, July 24.Online
- Disability Pride Festival, July 27. Madison, WI
- SDS Network Coffee Break: SDS and IRIS, August 21. Online
- Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference, Oct. 29-31., Wisconsin Dells, WI.
- And many more!
Post your event on the SDS Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Contact Deb Wisniewski at scgwis@gmail.com