News
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: County Fact Sheets: DHS 2019-2021 Budget Proposal
By SD Network, 2019-05-01
Wisconsin Department of Health Services has a new web page where you can see how DHS's proposed budget with Medicaid expansion would affect your county. You can click on your county to get a breakdown of how much additional funding would be brought into local communities under the Governor's budget proposal estimated at allowing Wisconsin to draw down a total of $1.6 billion in new federal funding. People can see how much is projected to go towards expanding access to dental care and mental health services, increased wages for direct care workers and more.
Recently, Governor Evers signed his first bill into law. With many people with disabilities in attendance, he signed a bill that removes the term "mental retardation" from state agency rules and regulations. The new law immediately replaces the term with "intellectual disability" in all administrative code.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Trump Administration Pushing States To Make Medicaid Changes
By SD Network, 2019-04-30
Advocates worry that Medicaid funding for people with disabilities could be jeopardized if some states succeed in overhauling how they receive federal dollars. Some states have shown interested in receiving "block grants" from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Currently, states receive matching funding from the federal government without pre-set limits. If states choose to change that approach, they would have better flexibility on how to spend the money, but they'd receive a fixed amount. Advocates are worried that this wouldn't allow enough funding for health care or home and community based services for people with disabilities.
2019-2020 Training Opportunities for Families of Youth with Disabilities
What is a Transition Parents in Partnership?
Transition Parents in Partnership (PIP) is an opportunity for families to learn about the transition process for their youth with disabilities ages 14-21 in the areas of employment, education, living and health.
Why Should I attend a Transition PIP?
- Learn about planning for life after high school
- Learn about valuable resources and adult services
- Become part of a network of parents who have youth with disabilities
- Explore ways to share the information I have learned
- Strengthen partnerships between the many professionals I interact with on behalf of my child
For more information about PIP and for the locations and dates for the 2019-2020 PIP trainings visit: https://wspei.org/families/pip.php
What is Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment?
Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment (YiPPE) is an opportunity for youth with disabilities (ages 14-21) and their parents to learn about the transition process in a unique way while building real life skills in the areas of employment, education, living and health.
Why Should I attend YiPPE?
- Learn about planning for life after high school
- Learn about valuable resources and adult services
- Become part of a network of parents who have youth with disabilities
- Explore ways to share the information I have learned
- Strengthen partnerships between the many professionals I interact with on behalf of my child
Why Should my Youth Attend YiPPE?
- Learn how to make decisions for themselves
- Get involved in their school and community
- Learn how to speak for themselves
- Prepare for college and/or work
- Meet other youth
For more information about YiPPE and for the locations and dates for the 2019-2020 YiPPE trainings visit: www.wspei.org/families/yippe.php
If I’m Interested in either of these trainings, what do I do next?
- To register for a YiPPE training, contact Sherry Gundlach 920-896-1003.
- To register for the Fennimore Transition PIP training, contact Kari Todryk 608-745-5421.
All trainings are FREE of charge to families. Overnights, meals, and resources are paid for with a DPI IDEA Discretionary Grant.
*To learn more about WSPEI please click here to visit the website*
What's your story? Tell us a little about yourself.
Marilee was born and raised in Stevens Point, WI. Born with something called Tetra-Amelia, she’s missing all four limbs, but that doesn’t stop her. She tells people, “don’t feel sorry for me. I don’t know what it is like to have arms or legs, so I’m not missing anything!”
After high school, Marilee went to UW-Whitewater where she earned a degree in Graphic Design. She explains that her experience in college was great. She had personal care workers that assisted her and it was the first time she was able to live independently. It was in college that she got involved in advocating for disability rights. She connected with a national advocacy group called ADAPT. ADAPT is a national grassroots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom. She also became involved in the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin where she served as the Council’s Secretary and Chair of the Membership Committee. She and her husband have attended several national rallies. They co-founded Central Wisconsin ADAPT. She’s very proud to be National ADAPT’s Media Chair and an ADAPT member!
Marilee owns her own business called Adamski-Smith Multimedia Solutions. Through her business, she provides a host of services. She can design and create logos, business cards and brochures; make slideshows, do video editing and DVD authoring, photo restoration, DVD conversion, website design and hosting. She really enjoys owning her own business.
Currently, Marilee and her husband live in Brookfield Wisconsin, and in the very near future, and they also plan to design and build a universal design home. They hope to start a family soon. Her disability does not define her. She says, “I am a wife, business owner, sister, Godmother, Aunt, and a great friend. Who knows where life will take me next; I am so thankful for all the experiences that I went through in my life. If I didn't have the experiences that I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today and it all started with how I was brought up by my parents and the help of self-directed services that allows me to live independently in the community, in my own home. They have shaped me into the person I am today!”
How are you involved with self-determination?
Marilee explains that her parents taught her to always believe in herself and that if she set her mind to some goal that she can achieve it. One example of this was: after graduating from college, she had worked for a couple of different graphic design companies, but she felt that she was not being challenged and at times the opportunities were less. So, she decided to start her own graphic design business, Adamski-Smith Multimedia Solutions.
Why did you join the SD Network?
Marilee joined the SD Network mainly to network and get to know people. Being part of the Self-Determination Network allows her to connect with other people that have disabilities that want to live independently in the community. “Being part of all of these different organizations, I have had the opportunity to meet with different Senators and Legislators at the State level and in Washington DC to advocate for disability rights,” she says.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Recently, Marilee has had to scale down on my graphic design business because she has an increasing larger role in ADAPT. One of the primary things they are focus on is to pass the legislation - Disability Integration Act (DIA). She explains that the DIA is civil rights legislation to address the fundamental issue that people who need Long Term Services and Supports LTSS are forced into institutions and are losing their basic civil rights. The DIA is intended to assure that people with disabilities can live in the community rather than be forced into nursing facilities and other institutions. This groundbreaking legislation establishes statutory civil rights language - comparable to the ADA - which requires public entities and Long-Term Service and Supports insurance providers to change their policies, provide community-based services first, and offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to people currently in institutions. This legislation builds on the 25 years of work that ADAPT has done to end the institutional bias and provide seniors and people with disabilities HCBS as an alternative to institutionalization.
She’s very excited about this legislation because it will be the next big step in disability rights since the ADA and it will give people with disabilities the right to choose to receive long term care in their own home and community settings instead of being forced into nursing homes. “For people like myself, having this right means many other opportunities open up. We can choose where they would like to live, go to school, get a job, etc.,” she says. She’s looking forward to being part of this history as they’re working hard to get this legislation passed this summer in the House. If people would like to participate in this effort she has many ways in which everyone can help. If you would like to help please email her.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Marilee encourages people to never give up and reach out to your support networks. She explains that there will be obstacles in life, but you can find allies in your journey who can help you get back up when facing an obstacle. She notes that the SD network is an example of allies.
She also encourages people to get involved in disability advocacy and join organizations and groups that help people with disabilities live an independent life. “ADAPT, WBPDD and the SD Network are great organizations and groups that believe that all people with disabilities should be treated as equal as non-disabled people,” she says.
What are some of your hobbies?
In her free time, Marilee likes to go camping and geocaching. Every summer, she tries to pack in at least six camping trips. She also likes to cook new recipes, go swimming, do jigsaw puzzles, going to the movies, theater plays and concerts. She loves spending time with family and friends as well--especially her husband, Joseph and two god children, Avery and Cole!
***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.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Neighborhood Under Construction For Those With Special Needs
By SD Network, 2019-04-26
In recent years, more and more housing options for people with disabilities have appeared. In Phoenix Arizona, a whole neighborhood is being developed for people with special needs. Residents will own their own homes, and the homeowners association will employ a director and overnight staff to promote community engagement and safety.. Residents will be responsible for arranging their own support services. Though the neighborhood will be geared toward people with disabilities, anyone will be able to buy a home in the area.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: New Research Funding Opportunity on Family Support
By SD Network, 2019-04-23
The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL is announcing a funding opportunity for a new Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) project.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
The purpose of the RRTC program, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topic areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other stakeholders.
RRTC on Family Support: The purpose of this particular RRTC is to conduct research, training, technical assistance, and related activities to contribute to effective support of family caregivers of people with disabilities, and ultimately to improved community living, health and function, and employment outcomes of people with disabilities who are supported by family members.
Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on June 10, 2019.
A new television series chronicling the experiences of people with autism and other special needs as they search for meaningful employment is set to debut. The eight-episode Series “The Employables” on A&E Network will feature two individuals with autism, Tourette Syndrome or other conditions in each episode. The job seekers work with specialists to identify their talents and show employers what they can offer.
Caring for loved ones with special needs is often very rewarding, but it can also take a physical, emotional and financial toll on families. Many families rely on respite care as a reprieve. A bipartisan bill introduced this month known as the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019, would tag $200 million over the next five years to boost respite care services across the country.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Trump Approves Extension Of Program Helping People Leave Institutions
By SD Network, 2019-04-23
Legislation that the President recently signed ensures that a program that moves people with disabilities from institutions to the community can stick around while advocates push for a longer-term solution. The President allocated an additional $20 million to Money Follows the Person. Through the program, states can access Medicaid funding to pay for employment supports, housing and other services so that people with disabilities can transition from nursing homes and other institutional facilities to homes in the community.