Hello,

Here's an opportunity for, well, who knows!!!

City of Madison Community Development Process

Enjoy your day,

Cheryl

WisPACT, Inc. was created in 2003 as a nonprofit organization to create and manage pooled and community Special Needs Trusts for the benefit of individuals with disabilities. It originated from a collaborative effort among ARC Wisconsin, NAMI Wisconsin, Inc., the Wisconsin State Bar- Elder Law Section and the Wisconsin Alzheimers Association. WisPACT currently serves more than 1,600 beneficiaries throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Check them out here: http://www.wispact.org/

Because of the limitations on assets to qualify for means-tested public benefits (primarily Medicaid, SSI), a person with a disability with assets of more than $2,000 only has two choices: immediately spend all the money, or put the money in a SNT. With large sums (e.g., from an injury settlement), it is often impossible to spend all the money and not create an available asset. Gifted assets have a five-year look back restriction. However, by putting their assets into a SNT, a person with a disability can receive public benefits and conserve his or her assets. These assets can be later used to pay for certain expenses which willimprove the quality of their life.

The following programs can be supplemented by a SNT:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Supplemental Security Income Exceptional Expense (SSI-E)
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Medicaid (aka Medical Assistance, MA, Title 19)
• Medicare
• Many home and community-based services under Medicaid such as Family Care

Maybe you know someone who could benefit. For more information, check WisPACT out here: http://www.wispact.org/

Perhaps this can help someone out there.

Cheryl

Hello Everyone,

I have been a member of the WI Community of Practice on Transition's "Wisconsin Youth First" Practice Group for some time now and we are excited to announce that we were awarded one of the WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities SPARKS grants to develop and market a "Going to Work" Video Series!

These videos will feature 5 youth from Wisconsin with disabilities who have obtained employment sharing their experiences with finding employment.

In our recruiting efforts I thought about how our SDS Network group members might be able to refer some students that we have worked with to be featured in these videos. We also want to include interviewing their employers for the videos.

Ideally, we're looking for a diverse mix of disabilities and youth who have transitioned to competitive employment, but we would consider good candidates who are in college or high school and also working. Participants of the videos will be provided a gift card to thank them for their participation.

The series will consist of 5 videos: Meet the Characters, Understanding your Disability and Self Advocacy, Disclosing your Disability, Job Interviewing Skills and Asking for Accommodations on the Job.

Would you be able to assist us in this effort either through referring students, and/or working with us on the project, and/or connecting us with others who may also have referrals?

I will be happy to provide you with additional information to answer any questions you may have. You can reach me at schiltz.cheryl@gmail.com.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you.

Have a glorious day!

Cheryl

Here is a short film about Madison native Karen Foxgrover that depicts self direction and extreme determination.

Karen Foxgrover

The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.

What can YOU do to share the message that at work, its what people CAN do that matters? Use the Campaign for Disability Employments Outreach Toolkit to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities in your business and community!

You'll find sections for Employers, Family and Educators, Persons with Disabilities, YOUTH, and a "What can we ALL do" section.

I just learned about this site from the RSA Commissioner Ruttledge Update. This is a pretty cool site!

Enjoy!

Cheryl

Got Transition? is a national resource for health care professionals, families, youth, and state policy makers focusing on a young adult's transition from pediatric to adult health care. This site serves as the basis for an information exchange about health care transition, particularly as pertaining to youth with special health care needs.