The 2016 Aging Empowerment Conference: Living a Self-Determined Life focuses on exploring ways to advance self-determination as the foundation for providing support while empowering older people to retain control of their lives. This is the 3rd annual conference and is hosted by In Control Wisconsin and other sponsors. The 2016 Conference will be June 7th-8th at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Presentation proposals are now being accepted.

Click hereto learn more information and to fill out the application. Proposals are due January 15th.

To play a key role in advancing self-determination for people with disabilities and older adults in Wisconsin. InControl collaborates to ensure that all individuals live a productive community life as valued citizens, we work to discover, share, and promote best practices and as advocates for sound programs and good public policy

Date:October 28, 2015
To: Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services
From: In Control Wisconsin Board of Directors
Subject: Comments on the new Long-Term Care Plan for Wisconsin

In Control Wisconsin was formed in 2009 to a) promote the nationally and internationally growing idea that people with disabilities and older adults should have more control over their lives and the long term care (LTC) services they receive, and b) improve the cost effectiveness of the LTC system by ensuring that people only receive the level of support they need. This trend has been called self-determination, self-direction, and selfdirected supports. In Control Wisconsin is the only organization in Wisconsin that is solely focused on promoting this philosophy and its best practices. Our work is based on these core beliefs:

• people are capable of taking responsibility for making thoughtful, cost-effective decisions about their lives and their services,

• people have a right to substantial control over how public dollars are spent on their behalf and they can exert that control without directly handling the funds themselves, and

• it should be possible to deliver quality services with limited red tape for the individual.

Many people with physical and/or developmental disabilities, and a growing number of older adults are expressing a strong preference for having some level of self-direction in their services (an estimated 25,000 people in IRIS and Family Care are currently electing to fully or partially self direct their services).This enthusiasm for self direction also came through loud and clear in the JFC hearings on the 2015-2017 state budget.

We believe that self-direction is the way of the future in long term care. It resonates with the desire of many people to not be passive recipients of the care someone else chooses for them, but rather to be in the drivers seat and be able to say what supports they want, when they want them, and to hire the agency or the people who will provide them. This is an effective way to ensure that people are actually getting the services they want and need, and to ensure that public dollars are not spent on unnecessary services or bureaucracy.

In developing the specifics of Wisconsins LTC Plan for the future, we believe there are several important elements which must be included in the Plan to ensure that there is a robust self directed supports option available to anyone who wants it, which not only preserves the essential features of IRIS but actually make improvements on it. These elements include:

1. Education and Information.All LTC-eligible people in WI must be objectively informed and educated about the self directed supports (SDS) option.

2. Full access to Self Directed Supports. All LTC-eligible people in WI must have the right to elect a fully or partially self directed supports option. No one should be excluded from SDS because of the nature or extent of their disability. Shared or supported decision-making (with family and/or friends) is a legitimate form of SDS, and some people will need training on shared/supported decision-making.

3. Participant decision-making. SDS participants get to set their own goals. People who elect to self direct their services believe that they are the experts on their own lives, and Wisconsins experience with the IRIS program has proven that to be true.

4. Participant Control. SDS participants must have full budget authority and employer authority.(Budget authority = decision-making authority over how the Medicaid funding in your individual budget is spent. Employer authority = decision-making authority re who provides your services and how the services are provided. You get to choose any provider agency, or directly recruit, hire, train, supervise, and fire the people who provide your services, including parents, spouses, and relatives.)

5. Reliable budget-setting. Individual budgets must be set fairly and objectively before the person-centered planning process begins, and must be based on the individuals long term care needs and desired outcomes. The Plan should include safeguards to ensure consistency and transparency of the budget-setting process.

6. Quality Support. SDS participants must have access to ongoing support for self direction. Peoples circumstances change and some people experience crises. For many people, SDS wont work without the support of a competent SDS consultant.

7. Self-direction of the Whole Person. In the context of the new Integrated Model, SDS must now also apply to the provision of acute and primary health care, and behavioral health. This fits with national trends toward more consumer-directed health care and the use of the recovery model in the behavioral health field. It is also important that SDS not become medicalized, e.g. prior authorization procedures for medical treatment should not be applied to long term services and supports in SDS.

8. Appropriate Cost Effectiveness approaches. Promote cost effectiveness in SDS in ways that fit the values of SDS. SDS is inherently cost effective, as evidenced by the fact that IRIS participants give back 17% of their individual budget allocations. But traditional cost containment methods used in managed care (e.g. across the board provider rate cuts) can undermine the concept of SDS. Experience has shown that the most impactful cost effectiveness strategies in SDS are local and individualized. It is also important that individuals are given enough flexibility to fully capitalize on all the unique, cost effective opportunities to utilize natural supports which are inherent in SDS.

9. Program integrity. Create mechanisms to ensure that services are actually resulting in the outcomes chosen by the person, and that comply with CMS rules. Also, utilize fraud prevention and detection mechanisms that do not add unnecessary bureaucracy to SDS.

10. Participant rights. Include adequately funded Ombudsman services in the Plan which are independent of ADRCs, IHAs, and provider agencies. Include safeguards to prevent unnecessary institution admissions, and incentivize a safe, timely return to the community. Allow individuals placed in institutions less than 90 days to stay enrolled in SDS.

Thank you for your consideration of our views.

Contact information for Lynn Breedlove, President, InControl Wisconsin: lynnbreedlove.wi@gmail.com 608-577-0468

Board of Directors
Officers:

Lynn Breedlove,
President

Kate Norby,
Vice President

Jenny Felty,
Secretary

Patti Becker,
Treasurer

Peter Tropman
Ruth Adix
Terry Lynch
Jim Canales
Dennis Harkins
Erik Scribner
Laura Hanson
Trista Brandt
Monica Bear

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

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:

• What the Shutdown Means for Disability Services,Disability Scoop.
• How is IRIS affected?

Connect | Share | Learn |http://sdsnetworkwi.org/

March 13, 2013

Wisconsin Disability Advocacy Day - Last Day to Register!

People with disabilities need to be heard. Tell your state legislators what you think. Today is the final day to register online for Disability Advocacy Day! Don't wait to sign up - no fee!

Learn more about this opportunity.

It Only Takes "Five"

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the SDS Network:

• Learn:Special Needs Vouchers, which are included in the Governor's proposed budget - How will they affect education for children and youth with disabilities? What can you do about them?

• Join a Discussion:Dean and Deb are talking about whether to use SDS through Family Care or through IRIS.

• Support Timebanking: Are you a member of a Timebank? Do you know what a Timebank is? Martha shared some information about timebanking and you can join the discussion to learn more.

• Member Spotlight: In our new series, we are turning the spotlight on members of the SDS Network. Each month, we'll highlight one (or more!) of our amazing members. This will give us the opportunity to get to know each other a bit better, as well as learn about tips and resources we have to share with each other. This past month, we began by shining the spotlight on Patti Becker and Kate Parizek.

• Learn: We keep hearing about sequestration. What is it and how will it affect people with disabilities?

• Access Resources: Dean shared information about a service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and the ADA Wisconsin Partnership told us about the Campaign for Disability Healthcare Justice. Find out what other resources might be available!

• Watch a Video: Join the fun at "Tim's Place" and promote the end of the R-word.

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

Coffee Break: Connections and Contributions. April 17th, from 8:30-9:00 am CDT. The Coffee Break gives us an opportunity to participate in a live chat about a topic related to self-determination, SDS and having a good life. It's not a presentation, but an opportunity for all participating members to share ideas, questions and resources. It's easy to participate and all are welcome to join the conversation.

You can join this live chat in April as we talk about Connections and Contributions.How do you get connected in your community? What contributions do you make? How can we support people to find meaningful ways to be contributing members of their community? There is no cost to participate in the Coffee Break.

Welcome New Members

Stop by to welcome our newest member.

• She works at MCFI and isdevoted to helping persons achieve their greatest level of independence.
  

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:

• Wisconsin Disability Advocacy Day 2013, Wed., Mar. 20th- Register today! No fee.
• Youth Transition Conference, Mar. 21st.
• If I Had Known... Trauma-Informed Ethics and Boundaries, April 2nd.
• Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference, Submit a proposal by April 30th. Conference will be held on Oct. 30-31, 2013
• 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

Thanks to the sponsors of the SDS Network!

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) is seeking Session Presentations for Wednesday, Oct. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 31.

• Proposals by citizens with disabilities are encouraged.
• Conference sessions support SDS principles, activities, and outcomes.
• Presentations should focus on practical, take home strategies that people can implement in their work and lives.

Handouts: Presenters are responsible for providing 50-75 copies of their handout materials.

Equipment: One Screen, AV/Cart, LCD Projector and Microphone will be provided in each breakout session room. (Presenters are responsible for providing their own laptop.)

Conference details:
2013 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference
Kalahari Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI
October 29-31, 2013

Please complete the proposal form and submit it to: Fil Clissa atfil.clissa@wisconsin.govor mail to:

BPDD
101 E. Wilson St., Room 219
Madison, WI 53703

All proposals are due by12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

• Presenter Proposal Form- Word
• Presenter Proposal Form- PDF

Resources From Previous Conferences

Check out information about previous conferences, including resources and videos.

• 2011 Conference
• 2010 Conference

Updates

As the conference draws closer, check out theBPDDs Facebook Pagefor up-to-date details and information.

Press release from the office of Governor Walker, Wisconsin:

February 6, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Cullen Werwie,608-267-7303

Investing in Wisconsin: Governor Scott Walker Announces Mental Health Funding in Upcoming Budget

Today, Governor Scott Walker announced a near $30 million investment in state taxpayer funds for mental health programs to enhance and expand services provided by state and local governments to individuals living with mental illness. The initiatives being funded in the budget will build on proven, evidence-based strategies, expand successful programs, and address the most urgent needs identified by patients and families receiving care, providers, and advocates throughout the state.

Earlier this year, I met with mental health professionals, advocates, and consumers from across Wisconsin, and they gave me some tremendous insights into the needs of people living with mental health challenges, said Governor Walker. Our budget investment will provide additional resources to improve and expand care, as well as give support to those living with mental illness and help individuals, families, and communities in Wisconsin live healthier and more productive lives.

Among the programs and initiatives funded in Governor Walkers upcoming budget are:

• Comprehensive Community Services (CCS):Expands intensive, targeted community-based care for adults and children with severe mental illness. The CCS program delivers enhanced, individualized services helping reduce hospitalizations, improve primary health outcomes, improve relationships, increase meaningful employment, and improve overall life satisfaction.
• Office of Childrens Mental Health:Establishes an Office of Childrens Mental Health focused on ensuring program policies and services are best meeting the needs of children throughout the state. It will assist agencies in developing and delivering effective services for children. The Office will coordinate initiatives, monitor program performance, and increase integration of services provided to children across all state agencies.
• Coordinated Services Team (CST):Expands CST program statewide and funds CST coordinators on a regional basis to integrate and coordinate community-based care for juveniles in multiple systems of care. Coordinated Services Teams provide wraparound models of care for children with behavioral health issues, as well as their families, when the children are involved in two or more systems of care, including mental health, long-term care, juvenile justice, child welfare, substance abuse, and special education systems.
• Peer-Run Respite Centers:Develops Peer-Run Respite Centers to improve outcomes of individuals in crisis or individuals having difficulty coping with mental illness through services such as peer supports, 24/7 hotlines, wellness activities, respite, and hospital diversion.
• In-Home Counseling for Children:Provides funding to broadly cover in-home counseling services under the Medicaid program. Expanding coverage will allow earlierinterventions, particularly for children and families with less acute conditions, and will make it easier for families to access necessary services, resulting in a reduction of out-of-home placements and improved outcomes for children.
• Additional Forensic Units at Mendota Health Institute:Provides funding and positions to increase the capacity of the state forensic treatment units to meet the growing demand for inpatient evaluation and treatment services.

In Wisconsin, state and local governments work cooperatively to meet the needs of individuals with mental health needs. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) provides counties with state and federal funding and policy direction, while each county develops its own programs and budget that are tailored to meet the needs of residents.

Special needs school vouchers are likely to be part of the 2013-2015 state budget discussions.

A new fact sheet about school vouchers is available.School Vouchers: Ensuring Quality Education Choices for Wisconsin Families of Children with Disabilities: Concerns About Special Needs Scholarshipsprovides important information that will help disability advocates educate themselves and their legislators about how this issue could affect students with disabilities in Wisconsin.

The fact sheet contains the following information:

• Background on school vouchers
• What families and students give up when they accept a voucher
• What has happened in other states
• Concerns about school vouchers for Wisconsin
• Recommendations on ways to improve school choice for students with disabilities

Thisfact sheetis part of the 2013 Priorities for People with Disabilities in Wisconsin series and was created jointly by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and Disability Rights Wisconsin.

Please share this important advocacy resource with others.

Thank you for being a disability advocate!

This information was shared by the DAWN, the Disability Advocates Wisconsin Network, which is an initiative of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.