The applications for Partners in Policymaking are now open, and the application package is available at: http://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/partners-in-policymaking/  This leadership program for self-advocates, siblings, and parents of children birth to 21 meets six times in the coming year from Friday at noon to Saturday afternoon in Madison. You will learn about all the public programs people with disabilities use, and how you can impact programs and policies to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families statewide. All costs of the training, overnights, and meals are provided through BPDD funding. You must commit to the Core Values of community inclusion and integration listed in the application, and commit to participate in all 6 weekends.

SPARKS mini-grants of $500 to $3,000 are designed to help community groups of people with disabilities and family members make a change in their community. People with disabilities must be at the center of the project and participate at all levels. This year’s SPARKS mini-grants have a priority on transportation ideas/strategies. Priority will be given to under-served and under-represented groups. The mini-grant also includes a full day of support and technical assistance (Sept. 27, 2017) and ongoing support during the year of the grant. Applications are available at: http://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017-18-SPARKS-Grant-Application-Revised.pdf

The State legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has finished one-third of the public hearings on the 2017-2019 state budget.  There are three more public hearings remaining:

Tuesday, April 18 (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)Spooner high School (Auditorium)801 County Highway ASpooner, WI 54801


Wednesday, April 19 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)Ellsworth High School (Gymnasium)323 West Hillcrest St. Ellsworth, WI 54011


Friday, April 21 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)Marinette High School (Auditorium)2135 Pierce Ave.Marinette, WI 54143

Reports from the first two hearings indicate turnouts have been lower than in the past several budgets and while several people have testified on aging and disability issues at each of the hearings, more voices are needed!  
Some may feel there is no need to testify (orally or in writing) on the budget as they may not see any significant budget cuts or changes proposed for aging and disability programs.  Please know two very important programs funded in the last budget – healthy aging grants and the dementia care specialist program – are not funded in the 2017 – 2019 budget and will not be funded unless we ask members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to add funding for these programs. 
The proposed budget includes small increases for some programs such as specialized transportation and the Medicaid Personal Care program.  These increases do not reflect the actual need and are not guaranteed to stay in the budget.  This is your opportunity to let member of the JFC know what you like and what you don’t like!   
Don’t assume somebody else will be there to advocate for the issues that are important to you and the older adults and people with disabilities in your community!  YOU are that somebody! You have the knowledge, expertise and responsibility to let these policymakers know how this budget will impact older adults and how they can make it better!
The JFC testimony is being limited to two minutes, so come prepared with short remarks and leave copies of longer written testimony.  For additional information, including how and where to submit written testimony if you are unable to attend a hearing, see Tips for Testifying Before the Joint Finance Committee.

Are you interested in issues affecting older adults? You’re invited to join members of the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN) and others to help educate state legislators about issues affecting Wisconsin’s aging population.

On Wednesday May 17, citizens from around the state will gather in Madison for a day of advocacy training and meetings with legislators. No experience is necessary; you’ll get the training and support you need before meeting with state lawmakers. Following the training, join others from your assembly and senate district to provide information and share personal stories with your legislators to help them understand how specific legislative policies impact older constituents.

Aging Advocacy Day Schedule

9:00 — 10:00 a.m.: Registration, Capitol Lakes - Continuing Care Retirement Community, 333 W. Main Street, Madison, WI 53703

10:00 a.m.: Advocate training, briefing on WAAN’s state priority issues, tips for effective communication with your state legislators

11:00 a.m.: Planning time with others from your district

12:00 p.m.: Lunch & walk/travel to the State Capitol (3 blocks)

12:45 p.m.: State Capitol, North Hearing Rm. - 2nd Floor North – Store your items during legislative visits or meet up with staff/volunteers to get any questions answered or discuss visits.

1:00 - 2:45 p.m.: Legislative visits (Senate visits will be scheduled from 1- 1:45p.m. and Assembly visits from 2-2:45 p.m.) *WAAN will be scheduling all legislative visits.

2:15 - 3:00 p.m.: Check-out and debriefing, State Capitol, North Hearing Room—2nd Floor. Turn in your Advocacy Day feedback sheets and evaluation.

Your voice can make a difference! For more information or to register, visit http://gwaar.org/waan or contact your local aging unit or ADRC. Registration deadline is May 1, 2017.

2017 Self-Determination Conference!

Celebrating You…Mind, Body and Spirit

Application For Exhibitor Requests are now available for the 2017 Self-Determination Conference.

Self-Determination in Full Color, Celebrating You…Mind, Body and Spirit

Calling all Wisconsin organizations that support self-determination and self-directed support in Wisconsin.

We encourage you to submit an application. Space is limited and only applications from exhibitors that directly support self-determination and self-direction in WI will be accepted. All applications will be reviewed by a committee and selected based on interest, needs, variety and mission of the conference.

We are particularly interested in having exhibitors with innovative approaches to services and supports for self- direction including health and wellness supports for people with disabilities.

Exhibit tables are open Nov. 2-3, 2017.

Calling all Micro-business owners! If you are a person with a disability and own your own micro-business apply to share your gifts and talents with over 500 people this November? Be an exhibitor at the 2017 Self-Determination Conference! 
 

Download the Exhibitor Application
  
Hurry! Completed applications must be received no later than April 14, 2017. Space is limited and we will run out before the deadline date!

Are you interested in presenting at the Self-Determination Conference?

Now accepting proposals for presenters for the 2017 Self-Determination Conference, November 1-3.  Are you using self-directed supports in an interesting way? Do you want to share your story at the SD Conference? 

We’re looking for new and innovative ideas that help you and others live successfully in the community. Learning topics will support Self-Determination and all aspects of living in the community.  We are particularly looking for sessions focused on health and well-being. Be creative!!!

Share ideas about transportation, employment, diversity, housing, stress reduction, grief, advocacy, supported decision-making and more. Share these ideas with over 600 advocates this November! Proposal deadline is April 7 at noon.  

 

Download the 2017 Presentation Proposal Form

The Disability Rights Storytellers Fellowship managed by Rooted in Rights and AAPD provides the opportunity for an individual with a disability to learn and apply skills in digital media storytelling, and to connect with media professionals to prepare participants for advanced careers in media production, journalism, online advocacy, or digital design. The project combines hands-on training on cutting edge technologies with a strong foundation in developing the individual’s voice and using story-driven videos in advocacy.  Applications are due March 15th.

Learn more and apply today!

The 2017 Aging and Disability Network Conference is calling for Proposals for Workshop Presentations. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, through the Division of Public Health, Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources, is sponsoring the first Aging and Disability Network Conference: Together Towards Tomorrow.
This statewide training opportunity is September 6-8, 2017, at the Madison Marriott West, 1313 John. Q. Hammons Drive, Middleton, WI 53562.

Learn more

Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum Accepting Applications

The Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a week-long leadership training and career awareness program for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with disabilities.  It provides training in leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness to approximately 25 students with disabilities from throughout the state of Wisconsin. YLF is a project of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.

Join the Welcome Team!

Are you a viral social butterfly?  Do you like to connect with people with the same interests? Do you enjoy interacting with people online?  We are currently seeking voluntary Network Hosts to join the Welcome Team for the Self-Determination Network.

As a Network Host, your primary duties would be to welcome and engage new members. Members of the Welcome Team get email notifications when new members join the Network, and then if it is your week (a monthly schedule is created based on hosts’ availability), you would welcome the new member by posting on his/her timeline.  With support from the community manager, you would also be encouraged to post content on your profile and come up with ways to interact with members.

Network Hosts would need to:

• Be able to check email on a regular basis
• Be active in the disability community
• Be familiar with the Self-Determination Network
• Engage and interact with others
• Be willing to learn some “behind-the-scene” tricks of the Network

What would you receive in exchange for joining the Welcome Team? You will have opportunities to:

• Share your skills and knowledge
• Gain new skills, knowledge and experience as a host with an online network (and you can add this to your resume!)
• Connect with your fellow members and get to know them better
• Support an online learning community

Please note that, while we value all our hosts, we are not able to offer paid work opportunities.

Apply to become a Network Host.  Applications are due October 3rd. Contact Stacy at sellingen@incontrolwisconsin.org with any questions you have.