When the annual cost of living (COLA) increases, there's usually an increase in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount.  Recently, it was announced that the COLA will increase in 2020, so Social Security benefits will increase by 1.6% beginning in January.  

Read more

Every adult should be able to vote, but various barriers continue to prevent people with disabilities from doing so.  Everything from not being able to verbally state their name, to building access issues, to not being able to use the actual voting machine...  Numerous problems continue to be reported across the state.  Many organizations and advocacy groups are working on getting these issues addressed.

Read more

Climate change effects everyone, but some say the disability community is the most vulnerable to things such as wildfires, hurricanes and air pollution.  This article talks about the impact it has and things that could be done to help.

Read article

A draft report on Person-Centered Planning has been released nationwide.  It is open for public comment until December 2, 2019. The report seeks to define person-centered planning and describe ways to strengthen person-centered planning for individuals who use long-term supports and services.   

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working with partners, self-advocates, caregivers and providers to build a stronger long-term supports and system in the United States that works better for everyone.  The goal is for people with disabilities and older adults to have more choice, control and access to quality services that support independence, good health, and quality of life.       

National Quality Forum (NQF) put together a multi-stakeholder committee to draft this report.  The committee is made up of individuals with lived experience with disabilities, family members, and professionals who have extensive experience with person centered planning. 

	NQF PCP Draft Interim Report
	pcpp_interim_draft_report_for_comment (1).pdf, 287KB ∞

Last week, ACL represented the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at the Access and Mobility for All Summit hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). In addition to speeches and panel discussions, the summit featured technology demonstrations by local Assistive Technology Act programs and the approval of a strategic plan for the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) - an interagency partnership to coordinate the efforts of federal agencies funding transportation services.

Of particular significance to ACL's grantees and partners, the summit included an announcement of new funding to promote inclusive transportation and a discussion about harnessing ACL and HHS program funds to meet "matching" requirements for several grants from the USDOT's Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

New Funding Opportunity 

FTA has announced the Mobility for All Pilot Program. The $3.5 million grant program is available to states and tribes who can partner with community-based organizations as sub-applicants, The program will fund projects that enhance transportation connections to jobs, education, and health services for older adults, people with disabilities, and people with low income. 

Applications are due January 6, 2020. For more information, see FTA's notice of funding. 

In 2019 the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requested that the National Quality Forum (NQF) convene a committee of experts with lived and professional experience in long-term services and supports (LTSS), and with the acute/primary/chronic care systems. This committee aims to provide ACL, CMS, federal and state entities, and the general public with a consensus-based, multistakeholder view of multiple areas of person-centered planning.

The committee drafted a report as an interim summary of the its efforts to develop the following:

• A functional, person-first definition of person-centered planning;
• A core set of competencies for persons facilitating the planning process, including details of foundational skills, relational and communication skills, philosophy, resource knowledge, and the policy and regulatory context of person-centered planning; and
• Systems characteristics that support person-centered planning such as system-level processes, infrastructure, data, and resources, along with guidance on how to maintain system-level person-centeredness.

This report represents an interim summary of the Committee’s efforts to date. A future final report with Committee feedback will address the history of person-centered planning, a framework for quality measurement within person-centered planning, and a research agenda to advance and promote person centered planning in long-term services and supports, which includes home and community-based services and institutional settings such as nursing homes, and the interface with the acute/primary/chronic care systems.

Feedback is needed on the interim report by 6:00 pm ET on December 2. Registration is required for submitting comments. 

Contact pcplanning@qualityforum.org with questions, concerns, or accessibility difficulties for reviewing the report and submitting comment.

Nearly half of all individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid receive help with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, managing medication, and other long-term services and support (LTSS). Given the nature of these services, cultural competence – the ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations – is a key part of establishing trust and respect between direct care workers and their clients.

RIC has developed the following briefs to help LTSS providers, administrators, and other stakeholders, support a diverse workforce that can meet the cultural needs and preferences of dually eligible individuals.

Organizational Cultural Competence

This brief provides strategies for assessing organizational cultural competence, supporting diversity across all levels of an organization, addressing linguistic competence, and engaging community partners.

Training Culturally Competent Direct Care Workers

This brief focuses on establishing and building on organizational policies to support cultural competence, using adult learner-centered training methods, and identifying setting- and community-appropriate training programs.

Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Direct Care Workforce

Meet Tasha.   As someone who has always wanted to make a difference in her community, she has worked with multiple groups of people who are in need. Her current job has made her realize how important self-determination is for everyone.  She is very excited about what her agency has done this year.  In her spare time, this avid sports fan loves to spend time with her son and hang out with friends.  We’re so fortunate to have her as a member of the Self-Determination Network! 

What's your story?  Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

Tasha graduated from college with a Bachelor Degree in Human Service, and she knew right away she wanted to make a difference in her community. She explains that she has worked to help the undeserved community with getting health insurance and benefits.  She has also worked with family caregivers to be able to get the supports that they needed to keep their love ones at home and to live safe and meaningful lives in their home.  Currently, she works for TMG as a Community Partnership Specialist, which gives her the opportunity to work with organizations to help provide resources and services to individuals on the IRIS program.

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network? 

Tasha became involved with self-determination after she started working in her current position where she was able to see first-hand how important self-determination is to everyone. She’s involved on many committees that work together to help find solutions to many obstacles, such as transportation, housing, poverty and employment. “After attending three SD Conferences, it became a passion of mine to be more involved in the SD Community and help wherever I am needed,” she says.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination? 

Tasha shares that she’s super excited about the work she and her coworkers have done in 2019. She explains that TMG has hosted four events in three Wisconsin counties that invites IRIS participants and their family and friends to a fun and/or local community location to get information from vendors regarding programs and services they can utilize. They provide free food, door prizes and networking with others. “It is a way for TMG to clear the path and bring all resources to one place. We are looking to do even more of these events in 2020,” she says.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

Tasha suggests there are so many amazing resources in the Community that can help a person become more self-determined. It is great to visit your local libraries, community centers, ADRC’s and churches just as a starting point.  She explains, “from there, a person can become more educated, empowered and energized on the many different programs and services that are out in their community.”

What are some of your hobbies? 

As a single mom, she doesn’t have a lot of time on her hands; however, she loves spending time with her nine-year-old son, Tyler. She enjoys going to the movies, hanging out with friends, and watching ALL Wisconsin sports teams--especially the Green Bay Packers.  “Go Pack Go,” she exclaims!

 ***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.