In a letter to state Medicaid directors, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has outlined 10 new and existing opportunities – none of which require complex demonstrations or Medicare waivers – to serve individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

One in five Medicare recipients, more than 12 million people, are also concurrently enrolled in Medicaid and about half of this population use long-term services and supports. 

The opportunities touch on new developments in managed care, using Medicare data to inform care coordination and program integrity initiatives, and reducing administrative burden for dually eligible individuals and the providers who serve them.

Read the letter (PDF).

With a change taking effect this year, individuals with disabilities can save more money than ever before without losing out on Social Security, Medicaid and other government benefits.  People with  disabilities can  now  put up to $27,140 in an ABLE account per year.  In addition, the IRS indicated that workers with disabilities who have ABLE accounts can now qualify for a Saver’s Credit.

Read more

The disability community has an opportunity to share ideas that could be included in Governor-Elect Tony Evers’ proposed state budget at a series of open meetings. The statewide tour begins Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Green Bay and ends the following week in Milwaukee. Each session is open to the public and will give participants the ability to share their budget priorities directly with Governor-elect Evers, Lt. Governor-elect Barnes, and transition policy staff.

Wisconsin residents interested in attending any budget session may register online at the links listed below.

WHO: Governor-elect Tony Evers, Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes, transition policy staff

WHAT: Building the People’s Budget tour. Members of the public are invited to participate and share their policy ideas with the Governor-elect and his staff.

WHEN and WHERE:

December 11, 4:30PM-6:00PM: Green Bay, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Phoenix Room. 2420 Nicolet Dr, Green Bay, WI 54311. Register for Green Bay session at this Green Bay link.

December 12, 12:00PM-1:30PM: Wausau, Wausau Labor Temple. 318 South Third Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401. Register for the Wausau session at this Wausau link.

December 18, 12:00PM-1:30PM: La Crosse, American Legion Post 52. 711 6th St South, La Crosse, WI 54601. Register for the La Crosse session at this La Crosse link.

December 19, 4:30PM-6:00PM: Milwaukee, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County Volunteer Center. 200 West Pleasant Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212. Register for the Milwaukee session at this Milwaukee link.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) recently completed a two part evaluation of the Older Americans Act Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The newest report, Outcome Evaluation of the National Family Caregiver Support Program, is now available.

The NFCSP Outcome Evaluation focused on the following questions:

• What types of organizational structures and/or approaches for NFCSP services are associated with the best participant-level outcomes?
• Are services reaching the groups targeted by the Older Americans Act (OAA), including caregivers serving older adults with greatest social or economic need?
• To what extent do NFCSP participants also receive other home- and community-based long-term support and services?
• To what extent do NFCSP caregivers’ outcomes differ from those of caregivers who do not receive support and services from the NFCSP?

The two-part NFCSP evaluation includes a final process evaluation report, as well as examples of assessment tools collected from State Units in Aging:

Community Assessment Materials (PDF, 14.3MB)

General Customer Satisfaction Survey Materials (PDF, 2.23MB)

Grandparent Assessment Materials (PDF, 1.05MB)

High-Level Administrative Materials (PDF, 3.00MB)

Monitoring Materials (PDF, 3.93MB)

State Caregiver Assessments (PDF, 5.87MB)

State Care Recipient Assessments (PDF, 8.40MB)

Task Force Materials (PDF, 31.1MB)

Uniform Satisfaction Materials (PDF, 3.0MB)

Other Materials (PDF, 9.59MB)

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.

Being selected to attend the YLF is a distinct honor that you can be very proud of. Please take the time to apply – you’ll have the time of your life!

YLF IS FOR:

• Students who show leadership potential by being active in their school and community
• Students who have a disability (physical, learning, cognitive, emotional, sensory, etc.)
• Wisconsin residents
• Students who are currently sophomores, juniors or seniors in high school 

WHY ATTEND THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM?

• To give you a place to meet other students your age who are experiencing similar issues and concerns
• To help you increase your leadership skills so you can further your future goals and reach them
• To assist you in becoming a leader in your school and community

To apply for the 2019 Youth Leadership Forum fill out the application and send to Jenny Neugart at  jenny.neugart@ wisconsin.gov or if you print out the application you can mail it to Jenny at 101 E Wilson St Rm 219 Madison, WI 53703.  

Electronic fillable form: Application

Print Version: Application

 Self-Determination Network News:

November/December 2018

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

We were so excited to see many of you at this year’s Self-Determination Conference at the end of October. What was your favorite part? What were some things that you learned? Do you have a neat story from the conference? Did something really inspire you?  Let's keep the conversation going!  Share your comments, questions, and ideas in this discussion!

We want to congratulate this year's Diehard Award winners who were recognized at the Self-Determination Conference. These individuals received a Diehard Award for going above and beyond in supporting the lives of people with disabilities. Please help us congratulate and thank these people for their outstanding advocacy efforts:

• Jennifer Kratsch
• Patti Becker
• Mairlee Adamski-Smith 
• Cathy Derezinski
• Barbra Beckert
• Emily Flood

The Self-Determination Network includes some very talented members and we want to help you to get to know each other a little better. Member Spotlight is a great way for us to get to know each other better.

In November, we shined the spotlight on Andrea.   When she’s not running 5Ks or leading her daughter’s Girl Scout troop, she enjoys helping people figure out and achieve dreams as a Support Broker.  Stop by November's Member Spotlight to get to know Andrea.

For December, we're shining the spotlight on Allison.   Between writing her dissertation and volunteering on many boards, she works as a Program Manager. Allison believes that self-determination goes beyond self-direction and sometimes within the service system there is a not a framework for what that looks like. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Allison.

 Stacy’s Journal

"A few months ago, when cares really started becoming a challenge again, my mom and I started researching our options. What we’ve learned is that the options are very limited and the “system” is unbelievably broken."  In November's entry, Stacy discussed her challenges with trying to figure out the Long-Term Care system.

For December, Stacy discusses how the paying it forward movement impacts people with disabilities.  How do you pay it forward?  We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences as well.

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:

• Advocacy Award Nominations:  Do you know somebody who has gone to extraordinary lengths to advocate for people with disabilities?  The Governor's Committee for People with Disabilities is currently accepting nominations for the Dan C. Johnson Award for Advocacy Excellence.  Nominate somebody today!  
• Benefits Increase:  People who receive Social Security and SSI benefits will see a relatively large increase next year.  Find out how much it will go up.
• Best Cities:  Wallet Hub has released its annual "Best &  Worst Cities for People with Disabilities" report.  Learn which Wisconsin cities made the list.
• Web Accessibility: The Department of Justice ruled that failure to comply with web accessibility guidelines isn't necessarily a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Read about what the Department said.
• Missing Voice in Politics:   The recent election cycle hosted candidates from many backgrounds, but people with disabilities are missing in elected office.  Learn about why people feel this way.
• Air Travelers "Bill of Rights":  Due to the many problems people with disabilities face while flying, an "Airline Passengers Bill of Rights" is being developed.  Read about what will be included in it.
• Redesign of Eldercare Website:  The Administration for Community Living redesigned the Eldercare website to make it easier for older adults and their caregivers to find essential aging resources.  Check it out!
• Transportation Problems:  According to a recent report, Wisconsin’s lack of sufficient investment in public transportation puts seniors, people with disabilities and low incomes, and communities of color at a disadvantage.  Read about the struggles people are facing.
• Call for Presenters:  Presentation proposals are now being accepted for the 2019 Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Training Conference.  Proposals are due by February 22, 2019.
• First Responder Training:  Many people with disabilities have some unique challenges when emergency situations arise.  Learn about how first responders in one Wisconsin city took a course to learn about how to assist people with different abilities in emergency situations.
• Accessibility in Medical Facilities: Even though there are laws in place to help people with disabilities, they do not often help them at the doctor's office. Read about how new laws promise change, but government has yet to act on them.
• Navigating Cities using Apps: New apps allow people to work together in mapping out their towns in a disability friendly way.  Find out why people shouldn't heavily rely on the apps.

 Upcoming Events                                    

Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:

• Webinar: Common Sources Of Confusion In The ADA And ABA Standards: Thursday December 6th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Online
• Webinar: Qualified Disability Expense Fundamentals:  Thursday December 13th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online

Post your event on the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions?  Contact Stacy Ellingen. 

The Self-Determination Network is powered by InControl Wisconsin and supported financially by our members and Sponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you!  Find out how you can help support the Network.

Meet Allison.  Between writing her dissertation and volunteering on many boards, she works as a Program Manager. She believes self-determination goes beyond self-direction and that it’s important that people understand that you don’t have to do it alone.  We’re so fortunate to have her as a member of the Network.   

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

Allison has worked on a number of projects related to self-determination in her career. As an adult with a disability, she really values the importance of the discussing what self-determination looks like, and how to continue to advance it is a principle in services and supports.  She currently is the Program Manager for the Northern Regional Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Center.

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

Allison is working on her dissertation for a PhD in Human Services.  Her research is focused on social capital and people with disabilities within the context of community development and employment.  Social Capital and Self-Determination are very interlinked.  She created this document for the Self-Determination Conference explaining how they’re link.

She’s also very excited about seeing Support Decision Making becoming a reality.   She explains that she was recently at a meeting where county APS staff outlined what they are doing to implement the law.  “Living in Wausau and working across the Northwoods, I appreciate see a large policy change trickle down to the masses,” she says. 

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

Allison believes that self-determination goes beyond self-direction and sometimes within the service system there is a not a framework for what that looks like. “Just as we use the term independence to not mean that you should not be connected with others, self-determination does not mean you have to do it alone,” she explains.

What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?

Allison stresses that self-determination, like many aspects of disability, is ever evolving and it is important to assess and re-evaluate the way we frame things. She feels that the current discussion regarding person first and identity first language is a good example of the need for ongoing dialogue.

 What are some of your hobbies?

Allison keeps pretty busy working on her dissertation.  In her spare time, she really enjoys going to Farmers’ Markets—she loves the sense of community they have. She enjoys cooking and baking--especially as it gets colder. She volunteers on a variety of boards and committees and nationally lead the Employment Committee for LPA (the national organization for short stature) as well. 

***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.

Many people with disabilities have some unique challenges when emergency situations arise.  First responders in the La Crosse area are learning how they can better help people with different abilities.  They're learning things such as giving people space and redirecting the conversation can be very important in critical situations.  Firefighters were first to take the course, but they're hoping to expand the program in the future.

Read more