News
May 2019
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Call for Exhibitors
The Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference empowers people with disabilities to have more control over their lives. Each year, people with disabilities, their families and people who support them participate in the conference to learn more about self-determination and self-directed supports so they can live more independently, actively participate in their communities, and use public funds efficiently.
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is currently accepting applications to be an Exhibitor/Micro-enterprise vendor at the Self-Determination Conference. Tables will be available on Tuesday October 15th and Wednesday October 16th. Space is limited and only applications from exhibitors that directly support self-determination and self-direction in WI will be accepted. Apply to be an exhibitor today!
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.
For May, we shine the spotlight on Marilee. This advocate extraordinaire doesn’t let limitations get in the way of leading a very successful life. In addition to owning her own graphic design business, she’s very involved in ADAPT. She encourages people to get involved in disability advocacy and to never give up. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Marilee.
"Imagine relying on assistance of another person to accomplish every single task you need to survive on Earth. For people with disabilities (born with or acquired) or health conditions, relying on other people to assist you with all of your basic needs can often seem overwhelming."
In this month's entry, Stacy discusses how having to rely on others can be very challenging at times. 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:
- Program Extension: Legislation that the President recently signed ensures that a program that moves people with disabilities from institutions to the community can stick around while advocates push for a longer-term solution. Lean about how the program is helping move people into the community.
- Effort to Expand Respite Care: Caring for loved ones with special needs is often very rewarding, but it can also take a physical, emotional and financial toll on families. Read about a bipartisan bill that would boost respite care services across the country.
- New TV Show: A new television series chronicling the experiences of people with autism and other special needs as they search for meaningful employment is set to debut. Find out more about the show.
- Research Funding Opportunity on Family Support: The purpose of this opportunity is to conduct research, training, technical assistance, and related activities to contribute to effective support of family caregivers of people with disabilities, and ultimately to improved community living, health and function, and employment outcomes of people with disabilities who are supported by family members. This opportunity closes on June 10th.
- Neighborhood for Those with Special Needs: In recent years, more and more housing options for people with disabilities have appeared. Read about how, in Phoenix Arizona, a whole neighborhood is being developed for people with special needs.
- Advocacy Training Opportunities: PIP and YiPPE are training programs for parents and youth with disabilities to learn about the transition process in the areas of employment, education, living and health. Find out more about these great programs.
- Worries about Medicaid Changes: Advocates worry that Medicaid funding for people with disabilities could be jeopardized if some states succeed in overhauling how they receive federal dollars. Learn why advocates are worried.
- Governor Evers' First Signed Bill: Recently, Governor Evers signed his first bill into law. Find out why this bill was so significant to the disability community.
- Managed Care Providers Investigation: With many states turning to private insurers to handle Medicaid services, an investigation is underway to investigate whether these insurers are offering people with disabilities the care they're entitled to. Read about why it's being questioned.
- National Family Support Program: A research brief serves as an introduction to the National Family Caregiver Support Program and related programs administered by Administration for Community Living (ACL) that provide support to caregivers of older adults, as well as caregivers of persons with disabilities. Learn about this new program.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Long Term Care Advocacy Team: May 14th, 2:30p.m. to 3:30p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI
- 'Intelligent Lives' Free Film Screening!: May 22nd, 6:30p.m. to 9:30p.m., Stoughton Opera House, Stoughton WI
- Transportation Consumer Advocacy Team (TCAT): May 28th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI
- Webinar: Accessible Public Rights-Of-Way Open Q&A Session: June 6th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Online
- SpecialCare Presentation: June 11th, 11:30a.m. to 1p.m, Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee WI
- Long Term Care Advocacy Team: June 11th, 2:30p.m. to 3:30p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI
- Paratransit Pizza Ranch Outing: June 17th, 10:45a.m. to 2p.m., Pizza Ranch, Waukesha WI
- Transportation Consumer Advocacy Team (TCAT): June 25th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI
- Lynzay Legois Adaptive Water Skiing: June 28th, 12p.m. to 5:30p.m., Fischer County Park, Burlington WI
- Long Term Care Advocacy Team: July 9th, 2:30p.m. to 3:30p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI
- ADA Day: July 12th, 10:30a.m. to 12p.m., Capitol Library, Milwaukee WI
- Transportation Consumer Advocacy Team (TCAT): July 30th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI
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.
The Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference empowers people with disabilities to have more control over their lives. Each year, people with disabilities, their families and people who support them participate in the conference to learn more about self-determination and self-directed supports so they can live more independently, actively participate in their communities, and use public funds efficiently.
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is currently accepting applications to be an Exhibitor/Micro-enterprise vendor at the Self-Determination Conference. Tables will be available on Tuesday October 15th and Wednesday October 16th. Space is limited and only applications from exhibitors that directly support self-determination and self-direction in WI will be accepted.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: New Research Brief: ACL Supports for Family Caregivers Across the Lifespan
By SD Network, 2019-05-06
A research brief serves as an introduction to the National Family Caregiver Support Program and related programs administered by Administration for Community Living (ACL) that provide support to caregivers of older adults, as well as caregivers of persons with disabilities. In 2016, the National Family Caregiver Support Program provided support services to more than 212,000 individual caregivers. This included 61,989 caregivers who received respite services, as well as 120,100 individuals who received counseling. ACL also reached more than 20 million caregivers with their informational services.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Are Managed Care Providers Wrongly Denying Services To People With Disabilities?
By SD Network, 2019-05-06
Many states are turning to private insurers to handle Medicaid services including those for people with disabilities which means states pay insurers a set amount of money to administer benefits. An investigation is underway to investigate whether these insurers are offering people with disabilities the care they're entitled to. The report detailing the findings is expected sometime next year.
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: County Fact Sheets: DHS 2019-2021 Budget Proposal
By SD Network, 2019-05-01
Wisconsin Department of Health Services has a new web page where you can see how DHS's proposed budget with Medicaid expansion would affect your county. You can click on your county to get a breakdown of how much additional funding would be brought into local communities under the Governor's budget proposal estimated at allowing Wisconsin to draw down a total of $1.6 billion in new federal funding. People can see how much is projected to go towards expanding access to dental care and mental health services, increased wages for direct care workers and more.
Recently, Governor Evers signed his first bill into law. With many people with disabilities in attendance, he signed a bill that removes the term "mental retardation" from state agency rules and regulations. The new law immediately replaces the term with "intellectual disability" in all administrative code.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Trump Administration Pushing States To Make Medicaid Changes
By SD Network, 2019-04-30
Advocates worry that Medicaid funding for people with disabilities could be jeopardized if some states succeed in overhauling how they receive federal dollars. Some states have shown interested in receiving "block grants" from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Currently, states receive matching funding from the federal government without pre-set limits. If states choose to change that approach, they would have better flexibility on how to spend the money, but they'd receive a fixed amount. Advocates are worried that this wouldn't allow enough funding for health care or home and community based services for people with disabilities.
2019-2020 Training Opportunities for Families of Youth with Disabilities
What is a Transition Parents in Partnership?
Transition Parents in Partnership (PIP) is an opportunity for families to learn about the transition process for their youth with disabilities ages 14-21 in the areas of employment, education, living and health.
Why Should I attend a Transition PIP?
- Learn about planning for life after high school
- Learn about valuable resources and adult services
- Become part of a network of parents who have youth with disabilities
- Explore ways to share the information I have learned
- Strengthen partnerships between the many professionals I interact with on behalf of my child
For more information about PIP and for the locations and dates for the 2019-2020 PIP trainings visit: https://wspei.org/families/pip.php
What is Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment?
Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment (YiPPE) is an opportunity for youth with disabilities (ages 14-21) and their parents to learn about the transition process in a unique way while building real life skills in the areas of employment, education, living and health.
Why Should I attend YiPPE?
- Learn about planning for life after high school
- Learn about valuable resources and adult services
- Become part of a network of parents who have youth with disabilities
- Explore ways to share the information I have learned
- Strengthen partnerships between the many professionals I interact with on behalf of my child
Why Should my Youth Attend YiPPE?
- Learn how to make decisions for themselves
- Get involved in their school and community
- Learn how to speak for themselves
- Prepare for college and/or work
- Meet other youth
For more information about YiPPE and for the locations and dates for the 2019-2020 YiPPE trainings visit: www.wspei.org/families/yippe.php
If I’m Interested in either of these trainings, what do I do next?
- To register for a YiPPE training, contact Sherry Gundlach 920-896-1003.
- To register for the Fennimore Transition PIP training, contact Kari Todryk 608-745-5421.
All trainings are FREE of charge to families. Overnights, meals, and resources are paid for with a DPI IDEA Discretionary Grant.
*To learn more about WSPEI please click here to visit the website*