People often don't know where to start when it comes time to look for nursing homes or assisted living centers..  Yelp reviewers are looking at different aspects of care than the government reviews. People want to know: How homey is it? How nice is it inside? Researchers evaluated 264 Yelp reviews of California facilities and grouped them into 5 categories: the quality of staff care and staffing, physical building and setting, resident safety and security, clinical care quality and financial issues.

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Meet Tyler.  As if he isn't busy enough double majoring in Accounting and Economics at UW-Whitewater, he also self-directs all of his own supports.  He has developed a website to help others gain their independence.  Tyler encourages people not to settle and not to let the logistics stop you from achieving your dreams.  We’re so fortunate to have him as a member of the Self-Determination Network.

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

Tyler’s involvement with self-determination is a result of him having to plan all his care needs while still going to school. He joined the SD Network in an effort to share his experiences as well as learn from others. 

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

Tyler shared that recently he met with an organization on campus to begin the process of looking for jobs. This involved preparing his resume and looking for careers in the area. He’s also excited that recently hired a new caregiver. 

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

Tyler has some great recommendations who would like to become self-determined and more independent. First, be willing to ask for help. He explains that there are several people willing to help you with your needs, you just need to reach out and ask. You’ve already taken a big step towards this by joining this network, but if you still have questions that need answering don’t be afraid to ask. Second, be willing to go outside your comfort zone. He says that he considers himself to be a very shy person, but he knew that if he wanted to pursue independence, he would need to come out of his shell a little bit. Third, h encourages people to look for resources in your area. Your local ADRC is a great place to start. Finally, make a set of goals and work to achieve those goals. Everyone is different, and what is Independence for one person may not be the same as independence for another. You should set goals for yourself and do your best to achieve those goals. He also has advice on his website www.transition2collegewi.com.

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

A message that Tyler would like to share with everyone is don’t settle. He says, “achieve you goals and dreams so you don’t have any regrets. Don’t let logistics get in the way of achieving your goals!” 

What are some of your hobbies?

When Tyler isn’t busy studying, he enjoys watching Netflix and playing board and tabletop games.

***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.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting input to help develop a potential mode for direct provider contracting.

A direct provider contract model would allow providers to take further accountability for the cost and quality of a designated population in order to achieve better beneficiary outcomes. Such a model would have the potential to enhance the doctor-patient relationship by eliminating administrative burden for clinicians and providing increased flexibility to give the high-quality care that is most appropriate for their patients, thus improving quality while reducing expenditures.

Please submit comments to the CMS Innovation Center at DPC@cms.hhs.gov by 11:59 pm EDT, May 25, 2018.

View more details about this request for information.

Last month, AARP released its Long-Term Services & Supports State Scorecard, and Wisconsin has made the grade! The report explores how beneficial it is for people to self-direct their long-term supports, and highlights Wisconsin and the IRIS program as one of the leaders in self-direction!

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a notice of funding availability for Mainstream (Section 811) Vouchers. HUD will award up to $100 million in funding to public housing agencies, with remaining funding reserved for future awards.

This opportunity provides funding to assist non-elderly people with disabilities who are:

• Transitioning from institutional or other segregated settings to community living;
• At serious risk of institutionalization;
• Homeless; or
• At risk of becoming homeless.

Applications for this funding opportunity will be reviewed for capacity and experience; leveraging resources; and achieving results and program evaluation. This opportunity is reserved for public housing agencies. Extra points will be rewarded to applying agencies that partner with health and human services agencies and community-based disability organizations.

Vouchers must be used to assist non-elderly people with disabilities (ages 18 up to 62) and their families. The eligible household member does not have to be head of the household. Eligibility is determined at the time the voucher is first issued.

This funding opportunity advances community living for people with disabilities. It also encourages partnerships with health and human service agencies and community-based organizations with a demonstrated capacity to coordinate services and supports that enable people with disabilities to live independently in the community.

Applications for this funding opportunity are due by 11:59 PM ET on June 18, 2018. View the details and application instructions.

Learn more about the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program. Email mainstreamvouchers@hud.gov with questions.

Thanks to a new law, people who handle Social security payments for those with disabilities will be more closely monitored.  The Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 imposes more oversight on representative payees who manage Social Security and Supplemental Security Income for those who need assistance.  The law prevents certain type of criminal backgrounds from being representative payees and it also prevents people who have a payee themselves from being able to be a representative for others.

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 Self-Determination Network News:

April 2018

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

Join the Discussion!

The Self-Determination Network posts a discussion question related to self-determination/self-direction every month in hopes that we can share experiences and learn from each other.  Last month, we had to great discussion about housing for people with disabilities.  

This month, we're discussing yet another major challenge for people with disabilities--employment.   What are  some interesting stories of people getting community jobs they like by using self-direction strategies? Join the Discussion!

Seeking Nominations for 2018 Empowerment Awards!

Do you know of an exciting Wisconsin agency, organization, program, practice or service that helps older people increase their independence or their control over their lives or services? InControl Wisconsin is seeking nominations for the 2018 Empowerment Awards! See this flyer for more information.  Nominations, which can be made by filling out this online form, are due May 15th.  Nominate someone today!

 Stacy’s Journal

People try to stay healthy by doing things such as eating right and exercising, but, unless something feels wrong with our bodies, we normally don’t think about what could go wrong or what we would want done if something catastrophic were to happen.  In April's journal entry, Stacy discusses how secondary effects of her disability have impacted her life and have made her have to make some tough decisions. 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:

• Airline Training:  In recent months, many airlines have been under heat for how employees treatment people with disabilities.  Find out which airline is training its employees to better understand the needs of people with disabilities.
• Doctors Focusing on Disabilities:  A new program is making sure new doctors are much more prepared to treat people with intellectual and  developmental disabilities.  Read about this unique program.
• Updated ABLE Guidance:  Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) published an updated version of its Program Operations Manual System (POMS) regarding the ABLE Act and ABLE accounts. Learn what the guidance is about.
• Grant Opportunities: Two new grant opportunities from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research have been announced: the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on exercise interventions for people with disabilities, and the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on health & function for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Learn about these grants and apply today! 
• Accessible Routes:  Google  Maps has a new accessibility feature that makes it easier for people with disabilities to get around.  Read about how the "wheelchair route" feature works.
• Guardianship Alternatives:  Recently, the National Council on Disability released a report that explains  that guardianship is commonly seen as a “benevolent measure” and imposed based upon assumptions about the capabilities of people with disabilities without appropriate reason.  Find out what steps the report recommends the government take to solve this.
• Disability Emojis:  New emojis representing various disabilities will soon be released.  Learn what the new emojis will include.
• Twitter Adds Reporting Option:  Twitter recently added "disability” to a list of protected groups on its abuse and harassment reporting page.  Find out what this is in response to.
• Ridesharing Lawsuit:  Another lawsuit against a ridesharing company was filed for violations of accessibility laws.  Read about how this suit doesn't ask for money damages, but rather accessibility through the company.

 Upcoming Events                                    

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

• WI FACETS Self-Advocacy Workshop: Self-Advocacy Spotlight:  April 24th, 6p.m. to 8p.m., WI FACETS, Milwaukee WI
• WEBINAR: Social Security’s Updated ABLE Guidance - A Deeper Dive:  April 26th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
• TIG Summit: Supporting Youth With Mental Health Needs In Transition Planning:  May 8th, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Madison WI 
• 2018 Employment First Conference:  May 22nd, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• 2018 Aging Empowerment Conference: June 14th-15th, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Madison 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.

A new funding opportunity from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has been announced for an Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on community living and participation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The purpose of the RRTC program, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topic areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other stakeholders.

The purpose of this particular RRTC is to conduct research, training, and related activities to contribute to optimal community living and participation outcomes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. View more details and application directions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on June 4, 2018.

To stay current on NIDILRR grant opportunities, please visit www.grants.gov and search: NIDILRR or 93.433.

Within ACL, NIDILRR works to generate new knowledge and promote its effective use to improve the abilities of individuals with disabilities to perform activities of their choice in the community; and to expand society's capacity to provide full opportunities and accommodations for people with disabilities. NIDILRR conducts its work through grants that support research and development.