PACER's National Parent Center on Transition & Employment (NPCTE) has a new section on their website focused on health and transition. Find information on health-related IEP goals, how to transition from pediatric care to adult care, building self-care and self-advocacy skills, and more.

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This issue of Impact highlights ways in which disability service providers, health and wellness professionals, community fitness and recreation programs, employers, advocates, individuals with disabilities, and their families can help ensure that health and wellness activities are as available to individuals with disabilities as to anyone else. It shares examples of how adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are involved in healthy activity, making social connections, developing supportive relationships, and actively participating in health care. Impact is published by the Institute on Community Integration & Research and Training Center on Community Living.

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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!

This is an available position through the Waisman Center for a Family Advocate with the WI PROMISE project.  This position will serve the southeastern part of the state (Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, etc.) and is posted at 50-100% time.  For more information about the position and to apply, click here.

The assured consideration date is March 24, 2017.

 Self-Determination Network News:

March 2017

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

The keynote speaker for the 4th annual Aging Empowerment Conference: Living a Self-Determined Life, sponsored by InControl Wisconsin, will be the Associate State Director State Advocacy from AARP Wisconsin, Helen Marks Dicks.   The keynote address is titled, "Powerful Aging: Changing the Stories We Tell."  Relationships between generations, just like those between individuals, are often based on perceptions, both positive and negative. How powerful we are and how powerful people perceive us to be can be limited or enhanced by attitudes about aging.  On one hand, those perceptions can be empowering and enriching.  They can enable and embolden people to stand up for their beliefs in the face of fear.  They can cultivate passion and meaning out of the pursuit of lifelong goals and dreams.  On the other hand, negative perceptions, if left unchecked and unchallenged, can construct barriers that limit our possibilities and define us in terms of deficit, particularly when it comes to aging.  The challenge for each of us is to rewrite the narrative of aging and tell a story that we have written and the one we want to live.  Helen Marks Dicks will share her thoughts on how we can all express our own power as the author of our own life story and how together we can reshape perceptions of aging.

Watch for registration information for this year's Aging Empowerment Conference coming soon! 

State Budget Summary

The voices of people with disabilities and their families are so important in shaping public policy at the local, state and federal levels. Here's a great new document from People First WI that shows what's in the Governor's proposed budget for the WI disability community, along with questions you can ask your legislators and the Governor. You can also use this at Disability Advocacy Day on March 21st in Madison.  Let your voice be heard!

Changes to Medicaid and the ACA

The House Health Subcommittee of the Energy & Commerce Committee introduced the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) replacement bill last week. A markup is the process by which congressional committees and subcommittees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation. In addition, according to The Hill, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of the bill is not ready. A CBO analysis shows items like how much the bill would cost and how many people could lose coverage.

The ACA contains many protections important to people with disabilities, including protections for people with pre-existing conditions, making sure that coverage people with disabilities need cannot be denied, and ensuring there is no lifetime limit on the amount of or cost of coverage you can receive.  This ACA bill contains major changes to Medicaid in the form of  Per Capita Caps--that will reduce funding and could result in changes to Wisconsin Medicaid funded programs like Family Care/IRIS, Katie Beckett, Children's Long-Term Supports, school and autism therapies and more. Medicaid makes it possible for people with disabilities and older adults to live in the community instead of nursing homes or institutions.  The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities has put together this presentation about how these changes would impact people with disabilities.  This article lists the top threats that these changes would pose to children and families.  Also, this video by the Kaiser Family Foundation does an excellent job of explaining how Medicaid currently works and what the proposed changes would mean for people. We encourage people to ask questions and share their thoughts about this proposal with their Representatives.  

 Stacy’s Journal

In this month's entry, Stacy discusses how, just like everyone else, people with disabilities strive to be independent. She shares how a recent change in her life has been stressful, but, yet, has made her as independent as possible! We encourage you to share your experiences as well.

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

• HCBS Statewide Transition Plan:  DHS is seeking public comment on its Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services statewide transition plan.  Let your voice be heard!
• 2017 Employment First Conference:  The Employment First Conference focuses on things such as integrated employment.  Register for this year's conference today!
• Tax Tips:  Regardless if they're working or not, people with disabilities and their caregivers usually have higher daily living and medical care costs. Learn about how some costs could be deductible. 
• Worker Shortage:  Governor Walker's next budget calls for a four percent increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rate for personal care, but advocates say this won't solve the problem.  Find out why.
• New App:  A new free app allows people who are deaf or hard of hearing to easily communicate with others.  Read about how this new app works.
• Criminal Justice Entities:  The Department of Justice recently released a guidance statement to address various criminal justice entities regarding compliance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Find out what the statement ensures.
• Update on Service Dogs:  Here's an update on a popular service dog case.  Learn how the U.S. Supreme Court ruled.
• 2017 Circles of Life Conference:  There are several opportunities to participate in this year's Circles of Life Conference.  Find how you can get involved.
• Disability Services Rating Site:  There's a new website where people can rate disability care and support options.  Read about how this website works.

 Upcoming Events                                    

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

• State Budget Training:  March 14th, 3p.m. to 5p.m., Independence First, Milwaukee WI
• State Budget Training:  March 14th, 6:15p.m. to 8p.m., Watermark Community and Senior Center, Beaver Dam WI
• State Budget Training:  March 15th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Law Enforcement Center, Portage WI
• Conference Call With Senator Bob Casey Re: Medicaid:  March 15th, 11a.m. to 11:30a.m., Phone
• State Budget Training:  March 16th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., The Arc of Racine County- Gateway, Racine WI
• State Budget Training:  March 17th, 3p.m. to 5p.m., Options for Independent Living, Green Bay WI
• Special Needs Resource Fair: March 18th, 10a.m. to 12p.m., St. Luke Church, Brookfield WI
• Disability Advocacy Day:  March 21st, 9:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison WI
• Wisconsin Able Accounts, Policy & Employment Initiatives Round Table:  March 22nd, 10a.m. to 12:30p.m., GE Research Park Auditorium, Wauwatosa WI 
• State Budget Training:  March 22nd, 6p.m. to 8p.m., Orchard Ridge Church of Christ, Madison WI
• State Budget Training:  March 23rd, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Legendary Resort, Bayfield WI
• State Budget Training:  March 23rd, 6p.m. to 7:30p.m., Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Legendary Resort, Bayfield WI
• State Budget Training:  March 28th, 7p.m. to 8p.m., The Arc of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac, WI
• Webinar: Can You See Me Now? Authentic Representation Of People With Disabilities On Television:  April 5th, 11a.m. to 12p.m., Online
• 2017 Multiple Perspectives Conference:  April 12th to 13th, Blackwell Hotel & Conference Center, Columbus OH
• 2017 Wisconsin Employment First Conference:  April 17th, 8:30a.m. to 4p.m., Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• 2017 National ADA Symposium: May 14th to 17th, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago IL
• Aging Advocacy Day:  May 17th, Madison WI
• 2017 Aging Empowerment Conference: June 6th-7th, Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum:  July 9th to 14th, Edgewood College, Madison, WI
• 2017 Self-Determination Conference:  November 1st to 3rd, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells 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.

Many people use websites like Yelp or other rating sites to choose what restaurants to go to or what doctor they see.  Now, there's an online directory that allows disability care and support options to be listed, rated, and reviewed.  The founders hope that it will allow people with disabilities to pick and choose what works for them, rather than having to accept what's offered.  Clickability puts information on disability services in one searchable place.  

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George Town University released an article listing the top five threats posed  to  children and families by turning the Medicaid program into a block grant.  The reasons include:

1. It's a cut.
2. It jeopardizes the nation's progress in covering kids.
3. It leaves states holding the bag when a new disease strikes or a new treatment is discovered.
4. It diminishes state flexibility to respond to changing economic circumstances.
5. It endangers key features of Medicaid that work for kids – namely its strong benefits and cost-sharing protections.

The article explains why each reason is a threat.  Block grants are said to bring innovation and opportunities to states, but many feel that any major changes to Medicaid would have a big impact on  the health and financial security of families and communities.   

Read article

2017 Wisconsin Employment First Conference

Embracing Change: Together We Make It Happen

Only four more weeks to the conference, make sure to Register Now!

See full conference program with session descriptions and presenters:  2017 Employment First Conference Program

CEU’s and CRC’s will be available!

The Wisconsin Board for Developmental Disabilities, Wisconsin APSE and People First Host the Fourth Annual Employment First Conference on April 5^th at the Kalahari resort.

This year’s conference title is Embracing Change: Together We Make It Happen. The conference focuses on the changes happening at the state and federal level and how these changes will significantly increase integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Change provides both opportunities and challenges. This conference brings together individuals with disabilities, family members, state vocational rehabilitation counselors, employment providers, policy makers, and educators to learn and share creative ways to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities. 

The conference will provide many opportunities for learning, sharing resources, and developing connections. At each breakout session, there will be topics specifically geared towards individuals with disabilities, family members, employment service providers, long-term care providers, state vocational rehabilitation counselors, and educators.

Some of the many excellent speakers include:

• Keynote speaker, Patti Killingsworth will talk about talk about how Tennessee launched the “Employment and Community First CHOICES” managed long-term care program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  It is the first managed long-term care program in the country specifically designed to advance Employment First.
• Janet Estervig and a panel of key leadership from the Department of Health Services will talk about how the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Non-Residential Rule is moving forward. 
• Lisa Mills, National Consultant, will talk about the growth of Integrated employment and day Services options in Wisconsin, and present examples from providers doing innovative practices
• Sara Murhpy, Transcen Inc. National Consultant, will talk about encouraging Independence, facilitating natural Supports and ways to encourage self-confidence in community settings, the dignity of risk and how to build a network of support that goes well beyond program services.
• Linda Hedenblad, will do an informative, interactive and fun session that will explore the basic concepts of Motivational Interviewing and experience a taste of how it may be applied. 
• Michael Callahan, national consultant, will talk about the “Seven Phase Sequence” designed to engage natural supports from day one of the individual’s employment.
• EF Ambassadors, individuals with disabilities, will share their compelling stories and outreach efforts that are having a tremendous impact on local communities and statewide policies. 
• A panel of employers and the individuals with disabilities that they hired, will talk about how they worked together to make their business stronger and get the job done!

For individuals who are not able to pay the conference fee contact Ann Sievert at ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-9897 for a conference fee waiver code.

Hope to See You at the Conference!