In this SD Network Member Spotlight, we'll meet Patti Becker.

1. How are you involved with the SD Network?

I am involved with SDS in both my work and personal life. My work life has always included working with individuals using services to find the community supports they wanted, not what others thought they needed. Currently, I work with individuals using long-term care supports in both Family Care and IRIS in my role of supporting the work of InControl Wisconsin. InControl has a fantastic group of consultants and dedicated board of directors who do an excellent job of keeping the ideas and resources of self-determination present in Wisconsins landscape. I also work as a consultant to the IRIS program, providing technical support and resources to the IRIS Community Living Initiative. We are working hard to get the message out to Wisconsin IRIS participants that they can have control of where and with whom they live.

In my personal life, I have two third graders at my house, one who uses special education supports and one who uses gifted and talented supports. This year my son began leading his own IEP meetings. Both realized they did not appreciate the segregation their learning styles were creating and have advocated with us for them to return to a more inclusive self-determined school schedule. We are proud of both of them and their school district for keeping up with the paces of change.

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

What is most exciting about SDS and self-determination is the momentum it has had in growth these past few years. Wisconsin has gone from a state where SDS was active in a few counties, but now almost 10,000 people use IRIS and more folks are choosing self-determination in managed care than ever before in its history. This growth brings challenges for communities, providers and individuals using services. Challenges bring opportunity and it is exciting to think of the creative changes that are on the horizon.

3. What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to direct their own supports, or who would want to be more self-determined?

People who want or use SDS need to know that creativity and community connections are their best ally. SDS isnt about how to make the most of your public dollars. Rather it's about how to make the most of your life in the community, accessing public dollars as needed. This can be a difficult paradigm shift to make for many whove lived a system-driven life. But once the shift happens, lives really do get better.

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

I have a number of quotes I hold on to when things get rough. I think everyone should have some. I will share two with the SDS network:

• If you arent living on the edge, you are taking up too much space. ~Lou Whittaker, famous mountainclimber.
• Put your helmet back on and keep marching forward.~self-advocate and SDS leader in Wisconsin, Steve Verriden.

5. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

I have had both dogs and cats in my life. I would say I am more of a dog person. Oddly, our newest dog Herbie a lab/bassett hound mix, is a bit like a cat in his demeanor and behavior.

6. What's your favorite movie or book or song/musician?

This is the hardest question to answer. My favorites vary throughout time, but I consistently am a fan of the blues.

SPARKS Grants are designed to "SPARK" innovative methods for building community capacity in the areas of (1) grassroots community organizing, (2) integrated employment, or (3) self-directed supports. The innovative methods SPARKS Grants ignite are intended to support local, grassroots efforts that involve people with and without disabilities, leading to systems change that improves the lives of people with disabilities.

Grant recipients will guide a project that addresses at least one of the areas mentioned above. Grants will be awarded on the basis of creative, effective strategies that are likely to result in systems change that will improve the lives of people with disabilities. In 2011, 15 SPARKS projects were funded throughout Wisconsin.

To apply for a SPARKS Grant, complete and submit the SPARKS Grants application packet (application form, budget worksheet and project work plan). Instructions for how to submit the application packet can be found within the forms. The deadline to apply for a SPARKS Grant is 12:00 p.m. on Monday, July 23, 2012.

SPARKS Grants are funded by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) and are provided to people with disabilities and families in Wisconsin. To learn more about SPARKS Grants, visit the BPDD website.

Please forward this message to parties who might be interested in applying for a SPARKS Grant. And if you plan on applying for a SPARKS Grant, dont forget to get creative!

Want to know about a hip magazine for active wheelchair users? Check out New Mobility. You can order a subscription but they also have a number of interesting articles right on theirwebsite.

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Make It Work Milwaukee Coalition Transit Survey

At the last Make It Work Milwaukee Coalition meeting, Coalition members reviewed a proposed survey to be completed by people with disabilities and older adults in Milwaukee County who use transit services. The purpose is to better understand how the transit services in Milwaukee County meet their needs and to understand if access and quality are changing. Survey findings will be compiled and results will be shared with the disability and aging community and policy makers to help guide our transportation advocacy work.

There is an online format survey that can be filled out by clicking on the link. Make It Work Milwaukee Coalition Transit Survey

We need your help!

If you are a person with a disability or an older adult who uses transportation services in Milwaukee County, please complete this survey and return ASAP.

Please share this survey with your friends, colleagues, and clients who use transportation services in Milwaukee and ask them to complete the survey.

Our graduate student Kim Brown is coordinating the survey, and can also visit meetings, program sites, etc, to explain the survey, and, if needed, assist consumers with completing the survey - contact me if you would like to schedule a visit from Kim! barbarab@drwi.orgor 414-773-4646

Thanks for your help in ensuring we get a great response to the survey!

Thanks to Cathy Steffke from DRW for sharing this information with us!

Although we didn't have many people respond to this question, they were completely unanimous in their responses - YES! And we saw great results last week in the Wisconsin state legislature, as they passed the bill lifting the caps on Family Care and IRIS. That bill, with an amendment, was signed into law this past Monday by Gov. Walker. We'll soon have more information on this bill, as well as others that were passed and defeated last week.

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

DHS Town Hall Meetings: Long-Term Care Sustainability Plan

The Department of Health Services (DHS) will hold a series of town hall meetings. DHS is seeking input from consumers, community partners, and providers on its Long-Term Care Sustainability Plan. This is an opportunity to share your ideas so the quality of Wisconsins long-term care services can remain high and still be cost-effective.

Survival Coalition has a new information sheetto help you be ready to share your thoughts.

Thursday, March 8,3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Green Bay
The Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
1315 Lime Kiln Road
Multi-Purpose Room
Green Bay, WI 54311

Friday, March 9,2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: La Crosse
UW-La Crosse
1725 State Street
Cartwright Center, Room 339
La Crosse, WI 54601
Free Parking: Lot C-2

Monday, March 12,2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Madison
Goodman Community Center
149 Waubesa Street
Evjue Room D
Madison, WI 53704

Tuesday, March 20, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Milwaukee
Milwaukee Center for Independence
Conference Center
2020 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233

Friday, March 30, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Wausau
Northcentral Technical College
Auditorium
1000 West Campus Drive
Wausau, WI 54401

Individuals interested in speaking at the town hall meeting will have up to five minutes to share their ideas. You can also submit feedback by completing an online survey.

Background information about the 2011-2013 Long-Term Care Sustainability Plan is available on the DHS website. This information includes a plan for employment supports.

People who require special accommodations to attend or participate in the meeting should notify DHS at 608-266-9622 (TTY 888-701-1250) by the day prior to the event

There are lots of ways that SDS can be used. When we asked this question, your answers were spread out pretty evenly over the choices that were given.

One answer that written in on the poll captures it best -With SDS, you get what you need to live your life the way you choose.