News
WISCONSIN FAMILY AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT ALLIANCE: Survey: WI Priorities for the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
By SD Network, 2024-06-27
The Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance wants to hear from YOU! Wisconsin Priorities for the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers:
- Survey for Family Caregivers
- Survey for Professionals
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Survey for Family Caregivers: This survey, sponsored by the Wisconsin Family & Caregiver Support Alliance, solicits input from FAMILY CAREGIVERS telling us what they need. In late 2022, the federal government released our nation’s first National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, which Wisconsin is now implementing. Your responses about the five core goals of the National Strategy will be used to design future family caregiver supports and to advocate on behalf of the needs for caregivers. It is not necessary to read the entire National Strategy to take this survey. However, this list of Actions for States, Communities, and Others may be of interest. Anyone who is, has been, or may one day be caring for a family member or friend in any capacity is encouraged to complete this survey. |
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Survey for Professionals: This survey, sponsored by the Wisconsin Family & Caregiver Support Alliance, solicits input about the needs of family caregivers in our state. In late 2022, the federal government released our nation’s first National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, which Wisconsin is now implementing. Your responses about the five core goals of the National Strategy will be used to design future family caregiver supports and to advocate on behalf of the needs for caregivers. It is not necessary to read the entire National Strategy to take this survey. However, this list of Actions for States, Communities, and Others may be of interest. |
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Want to learn more about the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA)? Visit our website wisconsincaregiver.org Have questions? You can contact us via email at wfacsa@gmail.com |
WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED: What to Know About Your Voting Rights as Fall Elections Approach
By SD Network, 2024-06-25
There are two major elections coming up. The Partisan Primary Election is August 13th and the General Election is November 5th. There are several important things that voters with disabilities need to know. The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired has published an article about all the rights and information that voters with disabilities need to know.
AP NEWS: Judge allows disabled voters in Wisconsin to electronically vote from home
By SD Network, 2024-06-25
A Dane County judge has ruled that voters who self-identify that they are unable to read or mark a ballot without assistance can be issued absentee ballots electronically. This is a temporary injection of a bigger lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters, and for people with disabilities.
Self-Determination Network News:
June 2024
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Registration for the 2024 Self-Determination Conference Opens in July
The 2024 Self-Determination Conference will be held October 21st-23rd at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. It's one of Wisconsin’s biggest (and most amazing) event for people with disabilities and the people who support them. Last year, over 800 people attended the conference! This year’s theme: A Seat at the Table: Nothing About Us Without Us! will help people with disabilities have a voice in supports they need to lead a more Self-Determined live. Registration will open in July. We'll be sending out a message when registration is available. Stay tuned for details!
InControl Wisconsin's Caring Across Cultures Project
Join an Upcoming Lunch & Learn Webinar about Voting
Constitutional amendments will be on the ballot again in August. Changing our constitution is big deal. Join the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition's Lunch & Learn on Tuesday June 25th from 12p.m. to 12:45p.m. to learn what they’re about. We will also talk about how the new maps may impact you, what else is on the ballot, and how you can be prepared. Register for the webinar here.
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.
This month, we shined the spotlight on the vice president of InControl Wisconsin, Julie. This fierce advocate for people with disabilities full-heartedly believes in the true meaning of self-direction and continues to push for change. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Julie.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
Check out the Latest Videos!
The Self-Determination Channel is a YouTube channel by and for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Unlike other channels, the Self-Determination Channel stands stand out from other channels on YouTube because self-advocates host the videos, and decide and create the content. Videos are posted a couple times a month on a variety of topics self-advocates care about such as technology, employment, caregivers, independent living, and advocacy.
Check out the newest videos on the channel:
- Your own personal story matters.
- LGTBQ+ We are out there. You are not alone.
- What change would you like to see in the disability community?
We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do so by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Caregiving Front and Center in the Election: With the election a few short months away, caregivers of all types are seeking better health care options. According to one report, home health care and child day care are both in the top 10 industries with the largest number of working Medicaid enrollees. Learn why Medicaid expansion would greatly help.
- Accessible Workplaces: Every year, Global Accessibility Awareness Day brings awareness to the need for digital access and inclusion in the workplace. Read about else should be considered when creating an accessible workplace.
- Adaptive Clothing Startup: When people pick out what clothes they're going to wear, most take things like the weather, plans for the day, and their mood in to consideration. However, not many people think about how many buttons something has or how hard the zipper is on a certain piece of clothing. For people who have dexterity limitations or physical limitations, things like that really matter. Find out about an adaptive clothing startup in Madison that seeks to resolve those types of problems for people with disabilities.
- Changes to SSI: The Social Security Administration is making several changes to the Supplemental Security Income program, which will take effect in September. Read about the changes coming.
- WisCaregiver Connections: WisCaregiver Careers offers a free training for certified direct care professionals and certified nursing assistants. One component of the program is the WisCaregiver Connections online workforce platform that gives hiring providers access to certified workers. Learn more about the program.
- New Accessibility Features: Apple announced a range of new capabilities aimed at making life easier for people with disabilities including an option to control a phone or tablet using only a person’s eyes. Find out what other features are going to be available.
- Solutions to the Direct Care Workforce Crisis: Experts discussed solutions to improve jobs for the nation’s direct care workers at the National Skills Coalition’s 2024 Skills Summit. Read about some of the ideas that were thought of.
- Push for Better Healthcare for Co-occurring Conditions: National developmental disability advocacy groups are linking multimillion-dollar partnerships with some big players in health care in a push to better address co-occurring conditions. Learn about what groups are hoping to do.
- EVV Hard Launch Date: A date for the hard launch of electronic visit verification (EVV) for home health care services and personal care nurse supervisory visits has been set. Find out when it is.
- Rebuilding Trust in Healthcare: According to a recent poll, the majority of people with disabilities have negative health care experience. Read about why many advocates feel that it's time for government to step in.
- The Pink Umbrella Theater Company: The Pink Umbrella Theater Company was founded in 2018 as Milwaukee’s first theater for artists with a wide range of disabilities. Find out more about this unique company.
- Partners in Policymaking: Partners in Policymaking is an advocacy and systems change training program that develops leaders who are able to work with legislators and communities on policies and initiatives that will support the full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Applications are due on October 4th.
- SPARKs Grants: Do you have an idea to make your community a better place for people with disabilities? Organize your grassroots group and apply for funding to help make it happen! Find out more about SPARKs grants and apply today!
- Funding for Transportation: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced $7.8 million for 17 projects that will improve public transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals. Learn about what these grants will support.
- Input Needed on the Family Care Waiver: Last year, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services asked members, family, friends, caregivers, providers, managed care organizations, tribal leaders, advocates, and other partners how they can improve Family Care and Family Care Partnership. They used that input to draft changes to the program waivers. Now, they want your input on the draft waiver renewal application. Comments due on July 5th.
- National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers: The Administration for Community Living announced availability of $2 million to support the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. The applications are due August 6th.
- Researchers Creating a Robotic Arm: Researchers at UW-Milwaukee are creating a robotic arm accessory to increase mobility for people with disabilities. Read about how this arm was created..
- New Guidance: The nation’s pediatricians are getting new guidance on how to help teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families navigate the transition to adulthood. Learn what's included in the guidance.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Lunch And Learn: Constitutional Amendments And Fair Maps Webinar: June 25th, 12p.m. to 12:45p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Picture This! Identifying Non-Compliant Elements & Spaces: July 11th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- WisTech 2024 Training # 3 Host With The Most: Inclusive Party Planning: July 16th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual
- WisTech 2024 Training #4 Towards Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: August 20th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual
- WisTech 2024 Training #5 Technology And Tranquility: AT For Mental Health And And Self Care: September 17th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual
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.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Input Needed To Support Development of National Plan On Aging
By SD Network, 2024-06-17
Input Needed To Support Development of National Plan On AgingComments may be submitted until Sunday, September 15, 2024
On May 30, ACL released “Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging.” The Strategic Framework captures the opportunities and challenges created by the aging of the U.S. population and defines goals and objectives for addressing critical aging issues. It provides a road map for developing a national plan on aging that will advance best practices for service delivery, support development and strengthening of partnerships within and across sectors, identify solutions for removing barriers to health and independence for older adults, and more.
The Strategic Framework was developed by leaders and experts from 16 federal agencies and departments working together through the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities, with support from community partners and leaders in the aging services network. In the coming months, the ICC and partners will engage with stakeholders across the nation to explore the opportunities and issues in the Strategic Framework and inform the development of the national plan on aging. We are pleased to share the first national public input opportunity! The National Plan on Aging Community Engagement Collaborative, which is comprised of three ICC partners — West Health, The SCAN Foundation, and The John A. Hartford Foundation — is seeking input from both individuals and organizations on the Strategic Framework and key aging issues. By completing a short online survey, you can help shape the national plan on aging. Please make your voice heard — and please spread the word to help elevate the voices of older adults and community partners! About the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities Led by ACL, the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities was established under the Older Americans Act to foster coordination across the federal government and to develop a national set of recommendations on key aging issues. With first-ever appropriations to support the ICC received in fiscal year 2023, ACL convened leaders and experts across 16 federal agencies and departments to develop the Strategic Framework. The promise embedded in this Strategic Framework, however, extends beyond government coordination. Its vision, values, goals, and actions are intended to create and strengthen cross-sector partnerships and for the betterment of older adults nationwide. Learn more about the ICC on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities at ACL.gov/ICC-Aging. |
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The nation’s pediatricians are getting new guidance on how to help teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families navigate the transition to adulthood. In a policy statement published this month in the journal Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics is spelling out the steps that physicians should take as children move toward age 18 when they will be legally recognized as adults.
SPECTRUM NEWS: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee researchers create accessory to increase mobility for the disabled
By SD Network, 2024-06-11
UWM researchers are working on a robotic arm accessory that is designed to increase mobility for people with disabilities. Over the last four years, students studying Biomedical Informatics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering have been working on this project. This research was partly funded with a grant from the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. Researchers say they will test the accessory this summer with actual patients.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: ACL Announces Nearly $2 Million To Support State Implementation of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
By SD Network, 2024-06-11
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Applications due Tuesday, August 6, 2024
ACL is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $2 million to support statewide implementation of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. ACL will award four cooperative agreements to state units on aging (SUA) to undertake a range of activities in response to this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). Each project will be fully funded for a period of 24 months with one, 24-month budget of up to $490,000. Each grantee will be expected to focus on implementing at least three (3) of the five goals of the Strategy, as determined by the state’s needs and priorities, including:
The initiative is in keeping with President Biden’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers, signed April 18, 2023. This executive order directs federal agencies to take more than 50 actions including those that could expand access to home and community-based services; grow and strengthen the direct care workforce; support family caregivers; and more — giving us a unique opportunity to transform our long-term care systems and mitigate the challenges faced by family, kin, and tribal caregivers. An informational call for prospective applicants will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET.
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