News
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Funding Opportunity for RRTC on Community Living and Participation Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
By SD Network, 2023-02-09
The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has a new funding opportunity under the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) Program to address 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.
RRTC on Community Living and Participation Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: 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, including those with co-occurring disabilities.
View more details and application instructions.
Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on April 3, 2023.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Amy has a master's degree in special education and school social work. In the past, she was a 504 coordinator. Currently, she’s a special education teacher at an elementary school. “I have a passion for education and working with kids and making policy changes that make positive changes for all people,” she says.
She has a two-year-old service dog named Beans. She was Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin and Miss Wheelchair USA.
What does Self-Determination mean to you? Why is it important?
To Amy, self-determination means living life to the best of her ability. She explains that it's important because it's a weight that everyone has and she thinks we need to do a better job with attendant care, transition, jobs and education for people with disabilities. “The possibilities are limitless when given opportunity but, unfortunately, we are not given opportunities,” she says.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
The most exciting for Amy is that, even though it’s a struggle sometimes, every day she’s able to live in my own apartment and work a job as a special education teacher--while nagging over 13 specialists, needing attendant care, and not being able to drive.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Amy encourages everyone to never give up and don't let people speak for you. “It’s not who you think you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not,” she explains.
What are some of your hobbies?
During her spare time, Amy enjoys hanging out with friends, being with her service dog Beans, volunteering, water skiing in the summer, and watching and playing wheelchair basketball. “I’m always an advocate,” she exclaims!
***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.
AMERICAN PLANNINGG ASSOCIATION: Pete Buttigieg Wants to Make Transit Accessible — And Pay for It, Too
By SD Network, 2023-02-07
One in four U.S. adults have a disability that affects major life activities. Yet transportation networks, from missing stretches of sidewalk to legacy train systems built long before the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, often lack features like elevators that are necessary for people who use wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility aids. The secretary of transportation talks mobility justice, missing sidewalks and elevators, and billions in federal grants currently up for grabs.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell have introduced legislation to expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for adults, people with disabilities and injured workers, while increasing pay and improving benefits for in-home caregivers.
RESEARCH ON DISABILITY: Release of Annual Disability Statistics Collection
By SD Network, 2023-02-07
StatsRRTC at the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability will release key findings from the Annual Disability Statistics Collection. The annual report addresses critical gaps in national and state data related to people with disabilities by synthesizing complex data from numerous U.S. federal agencies into accessible formats.
"We're getting our first look at post-COVID statistics for many indicators because the collection of 2020 data was corrupted by the COVID lockdown."
– Andrew Houtenville
The ADSC is designed to make finding and using disability statistics easier for individuals working on legislative and other matters relating to persons with disabilities.
Key findings from this year's Compendium include:
- The Annual Disability Statistics Compendium
- Annual Disability Statistics Supplement
- State Reports for County-Level Data
- New and Updated Infographics
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule: Statewide Transition Plan
By SD Network, 2023-02-03
The HCBS settings rule requires states to develop a transition plan for reaching and maintaining compliance with the rule. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) received final approval on its Statewide Transition Plan from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 20, 2023. Read the approved Statewide Transition Plan here.
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: EVV 101: What is Electronic Visit Verification and How Does it Work?
By SD Network, 2023-02-01
Now is the time to learn about and practice EVV
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Electronic visit verification (EVV) is required by federal law. All states have to collect visit information using an EVV system or they won’t get their full federal funding for Medicaid. Right now, EVV is in the soft launch phase. This is a time for provider agencies and workers to learn and start using an EVV system without affecting how provider agencies get paid. When the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) moves to the hard launch phase on May 1, 2023, there will be consequences if workers aren’t using EVV for required services (codes T1019, T1020, S5125, and S5126). These consequences may include the provider agency not getting paid, not being part of future MCO or HMO capitation rate setting development, and possible IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) participant disenrollment. Please learn about EVV now while we are in the soft launch phase, so you are ready to go by May 1, 2023. Here are two videos and a flyer that explain what EVV is and how it works.
If you know someone who wants updates about EVV, ask them to sign up for our emails. Please reach out with any questions or comments you may have. We value your time. Wisconsin EVV Customer Care833-931-2035vdxc.contactevv@wisconsin.gov Hours: Monday-Friday7 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT |