Although, President Biden's effort to get eliminate waiting lists for people with disabilities by getting more funds into Medicaid and home-and-community-based services has halted at the moment, it appears the plan may soon get new life. The plan was opposed because it didn't include infrastructure bill. Despite the setback, advocates expect the extra funds for home-and-community-based services will be included in the recollection bill that could be passed in the coming months. 

Read more

Apply by July 30, 2021

The National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) has opened a new application opportunity to provide technical assistance (TA) at no charge to selected states, territories, or tribes for up to 100 hours per year, for up to two years.

TA recipients will work with national subject matter experts to develop a TA plan and achieve the outcomes identified in that plan. The NCAPPS team at the Human Services Research Institute will coordinate and deliver TA, in collaboration with subject matter experts. For more information about the current NCAPPS TA cohort, including summaries of TA activities and products, visit the Technical Assistance page of the NCAPPS website.

The NCAPPS June webinar included four of the states from the first cohort of NCAPPS TA -- the event (recording here) showcased what those states had learned from their TA and how they plan to use those learnings to continue making their systems more person-centered.

The application is the first of two phases in applying for TA. Within two weeks of submission of this application, the NCAPPS team will contact applicants to finalize the TA request during a second phase. The second phase involves a videoconference between the NCAPPS team and the applicant to gather more information, explore intended outcomes in greater detail, and confirm that the applicant is in a position to effectively advance needed change

Recently, President Biden signed an Executive Order to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal workforce.The Order confirms that the country is at its strongest when public servants embrace the full diversity of all people. It will help develop Federal workforce where qualified people from all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to serve the country. 

Read Order

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has provided a range of programs to support individuals, families, and communities. While some of these programs are long-standing, others were formed in direct response to the challenges created or exacerbated by the public health emergency. As we continue to move forward towards a “new normal,” the following resources remain available for those in need:

• The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is a temporary Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing discounts on service and devices.
• The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program from the Department of the Treasury assists families that are unable to pay rent or utilities so they can remain in their homes during the pandemic.
• The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provides federally funded assistance to cover home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and energy-related minor home repairs to eligible households.
• The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) from ACF is a new emergency program that provides funds to low-income households for water and wastewater bills, helps avoid water shut offs, and supports water system reconnections caused by missed payments during the pandemic.
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides monthly benefits that help families purchase healthy food from authorized retail food stores.

Request for Public Comment

Home and Community-Based Settings Rule: Statewide Transition Plan

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is opening a 30-day public comment period on its updated statewide transition plan to be submitted for final approval to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This public comment period is in accordance with federal requirements.

The HCBS settings rule requires states to develop a transition plan for reaching and maintaining compliance with the rule. Wisconsin's current plan for meeting the rule's requirements was last posted for public comment in March 2017 and submitted to CMS for review and approval. CMS gave initial approval of the statewide transition plan in July 2017.

CMS then requested that updates and revisions be made and that DHS repost the updated plan for public comment. The updated draft of the statewide transition plan is now available for public comment and reflects the updates and revisions CMS requested. Following this public comment period, the updated statewide transition plan will be resubmitted to CMS for final approval.

Public comment is an opportunity to support or rebut Wisconsin’s statewide transition plan for compliance with the HCBS Settings Rule requirements of the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Final Regulation (CMS 2249-F/2296-F). Submit your comments by July 26, 2021.

Find more information about the public comment period, along with the statewide transition plan, on the DHS website.

Many experts think that this summer's Paralympic Games are an opportunity for businesses to embrace an underrepresented segment of the workforce and help with the global coronavirus recovery. The Games have been very important in helping to remove stereotypes of the disability community. It has helped bring up conversations about how businesses and society can engage the 1.3 billion people living with disabilities. 

Read more

The Wisconsin Assembly sent bills to Governor Evers' office that would add challenges for people with disabilities to vote. The bills would put more restrictions on absentee voting. The proposals have faced criticism from disability advocates. One of the would require indefinitely confined voters to show photo ID in order to vote  every time they vote. It also would require more paperwork. Another bill would prohibit election officials from filling out missing information on the absentee vote certificate, which also is the envelope that voters use to return ballots. Another bill would make it a felony for employees of nursing homes and long-term care facilities to encourage residents to apply for , or not apply for, and absentee ballot. It would also require nursing homes to notify relatives when special voting for the deputies  to be on hand to help residents with filling out their ballots. Advocates hope that Governor Evers will veto these bills. 

Read more

iPads to Try Out

WisTech, Wisconsin's Assistive Technology Act Program, now has iPads available for short term loan for up to 30 days. The iPads can be pre-loaded with requested apps and used by an individual with a disability or family to decide if the device will meet their needs or not. 

To begin the process please visit Wisconsin AT4ALL. After you create a free account you can then search for an iPad under the Department of Health Services program. Once you add the iPad to your cart and click "check out," a request will be automatically sent to us. We will be in contact after receiving the request to gather a few more details and process the short term loan. 

Wisconsin AT4ALL is a great way to learn about what other devices are available for loan and demonstration. Assistive technology that is free or for sale is also listed from throughout the state. 

If you have specific questions please reach out to us via email.