Dear Mr. President:

The purpose of this letter is to provide comments on behalf of ACCSES members and the people with the most significant disabilities we serve and employ regarding the National Council on Disability’s (NCD) Report on Subminimum Wage and Supported Employment (August 23, 2012).

...We support several statements of policy included in the introduction regarding the need to apply the vision of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the need to eliminate discrimination. We also support many of the recommendations included in the report as part of a “comprehensive system of supports” [page 6]that reflect a consensus position, including support for expanded and improved integrated benefits planning and assistance [pages 9-10]; peer support for families and individuals with disabilities [pages 10-11]; opportunities to explore and discover (notification of services) competitive, integrated employment [page 11]; and modernization of state infrastructures to facilitate the expansion of supported employment such as including incentives to encourage competitive, integrated employment outcomes. [page 14]

However, we strongly disagree with assertions regarding the alleged “propagation of injustices” under the current system, which relies on section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (Section 14(c)).

Read the full letter.

CONTACT Thomas Cook, Rehabilitation for Wisconsin in Action This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (608) 244-5310

Public Meeting about Cuts to Vital Services for People with Disabilities

Concerned citizens invited to attend a meeting about the Family Care program Sept. 18 in Portage

 Portage, Wis. – Wisconsin’s most vulnerable citizens are experiencing disruptions in their services due to budget cutting measures by some of the managed care organizations that administer the Family Care program, the state’s long-term care services for people with disabilities and the frail elderly.

A free public forum will be held 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tues., Sept. 18, 2012 at the VFW 215 W. Collins St., Portage, Wis., for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), families, guardians, service providers, educators, and advocates to learn more, voice their experiences, and understand their rights to challenge the changes that will result from these cuts.

“While we appreciate efforts made by legislators and the Ombudsmen program, families, guardians, and our communities must learn how to fight for our loved ones. No one will hold your hand,” said Wayne Jessen, a father and advocate for his son Travis, who receives Family Care services.

Journal Sentinel Sept. 11, 2012 Letter to the Editor (hat tip to Wayne Jessen for the article)

I read the article by Nicole Levy about Scott Visocky in the Sept. 5 Journal Sentinel ("Caretakers confront cut in aid"). She told Visocky's story so well. I, too, have a story and would like to share it with you.

Funding cuts did push people out of their group home!

The picture caption to Levy's article about group homes indicated funding cuts "may push" Visocky out of his residence. We can say for a fact that cuts did push four residents from their home less than two months ago. The group home is the Springdale House in Brookfield, run by Lutheran Social Services.

Community Health Partnership, a long-term care, managed care organization serving western Wisconsin, will close at the end of 2012. The MCO serves 2,700 people with disabilities and employs 360 people.

In July, CHP told the state it's not financially viable to continue offering Family Care services. WQOW in Eau Claire has the full story.

Daniel C. McAlees, Ph.D., 75, passed away on August 29, 2012 in Menomonie, Wisconsin.  Dan was born February 6, 1937 in West Reading, Pennsylvania to Florence and Thomas.  Dan had one brother (Tommy). In 1959, Dan and Carole Koch were married in Reading, PA (divorced in 1983) and raised three children, Daniel (Tucson, AZ), Sands (St. Paul, MN), and Heathre (Tucson, AZ). Dan had five grand-children at the time of his death: BeiLi (Dan) Caleb, Gracie and Leah (Sands) and Lizarayne (Heathre) and one great grandson Lenox (BeiLi). In 1984, Dan married Mary Jane Rains (divorced in 2009) and they remained committed friends until Dan's passing. Dan had many dear friends who stuck with him through thick and thin including Mary Hovind, Bob Stoeklen along with Fred and Ruth Menz.

At UW Stout, Dan served from 1976 to 2000 as the Director of the Research and Training Center, a premier resource to people with disabilities and the state-federal rehabilitation program.  Dan was also as a Professor in Rehabilitation and Counseling at UW Stout.

Help us sustain and protect Medicaid services for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable citizens! Family Care • Medicaid • IRIS Program Recipients

Tuesday, September 18, 2012
6:30—8:30 pm

VFW Post 1707 • 215 W Collins St., Portage, WI

Who Should Attend

Families, guardians and consumers who receive Medicaid, Family Care or IRIS services from the Wis. Dept. of Health Services, the Wis. Dept. of Vocational Training, or a Community Rehabilitation Program like Northwoods, Inc. or VARC; Special Education Teachers; Transition Counselors; and/or Social Service Providers.

Download the event flyer for more information.

The Hudson Star-Observer weighs in on the recent Family Care class action lawsuit with an op-ed "There's got to be a better way."

But efforts to balance the budget should not come at the expense of those who deserve and require society’s helping hand. People who cannot speak for themselves, as well as their often overwhelmed guardians, should not be subject to the turmoil of uncertainty and changing routines.

 

Those entrusted with the state’s Family Care system need to take a step back and start using a bit more common sense and empathy when making decisions that impact those in their care. Any funding decisions should put people first, and not dollars first.