Madison, Wis., – Thomas Cook, executive director, Rehabilitation for Wisconsin in Action (RFWiA), joins other top state association executives from around the country who will report on the experiences of disability service providers in their states at the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities Thurs., Sept. 20 in Harrisburg, Pa. 

Wisconsin’s approach to managed care; the application of state limits on services; threats to community rehabilitation facilities; and high-profile litigation will be showcased in a panel session featuring Cook, “Roads Taken: Choices for States in Managing Human Services.”

Cook’s other session, “Getting Down to Business: New Opportunities for Community Rehabilitation Programs,” will explain the successes of RFWiA member organizations in developing new business; increasing commercial contracts that yield job opportunities for people with disabilities; maximizing state use programs; and integrating business and service models.

Since 1972, Cook has worked in direct support, operational, policy, design, and consulting roles related to services for people with disabilities. He began serving as RFW's executive director in Oct. 2008.  Under Cook’s leadership, RFW in Action was the first provider association to support calls for a legislative audit of Family Care, Wisconsin’s managed care and long-term care program for frail elders and people with disabilities. Cook is currently consulting with the state of North Dakota as part of the JVGA – Potentia team on the use of the Supports Intensity Scale for resource allocation and service planning for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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