The State of Medicaid

Over the past few months, the discussion around the state over changes to Medicaid programs has generated many questions from IRIS Participants, family members, and friends. Whether the questions were general or specific, they could best be summarized by asking, "what does this mean for me?"

You can be assured that at this time, there are no changes being made to the IRIS program that would affect your ability to access the support and services you need to build your life. An essential part of a successful self-directed program is providing you the information you need. IRIS is committed to informing you of any changes that would impact program participants.

It is important to note the positive comments delivered by the Secretary of the Department of Health Services; Dennis Smith and Deputy Secretary Kitty Rhoades, at the various listening sessions around the state, confirmed Wisconsin's commitment to promote self-direction within its long-term care system.

You are the heart of the IRIS program. Our purpose is to help you build the life you want with the supports you need. We look forward to a continued partnership with you.

On May 31, 2010 the following people were included in IRIS: 3983 Participants 167 Consultants

IRIS Consultant: Twyla Bakken

Twyla Bakken is "a rock solid IRIS Consultant and is a very caring person," says her Mentor, Zacharious Pappas. She currently works with 40 IRIS Participants.

Over the years, Twyla has been involved with many aspects of the IRIS program. Her mother, nephew, and mother-in-law are all IRIS Participants. Twyla started working for her nephew and mother-in-law as an employee. One day, while at an IRIS informational meeting, Twyla met Deb Zitzke, IRIS Consultant Coordinator. Deb chatted with Twyla and suggested that she consider becoming an IRIS Consultant. Twyla submitted an application after her mother's IRIS Consultant made the same suggestion. Twyla started working with her IRIS Participants in May 2010.

Twyla says that her favorite part of being an IRIS Consultant is meeting people and the privilege she feels when people place their trust in her. She enjoys helping people discover new opportunities and experiences.

When Twyla is not working as an IRIS Consultant, she enjoys spending time with her husband, her children, and grandchildren. "People are my hobbies," she says. Twyla likes to spend time at her cabin with her family, but her favorite thing to do is spending a quiet evening on the porch with her husband and a good cup of coffee.

Twyla enjoys her work as an IRIS Consultant. She consistently encourages people to treat each other as they would like to be treated. When asked about what message she would like to send out to IRIS Participants, she said, "Never give up. There are multitudes of people ready to help. You are never alone. There are always doors to open."

IRIS Participant: Jennifer Addis
By Jennifer Addis

On March 16, 1997, I was the passenger in a tragic drunk-driving accident, which left me paralyzed from the chest down.

At the age of 24, I was forced into a world in which I had to adapt to society's expectations, stereotypes, and misperceptions of what an individual in a wheelchair was perceived as. After losing my independence, my dignity, my job, and everything I had ever known, I started over from square one! Today, I am a thriving C5-C6 quadriplegic.

My Occupation: Motivational, Inspirational, Educational Speaker

I provide motivation, inspiration, and education by speaking through personal experience; using primarily my own adversity and how I have overcome it. To tell my story, I design unique speeches and presentations that are adapted around my client's requests. I create PowerPoints and picture slide shows designed for a particular function and venue. Whether I am speaking at a university, college, school, church, convention or conference, I listen to my client's expectations, ideas, and what messages they want to be heard and addressed in the end.

Inspiration Speaks: This is How I Roll
715-630-6789
addisjenny@yahoo.com
www.inspirationspeaks.me

Luxury Shirts for men and women www.josephryanclothing.com

Work Incentive Benefits Specialists: Information For People With Disabilities Who Want To Work

By Keith Heimforth

For some time, there have been Disability Benefits Specialists to help people apply for financial and healthcare benefits, and Elderly Benefits Specialists for issues that elders face in qualifying for and maintaining necessary benefits. Less familiar are Work Incentive Benefits Specialists (WIBS), who have many of the same skills and knowledge as the others, and are particularly knowledgeable about how earnings affect the complex web of benefits. So, we have created a brochure to increase the awareness of this essential resource. It explains what a WIBS can do, why they are needed, how they are trained, what the research shows about their impact, and where you can find one. Copies of this brochure are available at Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offices, Independent Living Centers, and elsewhere. There is also an online version at: http://bit.ly/iWPCEm.

We know that a majority of people with disabilities want to work. And the evidence is clear that they are capable of doing so, at either a part-time or full-time level. In 25 years working with people with disabilities, I gradually became convinced that there is almost no one with a disability who is unable to work at some level of competitive employment, given the necessary supports and the right work environment.

But most people with disabilities have a fear that working will cause them to lose the financial and (especially) the health care benefits that they depend on, leaving them without the safety net that they need to move forward with confidence. This fear has a basis in experience for many – they have gone to work, and bad and mysterious things have happened to their benefits, leaving them more hesitant than ever to work for pay.

What Work Incentives Benefits Specialists provide is the basis for an informed choice as to whether to go to work, and at what level. They give consumers the information they need so that they can "work smart", knowing what benefits will be affected, and by how much, at various levels of earnings. And a growing body of evidence shows that this information is associated with increased levels of work and earnings.

If you would like copies of the brochure, or have other questions, please contact me at keith.heimforth@dhs.wisconsin.gov or 608-264-9868.

What is a Caregiver and Criminal Background Check?

The IRIS Financial Services Agency conducts Caregiver and Criminal Background Checks on the workers you choose to hire. These background checks determine if the person you want to employ can be hired as a caregiver. Please note that you cannot hire your worker before you receive approval from the Financial Services Agency. They are unable to process time sheets and pay workers who have not cleared the background check process.

If the background check is clear, you will receive a letter from the Financial Services Agency letting you know that your worker can be hired.

You will also receive a letter if the worker committed a criminal offense that prevents them from working as a caregiver. The Department of Health Services has list of offenses entitled "Permanent Bar from Employment as a Caregiver". If someone is disqualified for committing a crime on this list, there are no appeal rights.

If the worker committed an offense that does not immediately disqualify them, the IRIS program will review the background check results to determine if the person can be hired to provide the services you need. If the worker can be hired, the Financial Services Agency will send you a letter informing you of the decision. If the worker cannot be hired, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Department of Health Services.

Additional information about Caregiver and Criminal Background Checks will soon be sent to you by mail.

If you have questions regarding caregiver background checks, please contact the IRIS Information Center by phone at 1-888-515-4747 or by email at info@Wisconsin-IRIS.com.

In Control
In Control is an international movement that was started in the United Kingdom when the British government decided to give everyone with disabilities (who need extra support) their own individualized budget. It's about people's shared interest locally and across the globe to promote and strengthen systems of self-directed supports (SDS) that value people with disabilities as fully included, contributing citizens of their communities.

Last year, In Control Wisconsin was founded to work for changes in our state so citizens with disabilities, of any age or need for support, can self-direct their support. To do this, In Control Wisconsin is involved in a number of activities designed to give people information and improve systems for self-directed support. Some of these activities include:

• Consulting with the Department of Health Services and the IRIS program on improvements that will support participants to achieve their employment outcomes;
• Implementing projects and creating learning with the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities for self-directed employment planning, building circles of support, and individualized budgeting;
• Providing coordination and leadership to the Supported Living movement in Wisconsin;
• Sharing as much information as possible about Self-Directed Supports and supporting the work and development of peer and family networks across the state; and
• Helping out with the annual Self-Determination Conference.

In Control Wisconsin, Inc. was established as a place of critical inquiry, shared learning, action, and reflection. The In Control Wisconsin Board of Directors is comprised of people from IRIS, Family Care, County Waiver Programs, Disability Rights Wisconsin, provider agencies, and people with disabilities and their family members. For more information, visit www.incontrolwisconsin.org.



In Control Wisconsin
P.O. Box 1723
Madison, WI 53701
(608) 712-2212
contact-us@incontrolwisconsin.org

Riverfront, Inc.

Founded in 1977, Riverfront is a private, non-profit organization that provides comprehensive support to more than 1,700 adults with disabilities in work, community life, and benefit optimization. We provide tailored vocational and independent living support to help people with disabilities maximize their independence, secure employment, and become more active in their community. With 315 staff members and six office locations – Alma, Black River Falls, Janesville, La Crosse, Mondovi, and Tomah – Riverfront offers a variety of services to individuals and families in 38 counties throughout northern, western, and southern Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota. Riverfront's mission is to provide a continuum of innovative support for individuals with disabilities so they may live meaningful lives.

For more information about this service provider, contact:



Riverfront, Inc.
3000 South Avenue
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-9450
(608) 784-0039 [TDD]
info@riverfrontinc.org

Balancing the Medicaid Budget

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith and Deputy Secretary Kitty Rhoades held several town hall meetings in Wisconsin during the months of March and April. The meetings took place in Green Bay, Eau Claire, Fennimore, and Milwaukee. Consumers, providers, and community members came from all around the state to offer thoughts and suggestions on finding efficiencies and cost savings in Wisconsin's Medical Assistance programs.

"Despite a historic 23 percent increase to the Department's budget, Wisconsin's Medicaid program still faces a serious fiscal challenge over the next two years as we identify over $500 million in cost savings. To meet our goals and balance the Medicaid budget, we have to find ways to be more efficient and cut costs," said Secretary Smith.

The Department of Health Services would like to continue to hear from the public. If you have ideas you would like to share, please submit your comments online at http://bit.ly/dInAXp.