The Messenger
A Newsletter From The Arc Dane County
Supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 65 years
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Someone's sitting in the shade today
because someone
planted a tree a long time ago.
~ Warren Buffett
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What's Happening at The Arc Dane County
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Join Best Buddies UW Madison Chapter
Disability Awareness Month -Friendship Walk
Friday, April 27th, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Inner Square of Capitol Building
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the number one walk in the country raising awareness and funds to
support inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). When you walk with
us, you can also expect to dance, laugh, smile and make a new friend!
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Family Care/IRIS Transition
Make your Case for Continuing Supported Employment
Supported Employment for people with disabilities means choosing which paid community job they want
to pursue and where, working with a variety of people, receiving comparable pay to other employees; all with the individual receiving ongoing support needed to sustain their job choice (such as a job coach and vocational agency). The value in this opportunity for integration is immeasurable.
Click here for a worksheet that will help you make your case.
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2018 Everybody's Golf Tourney - Save the Date
The Arc Dane County and our volunteer planning committee are busy working out details and fun for this year's golf outing. Online registration and additional information will be available soon. In the meantime, we are so excited, we hope you will SAVE THE DATE!
The 2018 Everybody's Golf Tourney
Friday, September 14th
The Meadows of Sixmile Creek, Waunakee
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2018 Spring Ball
Oh What Fun We Had!
Even an April snowstorm couldn't keep everyone away from the 2018 Spring Ball. With a lot of dancing and friendly faces, this year's Spring Ball was a great success. We did miss our friends who couldn't be there because of the weather. But, safety is important and we can't wait to see you back at the 2018 Halloween Dance. A special thank you to all of our volunteers who made the afternoon inclusive and fun.
An extra big thank you to our partners. This event would not be possible without you!
- Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor's Club
- DJ Tim Wing with Skyway Productions
- Photographer was Debbie Borth of Camera Kisses
- READI Volunteers
- Photos Courtesy of Peggy Leemkuil
Click here to see the photos.
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#MeToo Includes People with Disabilities
With sexual assault of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) getting much more media attention following NPR's series, Abused and Betrayed, The Arc has been working tirelessly to get people with I/DD involved in the #MeToo movement. Similarly, 1in6, a national nonprofit organization supporting men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault, is focused on sharing the stories of male survivors of sexual assault.
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM) 1in6 released a PSA sharing the powerful stories of male victims of sexual assault. The PSA features James Meadours, an advocate with I/DD from The Arc's network who shares his story of sexual assault. Take a few minutes and watch this powerful PSA. You can also read a blog by James Meadours and Leigh Ann Davis, Director of Justice Initiatives for The Arc about why people with I/DD must be included in the #MeToo movement.
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Your Voice Counts - Mark Your Calendar to Vote
- Fall Primary Election: August 14, 2018
Early voting: July 30 - August 10
- Fall General Election: November 6, 2018
Early voting: September 24 - November 2
Can you vote? You must:
- Be at least 18 years of age (you can register early as long as you will be 18 on the date of the election)
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have resided at your current address for at least 28 days prior to the election
- If you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed your sentence and no longer be under supervision
Registration:
You can register online, or check if you are registered, here. Version en español.
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Examples of potential caregiver misconduct or violation of resident rights via handheld devices:
- Posting a photo or video to Facebook that includes personal and identifying characteristics of a resident.
- Sending or posting a photo on Snapchat or Instagram that includes any parts of a resident's body.
- Having an image or video of a resident on your Snapchat storage or on your camera storage without the resident's written consent or knowledge.
- Taking a video or photo on your phone of another employee mistreating or degrading a resident and not reporting it to your direct supervisor.
In an effort to improve awareness regarding resident rights and caregiver misconduct in Wisconsin nursing homes, OCQ proposed a social media awareness project and received a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement an awareness campaign targeted at preventing the misuse of handheld devices by caregivers. Click here to read more.
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Gov. Scott Walker has signed a package of welfare overhaul bills into law, including several that will affect Medicaid (Source: Wispolitics)
The bills revamp several of the state's public assistance programs by requiring beneficiaries to work or volunteer a set amount of hours to receive benefits. Walker argues the state leads the nation on welfare reform with the passage of the package.
"We believe welfare should be more like a trampoline and less like a hammock," Walker said in a statement, repeating a mantra used throughout its legislative process. "Our Wisconsin Works for Everyone welfare reform bills ensure help to those who truly need it, while providing the training and assistance they need to re-enter the workforce and regain independence."
The policies, championed by conservatives across the nation, have received swift condemnation from state and national Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling said the bills would make it harder for needy families to access and job opportunities and food.
"While Gov. Walker spends millions of taxpayer dollars making it harder for working families to put food on the table, Wisconsin communities continue to struggle with crumbling roads, education cuts and stagnant wages," she said in a statement. "Once again, Republicans are sticking it to working families, seniors and people with disabilities in order to fund massive tax giveaways to wealthy special interests and out-of-state corporations."
The health-related bills Walker signed will:
- require child support compliance for those receiving Medicaid;
- and require DHS to request a waiver for the federal government to create a savings program, similar to a health savings account, in the Medicaid program.
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On Monday, April 16th, 2018, Governor Walker signed two bills into law that are of interest to individuals with IDD/DD
Act 345 makes "Supported Decision making" a legal term that will allow older adults and people with disabilities to have the final say in decisions that affect their life while having the help they need from the support network and professionals they interact with and trust. It does not replace guardianship but in some cases an individual only needs limited guardianship or a combination of other legal documents like power of attorney, to help them. This is a step forward for individual with disabilities Wisconsin.
Act 323 gives the Wisconsin Board for with Developmental Disabilities a $225,000 grant from the state to expand a successful employment model from Dane County to statewide Model by the end of 2019. In Dane County, 70 percent of individuals with a disability, who want to work, are able to find employment. The statewide average in other counties is 10 percent. Under this new law the "Partner with Business Disability Model" will reduce the need to employ outside job coaches and instead work from within the business by using existing coworkers to support the disabled individual. Pilot projects show the cost savings per individual was about $11,000. The belief is that both business and managed care organization (MCO's) will work together to develop the infrastructure needed to employee individuals with disabilities who want to work in the community.
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Your membership in The Arc Dane County helps us continue to offer up to date advocacy, education, and social activities.
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The Arc Dane County | (608) 833-1199
6602 Grand Teton Plaza | Madison, WI 53719
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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