The Messenger
A Newsletter From The Arc-Dane County
Supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 65 years

June 18, 2019
The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.

~Richard Bach  
Contact Your Legislators to Support Our I/DD Community 
Join The Arc-Dane County as a member of the Survival Coalition's efforts to let legislators know that "People can't wait" for critical disability support.
Today is day one! Join again tomorrow, 6/19, and Thursday, 6/20. 
Call your assembly Representative and state Senator and ask them to keep critical supports and programs affecting people with disabilities in the budget. 

The Joint Finance Committee has finished its work; the state budget must now be approved or amended further by the full State Senate and State Assembly, with votes tentatively scheduled for the week of June 24. 
 
You can use the Legislative Hotline (1-800-362-9472) to connect directly with your state Senator and State Representative. For a full directory of state legislators, click here.
 
Click this link for a list of important disability programs that need to stay in the budget:   Keep It In . Feel free to use this graphic on your social media and share with your networks. 


Let The Arc-Dane County Know What You Need

Please tell The Arc-Dane County what it would take for you to be more involved in advocacy that affects your loved one, and everyone else who cares about individuals with an intellectual disability in Dane County. Tell us what it would take to get you more involved. Contact The Arc-Dane County office at: [email protected]. 

 


Meet Your Arc-Dane County Board: Meghan Teigen and Cheryl Lytle
Meghan Teigen 
My name is Meghan Teigen and I am so pleased to be a new member of the Board of Directors for The Arc-Dane County. I am a partner with the law firm Johnson Teigen, LLC (formally Christenson Johnson, LLC). We are an estate planning and special needs planning law firm in Fitchburg. I am very proud that one of my firm's specialty practice areas is special needs planning- which means that we specialize in working with individuals with disabilities who need to do their own planning, typically in consideration of their public benefits eligibility, as well as working with families who need assistance with the unique issues related to planning for the long-term support of a loved one with a disability. I have worked in the field of special needs planning for many years and I am so happy to work with The Arc-Dane County, as they provide such great service to so many of my clients.
 
Prior to going into private practice, I worked as an attorney with two Madison based non-profits that provide legal services across Wisconsin to individuals with disabilities and older adults.  The  Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR), and Wispact, Inc. b oth gave me great knowledge of public benefits and long-term care planning possibilities. I am extremely happy with my move to private practice, as I can now directly help individuals and families meet their long-term goals. I love meeting with a family and discussing their goals for their loved one, and working with them to make sure the proper legal documents are in place to make that goal a reality.
 
I live in Fitchburg with my husband and children, who keep us very busy! I am a big Badger fan and I love working, living, and raising my family in Dane County. I am very pleased to be a new Board member, and I very much look forward to helping the Arc-Dane County continue to grow and fulfill its Mission.

Cheryl Lytle
Cheryl Lytle has served on the board of directors for The Arc-Dane County since May 2015. She got involved with Arc-Dane County through her good friend, John Leemkuil, who served on the board for many years. At that time, the board was working on their succession plan and invited her to participate in a few events before inviting her to serve on the board.
Lytle currently serves as the Events Director for the Wisconsin Grocers Association, as well as the Administrative Assistant for the Water Quality Association of Wisconsin. These two positions keep her busy but her efforts for The Arc-Dane County give her a lot of pride to help people with special needs and strengthening Dane County.
"I enjoy the Arc's dance events the most because I've been able to meet new people and establish friendships", Lytle remarked. "I love the fruit sales committee for the same reason, plus we raise funds for the Arc AND enjoy the citrus in the early spring." Many volunteers are needed for the fruit sale and Lytle encourages others to find out how to get involved.
She also coordinates the Arc-Dane County's Awards Banquet in April which recognizes individuals going above and beyond for people with special needs in the community. "It's all about the acceptance speeches from the honorees, it's touching to learn a little about folks and appreciate all they contribute." Lytle says nominations for The Arc-Dane County awards will open in the Fall of 2019 for the 2020 Awards Banquet and she would like to encourage folks to nominate someone who makes a difference in the life of someone with intellectual or developmental disabilities.


In This Issue
Upcoming  Events
The Arc National Events
July 22 - 24, 2019
Charleston, SC

The Arc's National Convention
October 11 - 14, 2019
Washington, DC

March 23 - 25, 2020
Washington, DC 

The Arc-Dane County  Events
Arc-Dane County Halloween Dance October 27, 2019 

Save the date and start planning your costume! On October 27, The Arc-Dane County will once again be hosting its annual Halloween dance. 
Accessible Fishing Weekend July 13-14, 2019

This year's annual fishing weekend for people with disabilities is July 13 & 14, 2019 at Governor Nelson State Park on Lake Mendota in Madison, WI. This is the program's 25th year anniversary, and sure to be a huge celebration!
 
We still have availability for individuals with disabilities who are interested in fishing! We can take up to 100 participants. No age or ability restriction, all are welcome!  Attached here is the PDF packet to sign up. To learn more about the event agenda,  click here. 
 
Hope to see you there!

fishing-pole-handles.jpg
State and Federal  News
State News 

Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes Travels Wisconsin to Hear ADRC Concerns

On Monday  the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin (ADRC-CW)  held a round table discussion with Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes about how their work supports the needs of the community.
According to Wisconsin Public Radio, state health officials estimate the number of residents 65 and older will increase from 14% to 24% over a 30-year span, starting in 2010.  Organizations like the ADRC are working to support those people, as well as adults who live with a disability.
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes applauded their work. He said he wants to make sure as a state, there are resources available to help people in that demographic. He said the Joint Finance Committee removed some provisions in the state budget from programs that could have benefited seniors. 

Protection For The Intellectually Disabled

A new bill aimed to increase protections for the I/DD members of our communities by giving an explicit right to patients and their caregivers to request staff members of a specific sex if they feel it is needed. The purpose of this bill is address the terrible fact that I/DD people are 7 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than those who are not I/DD. The bill seeks to prevent horrible events similar to those that have been uncovered in recent times of sexual abuse toward I/DD patients. The bill will move forward in the legislature sometime later this summer. If you want to learn more about this bill, you can read the co-sponsorship memo here.


Call your legislators to "keep it in"! 
The Joint Finance Committee, the GOP led group tasked with amending the Governor's proposed budget approved a plan to pump $588.2 million in general purpose revenue into the Medicaid program, pushing up reimbursement rates for hospitals, nursing homes and personal care workers.
The investment of state tax dollars would mean an additional $858.4 million in federal funds that would help cover costs of the joint state-federal Medicaid program.
Democratic members of the committee slammed the GOP proposal as inadequate because it didn't embrace the Governor's call to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. They pointed out that approach would have saved the state $324 million in general purpose revenue while resulting in an additional $1.6 billion investment in health programs. Still, t he GOP motion cleared 11-4 along party lines.

Have a Program Idea You Think is a Good One? Hosting or Attending an Event We Should Know About?
Thinking of a way The Arc-Dane County can better serve its members? Is your group doing something other parents and guardians should know about? Tell us! Send us a link, send us a flyer, send us the information and we'll help you get the word out to others who could benefit. Let us know at [email protected].

Are You a Member Yet?
Your membership in The Arc-Dane County helps us continue to offer up to date advocacy, education, and social activities.


The Arc-Dane County | (608) 833-1199
402 Gammon Place, Suite 360 | Madison, WI 53719

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