December 2019 Wisconsin Newsletter
Happy Holiday Season From The Arc Wisconsin!
The Arc Wisconsin has had a productive 2019, as we’ve helped people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families advocate for necessary change. We hope you are celebrating a successful year as well.
Here are a few of our accomplishments together:

  • Establishment of the Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving to address the caregiver crisis
  • Introduction of seclusion and restraint legislation to protect kids in schools
  • Passage of a historic increase in funding for direct care workers in the state budget
  • And much more!

Now is a good time to reflect on the important work of The Arc Wisconsin and the need to keep advocating for disability rights. Let’s keep working together in 2020! You can support our work by making an end-of-year donation .
Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving Is in Full Swing: Learn What You Can Do
The Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving, which The Arc Wisconsin leads, is already moving toward recommendations to support family caregivers and attract and retain folks in the paid direct care workforce. Did you know that in Wisconsin 578,000 caregivers provide more than 538 million hours of unpaid care valued at over $7 billion each year? Also, the number of direct care workers required to meet the needs of Wisconsin residents is expected to increase by 20,000 in 2026.
 
The goal of the Task Force on Caregiving is to have draft recommendations ready by May 2020 and final recommendations on the Governor’s desk by September. Sign up here for task force updates.
 
Want ideas about other ways to support the task force? Check out this handy guide .
 
You can also listen to this Wisconsin Public Radio interview featuring The Arc Wisconsin talking about the task force or watch this interview featured on WFRV-TV.
Start January off by Making Sure Candidates Know Your Priorities: Win a Party Prize!
The Arc Wisconsin is glad to promote Elected for Inclusion , a national nonpartisan presidential forum on disability issues, presented by The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and REV UP Texas. This important discussion, with invited presidential candidates, will take place on January 13, 2020 in advance of Super Tuesday and the November 2020 elections. It will be the first and only forum where candidates will be asked directly about important disability issues.

The Arc is encouraging folks to host watch parties and has developed a great toolkit to help you get started with your planning.
Here are three quick steps:

  1. Register your event here by December 16. Five watch parties will be randomly chosen to win a $100 Visa gift card to help pay for party supplies, like food and drinks! (No purchase necessary.)
  2. Download your watch party toolkit to get tips on what to do before, during, and after your watch party. The toolkit includes marketing materials, a bingo game, signs to make, and more!
  3. Post pictures at your party and tag The Arc of The United States and The Arc Wisconsin on Facebook (TheArcWisconsin, TheArcUS) and Twitter (@thearcus).
We’ve Been Busy Advocating; How About You?
Here are some photos of The Arc Wisconsin’s recent visits with the Governor’s office and People First Wisconsin ; with DHS Secretary Andrea Palm in people’s homes – sharing about Family Care and IRIS; and speaking about supporting families at the UW-Madison Thompson Center on Public Policy leadership .
Seclusion and Restraint Legislation Moving
Wisconsin has a law on the books to prevent inappropriate seclusion and restraint of students, but there is need for improvement. Unfortunately, most seclusion and restraint in Wisconsin schools is happening to children with disabilities. A new law would ensure parents receive a written report when restraint or seclusion happens to their child and that staff are trained in de-escalation techniques that prevent it from ever happening.

Learn more here , including what you can do to make sure this bill passes!
Learn More About How Technology Can Improve Your Life
The Arc Wisconsin is a proud partner with Night Owl Support Systems , a Wisconsin provider of in-home supports to people with I/DD with the use of remote support technologies. The Arc Wisconsin recently participated alongside Night Owl at Tech Fest in Wisconsin Dells, a showcase of the latest technology innovations that are improving people’s quality of life and reducing costs. Learn more about Night Owl here .