The Arc Wisconsin Autumn Newsletter
You Might be a Caregiver If…
How would you fill in the blank? The Arc Wisconsin has been talking to families and caregivers across the state over the last several months and one thing is clear: caregiving is hard and rewarding at the same time. A survey of family members caring for a member with disabilities released this summer showed 98% reported difficulties finding respite care and 95% couldn’t find paid help. Nearly all say they are stressed out. What can you do? Join us this November for caregiver events and a fun Meme Challenge! Learn more here .
Is an ABLE Account Right for You? 
Wisconsin residents with disabilities and their families have been able to benefit from ABLE savings accounts since 2016, still very few people know about this valuable tool and the number of people opening accounts is much lower than expected. As of 1 st Quarter 2018 there were 20,653 accounts with $98.6 million in assets invested nationally. These ABLE Accounts are being used to benefit the lives of individuals with disabilities. Is an ABLE account right for you? Read our guest article by Crescendo Wealth Management Financial Advisor Kathleen Oberneder.
We Want to Know What’s Most Important to You: Public Policy Update 
The Arc Wisconsin is the state’s leading public policy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Following the November elections, attention will be turned to what will be funded in our next state budget. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and workers in the disability service system can be affected significantly by what is or is not in the budget. Please take 5 minutes to provide feedback to The Arc Wisconsin on issues that are important to you to help guide our advocacy in the state capitol, with state agencies and in Congress. Thank you!
Reason to Celebrate: Living Well
Earlier this month Wisconsin heard from the Administration on Community Living that we were awarded a five-year, $2.1 million Living Well grant designed to improve home and community-based services like those provided in Family Care and IRIS. The Arc Wisconsin will work with the lead agency the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and receive funds to lead public policy changes and expand our future planning work with families. Stay tuned for more on this exciting initiative!
Wear your Advocacy Proudly!
The new office of The Arc Wisconsin was launched nearly two years ago, and we have accomplished amazing things so far. We could use your help to do even more! From fighting to protect Medicaid and successfully advocating for community employment supports to sharing invaluable future planning information with Wisconsin families statewide, we are making a difference. Please join us . Receive a limited edition of The Arc’s Disability Rights are Human Rights tote bag when you give monthly. 
Together, with your support, we are building a better, more equal Wisconsin and world for people with disabilities.