The Arc Wisconsin Newsletter
New Year Politics: Time to Get to Work!
The new year is starting off with a bang in Madison with the inauguration of a new governor and the swearing in of our state senators and assembly representatives. The Arc Wisconsin’s director, Lisa Pugh, was appointed to Governor Evers’ Next Generation Workforce and Economic Development Policy Advisory Council to provide recommendations on issues related to the state’s workforce, including employment of people with disabilities and the direct care workforce crisis.

Things you should know:

  • The new governor has issued several executive orders, one of which directs the Department of Health Services to address health care workforce issues and health disparities.
  • The Legislature has named new committees. Look for your legislator’s name at the following links: Assembly Committees; Senate Committees.
  • The new Assembly Committee on Labor and Integrated Employment was created by the lead author of Wisconsin’s Employment First Law and could impact people with disabilities.
  • State budget season should heat up beginning in February. Keep an eye out for future communications from The Arc Wisconsin and visit our website regularly to learn about hearings and training opportunities in your area. 
Save the Date!
Disability Advocacy Day - March 20
Plan to attend at the State Capitol in Madison. Registration opens February 1.

Wisconsin Employment First Conference - May 15
This conference will take place in Wisconsin Dells and will be the site of our statewide meeting of The Arc Wisconsin. Registration is coming soon!
Training and Learning Opportunities Coming Soon
We are kicking off our 2019 webinar series with two hot topics that you won’t want to miss!

Self-Direction in Managed Care: More Control to Improve Your Life

January 29, 6:30 p.m. Central time

Join The Arc Wisconsin and My Choice Family Care to hear stories of self-direction in managed care. How can you use self-direction to improve your life and meet your goals? How is self-direction in managed care different from self-direction under the IRIS program?
Tackling the Big Obstacles: One Disability Service Provider’s Transformation Success Story

February 13, 3:00 p.m. Central time

Learn how ACHIEVA, a provider in The Arc network in Pennsylvania, has taken steps to move their vocational supports model away from a congregate, facility-based approach to a truly person-centered way of providing supports that promotes competitive employment opportunities and/or inclusive community experiences for people with disabilities.
The Direct Care Workforce Crisis Is Getting Worse
Did you know that an estimated 95% of people with disabilities in Wisconsin have trouble finding direct care workers to fill the approved hours of service in their service plans? Many providers cannot recruit and retain qualified staff and turnover is as high as 50%. 

The Arc Wisconsin continues to work in coalition with other disability and aging groups to find solutions to the Direct Care Workforce Crisis. Want to learn more? Attend this community event in Milwaukee on January 23. 
Future Planning Continues to Change Lives
Our November future planning trainings in Milwaukee are complete, but we are hearing how the professionals and families who attended continue to reap benefits. Of the 23 Spanish-speaking participants who completed a post-training survey, about 95.7% said they are likely to set higher expectations for their own child. Of the 19 professionals who completed a post-training survey, 100% said they increased their ability to use strategies to engage families in future planning. View all of the training results . 
THANK YOU and Happy New Year!

We want to thank those of you who made generous contributions to our end-of-year campaign. Your generosity continues to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout Wisconsin.