The July-September 2023 issue includes:
Click to download SIBNEWS NOW
This issue was written and designed by our Sibling Summer Interns, Zoe and Randy. Get to know them, along with our new Youth Coordinator on page 4. CLICK TO READ NOW
NOTE: This issue does not contain our usual Calendar of Events. Continue to watch for website, Facebook, and email announcements to get the latest updates.
More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one. Family caregivers are the foundation of long-term care nationwide, exceeding Medicaid long-term care spending in all states. National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare. March 2009
While most siblings don’t think of themselves as caregivers for their sisters and brothers with disabilities, it is one of the many roles they play, whether they are children or adults. Sisters especially play a huge role throughout their lives in providing care, companionship, and other needs of their siblings with disabilities, sometimes even from long distance.
“My sister doesn’t live with me but we have a routine that every night I call her and read her a story,” explained Barb Wentzel in a recent Sibling Panel discussion.
Siblings also recognize and value the need for paid caregivers to provide respite for their parents who may be doing the bulk of the caregiving. “It is important that parents receive respite care so they are able to pursue things that are important to them and spend time with their other children.” stated Christiana Yablonowski in her recent Sibling’s Choice nomination to honor Todd Steven & Associates for providing care and community support for her brother. READ MORE ABOUT SIBLING’S CHOICE AWARD WINNERS
WisconSibs, Inc. is a member of the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA) dedicated to the needs of caregivers and advocating for them.
Did you know? (facts identified in a recent survey of WI family caregivers conducted by WFACSA)
Learn more at http://wisconsincaregiver.org/alliance
Earlier this year WI Governor Tony Evers has set up a special Caregiving Task Force to identify ways WI caregivers can be better supported. See his recent proclamation.
Wisconsin Family Caregivers!
We celebrate you. We thank you, especially the often overlooked life-long role siblings
play in the care and nurturing of their siblings with disabilities.
Making up a significant portion of those caregivers are siblings caring for their aging parents AND their siblings with disabilities, often while caring for their own growing children!
To recognize the care providers, both paid and unpaid, who provide personal cares of all types to people with disabilities, older adults and other family members and friends who require support to remain healthy and living in their homes and communities, we celebrate National Caregiver Day on February 15, 2019 (3rd Friday of February).
Many of the siblings, usually sisters, caring for family members are also employees and often challenged to juggle the needs of their family members with job requirements. Often they must choose to either remain employed or leave to care for their family. Employers are feeling the effects.
Wisconsin employers recently confirmed the impact of caregiving on the Wisconsin workforce in a survey sponsored by the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA). WisconSibs is an active member of WFACSA.
[1] National Center on Caregiving https://www.caregiver.org/caregiving-across-states-50-state-profiles-2014
February 9, 2019 – 2-4 pm – YMCA, Kimberly
March 3, 2019 – 1:30 – 3:30 pm – Old 45 Archery, Hortonville – note – SPA Sibshop
April 11-13, 2019 – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
May 2-3, 2019 – Circles of Life Conference Sibshop Form
NEW! – June 20-23, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 9 plus in TENTS, Door County
July 22-26, 2019 – SibDays of Summer for ages 6-12, Plamann Park
August 8-11, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 9-11 in YURTS, Door County
August 15-18, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 12 – 16 in YURTS, Door County
February 9, 2019 – WisconSibs Facilitator Training – Appleton
April 12-13, 2019 – Leadership trip – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
June 13, 2019 – Teen Sib Leadership Day – Beaming, Neenah
July 22-26, 2019 – SibDays of Summer for Teen Sib Leaders, Plamann Park
March 8, 2019 – Vegas Madness – Timber Rattler’s Fox Club, Appleton
October 22, 2019 – Celebrate Sisterhood – Red Lion Hotel, Appleton
February 7, 2019 – Dementia in Persons with IDD, Appleton
February 9, 2019 – WisconSibs Facilitator Training, Appleton
March 9, 2019 – K.I.T.E. Conference, Appleton
March 20, 2019 – Disability Advocacy Day, Madison
April 11-13, 2019 – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
May 2-3, 2019 – Circles of Life Conference, Stevens Point Sibshop Registration Form
January 10, 2019 – TOP 10 THINGS SIBS WANT YOU TO KNOW,Kaukauna
March 1-31, 2019 – Sibs Are My Peeps photo contest- open to all individuals and groups
April 6, 2019 – Fox Cities KIDZ EXPO – WisconSibs Sibling’s Day Celebration, Appleton
Parents, adult siblings and other family members will want to get informed about this new option in Wisconsin.
Plan to attend:
Decision-Making Support Options: Guardianship, Supported Decision-Making and More
July 18 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Mad Apple (3025 W College Ave) in Appleton
Sponsored by SOAR Fox Cities and WisconSibs, Inc.
Registration requested. Contact either
[email protected] 920-731-9831 – or-
[email protected] 920-968-1742
Supported decision-making is a process now formally recognized in Wisconsin state law that provides an alternative to guardianship and will be a helpful tool for many Wisconsin residents. Supported Decision-Making can allow older adults and people with disabilities to retain their authority to make life decisions, while also having trusted people provide support. Attend this presentation to learn what the new law does and how you might use it in your life or to support a family member. Kristine Williams, attorney with Remley & Sensenbrenner, and WisconSibs board member will provide information and answer questions.
Download flyer : HERE
Download the Alternatives to Guardianship booklet: HERE
WisconSibs is hosting an event for
This is a great opportunity to get information that will help you as a caregiver and voice your thoughts on what you need.
You will hear other caregivers, along with local professionals, discuss their experiences as care givers and what they have learned that could be helpful to others. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Two sessions are being offered: 1:30-3:00 pm and 4:30-6:00 pm
The April-May-June issue of SibNews is now available.
We’re very excited to bring you the third issue of our new SibNews newsletter. This one features Sylvia Walentowski and her mom, Jennifer, on finding balance and healthy sibling relationships.
Plus a Easy Daisy Cake recipe from WisconSib Christiana Redman and her brother Phillip, just in time for Sibling’s Day or Mother’s Day, or any day. YUM! Take me to recipe
Siblings and other family members: This is YOUR opportunity to make your voice heard! Check it out…
URGENT ALERT: Department of Health Services (DHS) to Hold First Public Hearing on New Long-term Care System (Family Care/IRIS) September 9 in Green Bay!
On Wednesday, September 9, the Department of Health Services will hold the first of 8 public hearings on the long-term care system redesign at the Brown County Public Library (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, 515 Pine Street Green Bay, WI 54301). While we are encouraged by DHS’s decision to hold public hearings around the state, we are very concerned that the new system will not preserve key elements of the current Family Care and IRIS programs.
This is your chance to tell DHS what types of supports are important to you and your family! We need to have a big turnout at every public hearing to make sure the new long-term care program is good for people with disabilities and older adults. You can also email written comments to DHS at [email protected]. For more information on how to submit comments to DHS, visit their website.
If you are unable to attend, join the live stream webcast http://livestream.com/DHSWebcast/events/4314065.
The LTC 8 Core Principles created by Wisconsin Long-term Care Coalition are talking points about what needs to be included in the new system.
Here is what you can do to help:
Need a reminder of what types of changes are being made to Family Care and IRIS? Here is a summary: Frequently Asked Questions document created by the Survival Coalition.
HOW DO I CONTACT MY LEGISLATOR?
The first step in contacting your legislator is knowing who your legislator is. The easiest way to do this is the tool found on the Legislature’s home page, athttp://legis.wisconsin.gov. In the right-hand side of that page is a link that says Find My Legislators! Type your address in the box below that link to get the names of your state representative and senator.
Survival Coalition’s Summary of the 2015-17 State Budget:
People with disabilities, their families and advocates across Wisconsin have spent the last several months testifying at hearings, making phone calls, and sending messages to legislators, sharing their ideas for improving the lives of people with disabilities by engaging in the state budget process. The Survival Coalition of more than 30 disability organizations in Wisconsin has assembled the following summary of the state budget’s impact on the disability community.
It includes an assessment of the impact on the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and allies across a series of issues areas. Check it out:
http://www.survivalcoalitionwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Survival-Budget-Summary-2015.pdf