WisconSibs is hosting an event for
- family members who provide care to other family members (of any age or disability),
- individuals receiving care, and
- professionals providing services to caregivers.
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 DHSFCWebmail@wisconsin.gov. 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:
- Send an action alert to your networks and encourage them to attend the public hearings
- Contact your state legislators and members of the Joint Finance Committee and ask them to attend the hearings (see information on how to contact them below)
- Attend one or more of the hearings and submit comments!
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.
- Phone. You may leave a message for your legislator’s Capitol office or indicate your position on legislation through the toll free Legislative Hotline, at 1-800-362-9472.
- E-mail. The e-mail addresses of members of the Wisconsin Legislature all have the same format. For members of the Assembly, the form is Rep.Jones@legis.wisconsin.gov; for members of the Senate, the form is Sen.Adams@legis.wisconsin.gov.
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
