disabilityrights WISCONSIN

Disability Rights Wisconsin has worked with other Survival Coalition partners to develop the following summary of the state biennial budget outlining implications for individuals with disabilities: Summary of Joint Finance Committee Action on Disability Issues in the State Budget 2013-15. The budget is not yet complete. The Assembly and Senate must still pass and consider amendments to this proposal.

As you know, the Joint Finance Committee cast their final votes on the budget on Wednesday, June 5. Survival Coalition and Disability Rights Wisconsin submitted several papers and recommendations on various issues. You can find some of those papers here: http://www.survivalcoalitionwi.org/index.php/2013/updates/survival-recommendations-for-jfb-budget/.

The budget now moves to the Assembly floor for a vote the week of June 17. After the Assembly takes action on the budget, it moves to the Senate – anticipated for the week of June 24^th. The Governor also then has the opportunity to make line item vetoes.

Please look for upcoming action alerts from DRW and the Survival Coalition. If you have questions, please contact Lisa Pugh, Public Policy Coordinator at Lisa.Pugh@drwi.org.

We need volunteer counselors for our Disability Drug Benefit Helpline. Flexible schedules available but volunteers should be available October 15 – December 7, 2013. Basic computer, Internet and telephone skills helpful; a willingness to make a difference in the lives of others a MUST. Want to learn more? Contact Ginger by email at ginger.rogers@drwi.org or by phone at 414-773-4646 ext. 23.

Emotions into Art: Wisconsin’s Children and Youth Show Us Why Their Feelings Matter

Using bright colors, meaningful words and intentional depictions, over 200 children and youth in Wisconsin illustrated their thoughts on why “My Feelings Matter” to raise awareness about children’s mental health. The public voted for the top posters and fifteen children and youth Pre-K through 12^th grade from throughout Wisconsin have been recognized for their art. The children were presented with their awards on Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on Thursday, May 9 at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison.

Secretary Kitty Rhoades from the Department of Health Services and State Assistant Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor from the Department of Public Instruction recognized the award winners and spoke about the importance of awareness of children’s mental health.  In addition, local youth groups, including African Drumming by O’Keeffe Middle School students, Spoken Word by Whitehorse Middle students and Girl Power dancers from Vera Court Neighborhood Center, performed for the event.
Click here to read the rest of WISCONSIN YOUTH RECOGNIZED FOR UNIQUE ARTWORK TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH »

Disability Rights Wisconsin is pleased that the US Department of Justice confirms what we’ve been hearing about rampant discrimination against students with disabilities in Wisconsin’s Choice program, and will be taking immediate strong action.

Click here to view the letter to DPI from the US Department of Justice.

Click here to view the press release.

At this year’s Circles of Life Conference, Lisa Pugh, Public Policy Coordinator for Wisconsin’s Disability Policy Partnership, received the Elliott Shaw Distinguished Professional Award. This award is given to a professional or professional group who have “gone the extra mile to provide quality services and programs for people with developmental and related disabilities and their families.” Lisa certainly fits that description. Congratulations, Lisa!

PAIMI PUBLIC INPUT

We Want to Hear from You!

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) PROGRAM

On Tuesday, June 18 – Thursday, June 20, 2013, representatives from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) will visit the Madison office of Disability Rights Wisconsin, the state’s designated protection and advocacy agency for persons with mental illness.

SAMHSA/CMHS invites you to send written comments about the PAIMI Program services and activities conducted by Disability Rights Wisconsin.

Please send your comments to SAMHSA/CMHS by e-mail to: PAIMI@samhsa.hhs.gov or mail – ATTENTION of : The PAIMI Program Coordinator, SAMHSA/CMHS, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 2-1105, Rockville, Maryland 20857.

Congratulations to DRW Milwaukee Office Director, Barbara Beckert, who will receive an “In Search of Excellence Award” from the Wisconsin Family Based Services Association at their conference in the Dells on May 2. She was recognized for her leadership in a variety of ways re: persons with disabilities, including her work on county and state budgets and policy advocacy, and her demonstrated commitment to partnering with persons with disabilities in advocating for positive policy and program changes both in Milwaukee county and statewide.

Disability Rights Wisconsin has been working with the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Waisman Center through Wisconsin’s Disability Policy Partnership to create a series of policy papers on issues important to people with disabilities. You can use these papers in discussions about issues and give them to others, including your legislator. Keep checking back for more valuable information on these and other issues as well as opportunities to influence decisions in this biennial budget. Find all six policy papers packaged together here:

• Medicaid & Healthcare (color version)
• Medicaid & Healthcare (b&w version)
• Special Education Vouchers paper (color version)
• Special Education Vouchers paper (b&w version)
• Family Care/IRIS Expansion paper (color version)
• Family Care/IRIS Expansion paper (b&w version)
• Special Education Funding paper (color version)
• Special Education Funding paper (b&w version)
• Increasing Employment paper (color version)
• Increasing Employment paper (b&w version)
• Children’s Long-Term Supports paper (color version)
• Children’s Long-Term Supports paper (b&w version)

More to come!