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Respite Care

ISSUE:

Demand for respite care in Wisconsin far exceeds available funding, programs, and qualified providers. When respite care needs remain unmet there is*:

• A 50% increase risk of costly out-of-home placements in foster care, institutions, and nursing homes.
• A four-time higher risk of abuse and neglect.
• An increased divorce rate among primary caregivers, up to 80%.
• A 65% increase in chronic physical and other illnesses (i. e., lupus, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome) among primary caregivers.

The 1999-2001 biennial budget appropriated $50,000 in state funds the first year and $225,000 in state funds the second year to fund five Lifespan Respite Care Projects in each of five administrative regions of the state. The Projects promote the availability of respite care in each area by coordinating services among agencies, facilitating training of staff, and addressing other problems with infrastructure.

*Data collected from the ARCH National Respite Resource Center, National Caregivers Association, and Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (1994).

POSITION:

The WCDD supports consumer-driven respite care services in which all Wisconsin families and primary caregivers have access to flexible, affordable, and quality respite, regardless of disability, income, or age. The WCDD sup-ports the continuation and expansion of the Lifespan Respite Care Projects.

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES:

WCDD supports the following legislative initiatives:

• Increase of $225,000 in state funds for each year of the biennium for total allocation for existing and new respite programs of $450,000 annually for the biennium.

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1. Introduction
2. Birth to Three
3. Campaign Finance Reform
4. Children's Long Term Care Redesign
5. Community Aids
6. Community Integration Program
7. Community Options Program
8. Dental Care Access
9. Direct Service Workforce Shortage
10. Education of Students with Disabilities
11. Employment
12. Family Care Program
13. Family Support Program
14. Independent Living Assistive Technology
15. Medicaid Card Services
16. Mental Health: Fairness in Insurance
17. Mental Health: Services & Supports
18. Protecting People with Disabilities from Abuse
19. Respite Care
20. Specialized Transportation
21. State Centers for the Developmentally Disabled
22. Voting Reforms
23. Welfare Reform & People with Disabilities