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News 'n Notes from June 7, 2007

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1. Council Holds Self-Determination Trainings

During April and May, 2007, WCDD sponsored seven regional training events about self-determination. These trainings were designed to inform people about the concepts and "nuts and bolts" of how to implement self-determination (that is, directing one's own long-term supports and controlling one's own life).

Nearly 500 people - individuals with disabilities, family members, service providers, county case managers, and other advocates - attended these one-day workshops. The workshops were held in Kenosha, Green Bay, Wausau, Madison, La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Ashland. Another workshop for people in the Milwaukee area is being planned for late Summer/early Fall.

Dennis Harkins, a national expert on self-determination, facilitated each of the workshops. Representatives of the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) made presentations on how the DHFS managed care statewide initiative (Family Care) fits in with the concept of self-directed supports.

Breakout sessions covered topics such as friendships; community connections; valued social roles; what it means to have control over where one lives, works, and how they spend their day; and stories of successful self-determination.

Self-advocates were prominent in many ways at each workshop - as presenters, panel members and attendees actively participating in the various discussions. All in all, people came away informed, energized and eager to take the next step.

Also being planned is a statewide conference on Self-Determination to take place on November 5 - 7, 2007 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Mark your calendars, plan to attend, and stay posted for further details!

2. Take 5 Wisconsin

Take 5 Wisconsin is a Council initiative to raise awareness of the challenges that  families with a child with a disability face on a daily basis. The project helps facilitate and build relationships with families and decision-makers throughout the state.

Families volunteer to invite decision-makers from their area into their homes to observe and experience what they face. This encounter allows the decision-makers to see how their decisions affect these Wisconsin families. It also allows the families to form a relationship with their representatives.

The first series of meetings took place in spring 2006. The project at that time was called, "Give a Mom a Break" and used Mother's Day as an organizing event. Families and decision-makers reported that it was mutually beneficial.

On April 19, 2007 Take 5 Wisconsin invited families to join their legislators for breakfast in Madison. The legislative breakfast was attended by 12 legislators and over 70 family members. Along with good food and a breathtaking view of the Capitol, legislators had the opportunity to hear stories from their constituents on issues like school finance reform, waiting lists, respite care, and self-determination.

Take 5 Wisconsin will continue to organize and support visits of decision-makers with the families they represent. Local coordinators provide the support needed to schedule visits and make those visits a positive experience for all.

To learn more about Take 5 Wisconsin, go to their web site at: <http://www.take5wisconsin.org/>. If you would like to participate or know of a family who would, contact the project.

3. Take Action is Available on DAWN

The WCDD recently started using an advocacy service from CapWiz. It's called "Take Action". This service allows individuals to send messages to their elected officials with a push of a button! To find the "Take Action" feature, you simply go to the DAWN website and look for the red highlighted box. Right now there are three bills listed.

Often people are busy and can't research the issues as much as they would like. Take Action helps with that. Busy advocates can go to any of the three bills listed and send an email to their elected officials about the bill.

Take Action provides an introduction and a list of talking points that people can use or modify, followed by a closing statement. When you put your personal information into the format, CapWiz figures out who your elected officials are so that all you have to do is hit a button and off your message goes. It's that simple!

In just over two months, 106 people have sent nearly 1,200 messages to state legislators. 71 people have sent 1095 emails on the State Budget. 27 people have sent 54 messages on the Photo ID bill, and 25 people have sent 47 messages on the Autism Insurance bill. Some people sent messages on all three bills. Others sent messages on just one or two bills. If you haven't used this new advocacy tool, give it a try today!

Keep checking the DAWN website frequently, as new bills will be posted.

4. Council Awards Luncheon

The Council held their annual awards luncheon on May 24, 2007. This event allows the Council to recognize the media and advocates who have done exceptional work on behalf of people with disabilities. This year eight media awards were given out. The award to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel yielded an additional award for Special Rrecognition to the Dept. of Workforce Development for creating their "Making Work Pay" program.

In addition to the media awards, the Council presents three service awards. This year the recipient for the Vic Contrucci award was Roberta Sample. The Jayn Wittenmyer Award went to Dorothy Will and the Self-Advocate Award was given to Thomas Gierke.

To read more about these awards and the award winners go to the Awards section of the WCDD web site. Nomination forms for next year's awards will be available on the web site and from the WCDD office this fall.