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News 'n Notes from Feb 4, 2008

New Publication from WCDD

The latest report of Maureen Arcand’s journey into aging with CP is now available. This report is titled “The Journey Continues: A Bump in the Road”. It covers the period of time since her last report called “The Journey into Aging with Cerebral Palsy Continues”. Since that last report, Maureen fell and broke her hip. Her new report covers her time in the hospital, rehab center, and her return home. It is intended to be an awareness and thought paper for people with Cerebral Palsy, their families and service providers. Free copies are available from our office or you can print a copy from our web site at: .

Maureen’s other publications on aging are available in our publication called “Perspectives on Aging with Life-Long Disabilities: The Collected Writings of Maureen Arcand”. Free copies are available from the BPDD offices or you can print a copy from our web site.

Apprentice Organizer Project

The second group of apprentice organizers started their internship through the Wisconsin Apprentice Organizers Project (AOP) on November 1, 2007. This project is part of the Advocacy component of the State Plan. Six apprentices are in this group. They are Amy Burger who is working with the ARC of Milwaukee. Jason Glozier, who is working with ADAPT of Wisconsin. Tonya Robinson is working with Making Connections in Milwaukee. Ann Fried works with the ARC of Winnebago County. Amanda Bell is working with the Waisman Center in Madison and Janet House is working with Woman Rise up in Madison.

The issues being worked on by the apprentices include efforts to get-out-the-disability-vote, organizing parents of children with disabilities in North Milwaukee, and working with the Oshkosh School district to address its inclusion policy for special education.

The apprenticeships will continue until May. After the apprenticeships are completed, these trained organizers will be available to assist local groups in developing strategic plans for their own advocacy efforts.

Currently there are two trained community organizers available to assist local groups with their advocacy efforts. Don Pirizolla and Qyla Person graduated from the first AOP class last May. If you would like to have one of these individuals assist your organizing and advocacy strategy, contact John Shaw at 608-266-7707, or by email at: shawj2@dhfs.state.wi.us.

Self-Determination Wisconsin in the New Year

Self-Determination Wisconsin, a State Plan project, has expanded for 2008. Naomi Silver has joined Dennis Harkins to continue promoting Self-Direction in our current long-term care system. They will be supporting people interested in deepening their understanding of and experience with self-direction in the expanding Family Care program, as well as with the new Self-Directed Supports waiver.

Self-Determination Wisconsin is committed to continuing to reach the goals in the five-year State Plan. Dennis and Naomi are planning various training sessions around the state for individuals interested in self-directing, as well as for professionals working within the new system. They also are able to help you individualize and create training sessions in your part of Wisconsin. Please contact them with your ideas and requests for support. Watch for a website coming soon!

You can contact Dennis Harkins at 608-442-7190 or by email at: dwharks@aol.com and Naomi Silver at 715-426-4836 or by email at: naomi.wwasd@gmail.com.

Take 5 Wisconsin: 2007 Home Visit Initiative

Take 5 Wisconsin is the State Plan project to link families with elected officials. Efforts to coordinate home visits started in August. Seven group coordinators were recruited to help facilitate this project. In addition, a UW-Madison intern worked to follow-up with families and coordinators.

A new Take 5 Wisconsin website (www.take5wisconsin.org) is available now to better link families and officials. Check it out!

This year the project generated 30 matches, which led to 10 confirmed meetings with State Representatives and Senators along with one mayor and the new Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Additional visits may still continue.

Some examples of the meetings included one Representative who spent a day at school with a child, another visit resulted in action that helped a family find solutions to one of their major concerns, and another helped shine light on an issue of accessibility that will benefit their community. For those and many other reasons, this campaign was a success.

When matches lead to visits, we’ve seen very positive feedback from the families. People generally feel empowered to speak with their elected officials about the issues that concern them. Take 5 Wisconsin has a fundamentally strong base of materials and information that could grow with dedication and lots of hard work.