ADRC Mission

1. ADRC Mission To empower and support seniors, people with disabilities and their families by providing useful information and finding the help people seek.

2. Mission continued We value: . Accessibility . Involvement . Advocacy . Lifelong Learning . Collaboration . Meaningful activity . Comprehensiveness . Personal Contact . Creativity . Personal Satisfaction . Dignity . Prevention . Empowerment . Privacy . Holism . Quality . Inclusion . Respect . Independence . Security . Individualism . Volunteerism

3. Getting Started The first contact ADRC receives regarding an individual with a developmental disability may occur in a variety of ways: Client and/or caregiver phone calls Office walk-in Community referrals High schools Children�s Services DVR Supported Employment Agencies E-mail

4. Role of Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Provide information and assistance to adults with disabilities, their families & caregivers, and community agencies Work to ensure that individuals and families understand and have opportunities to explore service options and public benefit programs that may be available to them as adults.

5. Roles of ADRC (cont.) Work collaboratively with other agencies Transition boards Offer joint activities/classes/programs Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Schools/Other community agencies Stress Keeping School Records Importance of obtaining/maintaining documentation and records regarding disability

6. ADRC�s Provide ADRC�s provide a variety of services, they may include: - Information & Assistance - Long-term Care options counseling - Assessments and home visits - Nutrition Program - Adult Day Center - Transportation Program - Benefit Specialist Program - Classes and Activities ( computer, arts, crafts) - Foster Grandparent Program - Retired and Senior Volunteer Program ( RSVP)

7. Staff ADRC staff offer experience working with older adults and adults with a physical or developmental disability. Staff members offer a wide variety of backgrounds in nursing, social work, mental health, vocational rehabilitation, counseling, case management and community education.

8. Roles of Information & Assistance Specialists Consultation with families Educate callers about service options Supportive home care referrals Crisis Intervention Housing options Elder abuse referrals Domestic violence referrals

9. Roles of Disability Benefits Specialists Medicaid (Medical Assistance) Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Medicare, including Part D Prescription Drug Assistance Programs FoodShare Low-Income Tax Credits Private Health & Disability Insurance Issues Housing & Utility Issues Veterans� Benefits

10. Disability Benefit Specialist Packets Adult Disability Report form (3368) Disability Benefit Specialist Program brochure Social Security Administration brochures Disability Benefits (10029) Apply Online for Social Security Benefits (10032) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (11000) You May be Able to Get SSI (11069)

11. Marketing & Outreach Have brochures available at schools & community agencies Provide information about ADRC in newspapers, newsletters, and free papers (Buyer�s Guide, Shopper, etc.) ADRC open house Offer opportunities for joining social and recreational activities at the ADRC Community presentations

12. Transition Advisory Councils Involve ADRC staff in local Transition Advisory Councils and Committees to facilitate ongoing relationships with other interested professionals. Consult the state transition web site for information on your local TACs at www.wsti.org

13. Family Care According to the Department of Health Services, Family Care strives to foster people�s independence and quality of life, while recognizing the need for support.

14. Family Care History Family Care is Wisconsin�s initiative to deliver long term care services to individuals over 18 who have physical disabilities or developmental disabilities, and for frail elderly. Family Care is administered by a managed care organization (MCO) and can be implemented in counties where there is an ADRC

15. Family Care history continued Family Care programs are designed to be flexible, cost effective and comprehensive. Family Care is operating in 22 counties, with additional counties that are beginning implementation. The State�s goal is to implement Family Care in all if Wisconsin�s 72 counties by 2012.

16. Family Care goals CHOICE: Give people better choices about the services and supports available to meet their needs ACCESS: Improve people�s access to services QUALITY: Improve the overall quality of the long-term care system by focusing on achieving people�s health and social outcomes COST-EFFECTIVENESS: create a cost effective long term care system for the future

17. Family Care Referral ADRC�s will accept referrals for individuals aged 17 years, 9 months, who wish to access services via Family Care, the Self-Directs Support Waiver (IRIS), or MA card covered services. ADRC staff will follow established processes to ensure continuity of services for individuals transitioning from the child to adult service systems on their 18th birthday. ADRC staff will provide the consumer with an overview of the eligibility and enrollment process for Family Care. ADRC staff will obtain release of information form(s) as appropriate to determine eligibility.

18. Step 1. Find out if you are �functionally eligible�  An Information & Assistance specialist from ADRC will assist individuals throughout the eligibility and enrollment process. To find out if you are functionally eligible the I & A specialist will visit to talk about: The kinds of things with which you need assistance Conditions or illnesses that limit what you can do The doctors you are seeing about those conditions or illnesses Your financial situation in regard to paying for the help you need

19. Step 2: Meet with the Disability Benefit Specialist Discuss applying for programs that provide Medical Assistance. Work on obtaining a disability determination. Discuss Social Security Benefits as an adult.

20. Step 3: Find out if you are�financially eligible� A caseworker from the Economic Support Office will meet with you to collect specific information and documentation regarding your financial situation. Prior to the meeting, you will receive a list of the things the caseworker needs to see.

21. Step 4: Explore options The I&A worker will meet with you again to talk about the options available to you. If you qualify for Family Care or another waiver program available in your county, you will explore options available through each benefit package. If you wish to enroll in a program you will be asked to sign an enrollment form. If you decide not to enroll in a program, you will be asked to sign a form indicating you are declining enrollment.

22. Challenges Individuals who have borderline intellectual functioning, such as a learning disability, may have difficulty getting services due to insufficient history of unsuccessful employment. Young adults with developmental disabilities who are home schooled are likely to need formal evaluations of functional abilities.

23. Guardianship ADRC staff will refer individuals in need of guardianship services to private attorneys or the Dept. of Health and Human Services - Adult Protective Services.

24. Presenters Becky Severson, ADRC Coordinator, Trempealeau County (715) 538-2311 x289 seversonb@tremplocounty.com Donna Calhoun, Lead Information & Assistance Specialist, Portage County (715) 345-1405 calhound@co.portage.wi.us Maxine Hogan, Disability Benefit Specialist, Portage County (715) 345-1405 hoganm@co.portage.wi.us