News

For information on DRW news, events, or press releases, please contact:
email media@drwi.org.

For information on DRW action alerts, public policy, or voting efforts, please contact:
Lisa Hassenstab at 608-308-2639 or lisah@drwi.org.

DRW provides comments to DHS on the proposed amendment to Wisconsin’s Family Care Waiver

Map of Wisconsin Tribes
DRW understands that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has been working with the state’s 11 Federally recognized Tribes for a long time to find avenues to provide culturally sensitive and relevant long-term care services for Tribal members in the context of Wisconsin’s Family Care Waivers. These efforts require the balancing of federal requirements and Tribal sovereignty. Though there seem to be missing pieces to clarifying a complicated process, we are pleased to see…
Read more... about DRW provides comments to DHS on the proposed amendment to Wisconsin’s Family Care Waiver

Youth Behavioral Health and Wellness Summit!

The Faces of Mental Health: Youth Behavioral Health and Wellness Summit
Attention vendors, wellness facilitators, panel members, volunteers and friends! We have two more days before The Faces of Mental Health-Youth Behavioral Health & Wellness Summit and the excitement is rising! Thank you all so much for taking part in this important event that brings youth behavioral health and wellness to the forefront.  You area valuable player! Next steps: Please share the event, and your participation in the event, with the families and children/youth you know, serve, work with and love. …
Read more... about Youth Behavioral Health and Wellness Summit!

DRW urges DHS to go back to the drawing board on its proposed “Medicaid Managed Care Quality Strategy.”

DHS Building
Reading the new Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Medicaid Managed Care Quality Strategy, we at DRW found it to be broad and unspecific regarding what measures will be put in place and how theywill be carried out. The specific data collection methodologies are not listed. Thus, it is difficult to discern what DHS’s vision for quality measurement is. Our initial recommendation is that DHS withdraw this document and prepare one that complies with the mandates…
Read more... about DRW urges DHS to go back to the drawing board on its proposed “Medicaid Managed Care Quality Strategy.”

DRW Applauds New Legislation for People with Disabilities

Advocates and legislators at bill signing with Governor Walker for support decision making
For Immediate Release: April 16, 2018 Contact: Amy Devine, 608-267-0214 Madison, WI- Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) celebrates the Governor’s signing of the Supported Decision-Making legislation (AB 655) and the “Partners with Business” legislation (AB 819) today. DRW has been a champion of supported decision-making as another tool for people with disabilities and older adults to use in their daily lives. This legislation will allow people with disabilities and older adults to formally designate others they…
Read more... about DRW Applauds New Legislation for People with Disabilities

HMO Enrollment Changes

Document with medicaid as heading, stethoscope laying and pills scattered on top.
HMO Enrollment Changes for adult Medicaid members getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI). According to DHS, “Starting in January 2018, in order to provide high quality care for adult Wisconsin Medicaid members, certain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) members must enroll in an HMO of the member’s choice. Members affected by this change will get a letter in the mail.” If you do not choose an SSI HMO, one will be chosen for you. Members currently enrolled…
Read more... about HMO Enrollment Changes

People With Mental Health Disabilities Shut Down Dangerous Ideas About Gun Violence

Rooted in Rights: Disability Rights are Human Rights
Rooted in Rights produced a video that includes people with Mental Health disabilities and their opinions on gun violence.  Per Rooted in Rights: “The assertion that severe mental illnesses cause gun violence, specifically mass shootings, is not helpful and not accurate, but it is harmful. It is a dangerous idea. And we hear it from the media and our leaders all the time. Worse, no one ever seems to ask people with mental health disabilities…
Read more... about People With Mental Health Disabilities Shut Down Dangerous Ideas About Gun Violence

Momentous Day for Wisconsinites with Disabilities

People with Disabilities in Wisconsin witness signing of State’s Employment First bill into Law in state capitol
The Arc Wisconsin and disability advocates from across the state gathered at the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 28, to witness as Governor Walker signs a landmark Employment First bill into law. As one of the state’s most prominent voices in protecting the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Wisconsin, The Arc Wisconsin has been a leading force behind this bill that will ensure more people with disabilities are employed in…
Read more... about Momentous Day for Wisconsinites with Disabilities

Congress Passes Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act

congress hall with congress in attendance
Thank you to Congress for their unanimous passage of the “Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018”, which establishes a new Protection and Advocacy system for beneficiaries of Social Security with Representative Payees and will grant Disability Rights Wisconsin funding and authority to monitor all representative payees and investigate claims of fraud and abuse.
Read more... about Congress Passes Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act

Family Guide – Services for Milwaukee County Special Needs Children

The interior of a jail. A jail cell door swinging open.
DRW is pleased to offer our new Family Friendly Guide to Services for Milwaukee County Special Needs Children and Youth and their Families. This Guide is designed as a resource to increase awareness and access to services for Milwaukee African American children with a disability and their families. The Guide includes information about how to apply for various community programs for Milwaukee children and youth with a disability or special needs. We hope it will…
Read more... about Family Guide – Services for Milwaukee County Special Needs Children