Family Care and IRIS Resources

(Welcome to the resource page for Family Care and IRIS. Are you looking for the Family Care and IRIS Ombudsman Program page?) Family Care is a long-term care program that helps frail elders and adults with disabilities get the services they need to remain in their homes, instead of moving to institutional or residential care. Family Care offers services to foster independence and quality of life for members. IRIS is short for Include, Respect, and I Self-Direct, a self-directed long-term care option for adults with disabilities who qualify for Medicaid.

Strategies

Disability Rights Wisconsin has a team of IRIS and Family Care Ombudsmen who provide services for people under the age of 60 enrolled or trying to enroll in the IRIS and Family Care programs. (If you are over 60, advocacy resources can be found here) Our attorneys provide information and education on consumer rights, investigate complaints, negotiate and mediate, and assist clients in filing for complaints, appeals, and administrative hearings. They work to guarantee that people in these programs are given the full extent of their rights as part of these programs. When a pattern of problems emerges that affects several enrollees, DRW staff will address the issue at the level of MCO, IRIS Independent Consultant Agency, ADRC, or provider administration. When appropriate, DRW will also work collaboratively with DHS on such issues.