http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx

Impacts of a Long-Term Care Cap on WI Families

Wisconsin Families Forward
The Impacts of the Long-Term Support Freeze On Families
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx

Think about your son or daughter’s day. If they are under age 21, they spend a majority of their week in school. The day that your son or daughter leaves public education, where will they go? Without a long-term care system in Wisconsin that provides support for employment and community participation for people with disabilities, many families will face a cliff that forces difficult and even terrifying choices. Where will your son or daughter spend their time? Who will they connect with? How will they get around town? Wisconsin's long-term care programs paid by Medicaid (Family Care, IRIS/ CIP/COP) pay such services as day programs, sheltered and supported employment, transportation, residential services, and more.

After June 30, 2011, no community resources will be available to your family when your child leaves school. Wisconsin Families Forward, a statewide group of concerned parents, is asking families to think about the impact of the legislature’s proposal to freeze long-term care in Wisconsin.

Please answer the following questions which will be collected and share with the legislature. Check all that apply.

Question Title

* 1. Economic Impacts: If my son or daughter with a disability exited school in the coming year with no long-term care supports in place in my community:

I or someone in my family would experience job loss due to care needs

My family would experience economic hardship due to increased costs related to providing support

I or someone in my family would experience reduced income due to care needs

My family would have trouble paying basic bills (e.g. housing, food, gas)

My family would have to choose between meeting the needs of my son or daughter with a disability or another family member.

My family would lose health care coverage due to reduced employment

My son or daughter would experience loss of work-related and living skills they learned in school that allow them to be more independent.

My son or daughter with a disability would be unable to work

Question Title

* 2. Health and Emotional Impacts: If my son or daughter with a disability exited school in the coming year with no long-term care supports in place in my community:

I or another family caregiver would experience significant deterioration in mental or physical health

My son or daughter with a disability’s health would deteriorate

My family would experience significant stress

My son or daughter with a disability would be unable to access the community (e.g. friends and activities)

My son or daughter would experience challenging behaviors or depression with no meaningful activity during the day.

I would not be physically or emotionally able to care for my child at home.

The concerns about providing care for my son or daughter with a disability would keep me up at night.

Question Title

* 3. Please leave any comments on how the long-term support freeze will or does impact your family. These comments may be used with legislators. Include town where you live.