Department of Health and Family Secretary Kevin R. Hayden today announced that the seven existing managed care organizations will receive a total of $494,000 as part of a statewide initiative to expand employment choices for people with disabilities.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to work and live a fulfilling life,” said Secretary Hayden. “We know people with disabilities want to work and be engaged in their community. These grants will help expand employment opportunities by utilizing the state’s new and expanding long-term care system as resources to help people with disabilities find jobs, including Governor Doyle’s Family Care program.”
Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) create personal, individualized care plans for people to ensure they receive the support they need – from health care to personal services. With these grants, MCOs will be able to help people with disabilities find employment in the community. The MCOs will use the funds to strengthen employment planning, involve a broader range of community partners, build on the existing community assets, and identify and find ways to reduce barriers to employment for people with disabilities.
Each MCO will develop its own plan through input received at local listening sessions. There will be 38 listening sessions statewide for the public to discuss disability and employment issues. The listening session schedule can be found at http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/WIpathways/PolicyDocs/ListeningSessions2007.htm.
Many counties use MCOs to coordinate the services people receive through Family Care. Family Care allows seniors and people with disabilities the choice to receive long-term care services in their own homes and communities. Governor Doyle will expand the Family Care program statewide within five years and eliminate all wait lists for long-term care services.
These one-time grants are being awarded to the existing MCOs as part of a $4 million Medicaid Infrastructure Grant the Department received in April 2006.
The seven recipients are as follows:
* Community Care of Portage County, $41,000
* Community Care of Kenosha and Racine counties, $77,000
* La Crosse County Care Management Organization, $77,000
* Creative Care Options of Fond du Lac County, $77,000
* Community Living Alliance of Dane County, $77,000
* Community Health Partnership of Eau Claire, $77,000
* Richland County Care Management Organization, $68,000
