Children
and Families
Families with children with disabilities rely on many programs to support them at home.
- About the issue
- Why does this matter to people with disabilities?
- Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue?
- Who can I contact with my questions?
- Background Information For This Issue
About the issue: (Top of page)
Families with children with disabilities receive support through many programs. These programs provide the services and supports families need to keep their children at home. Some of the services that families receive are ramps, respite care, special medical equipment, personal care, and therapies to bring the child up to age level.
There are four major programs that help families. They are the Family Support program, the children’s Medicaid waiver program, the Katie Beckett program, and the Birth to Three program. The Birth to Three and the Katie Beckett programs are entitlements for those meeting eligibility criteria. Both the children’s waiver and the Family Support programs are limited in terms of availability and resources. Families can’t always receive what they need. And both have waiting lists to get on the program.
Wisconsin is working on changing the way these programs are run. The intent is to make them easier for families to get the help they need. Right now families have to know about each of these programs in order to access them. They also have to apply to each in order to get them. Eligibility criteria are different for each. It is a complicated and confusing arrangement.
Why does this matter to people with disabilities? (Top of page)
These programs are often the only resource families have that allow their children to remain at home. If families are not able to get these services, there is a higher risk their child will be placed in an institution. The financial and emotional cost to place a child away from family is huge. Families have a stake in how a new system will be constructed. Will it be flexible? Will it be accessible? Will it be adequately funded?
Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue? (Top of page)
- Assembly Bill 1 - Lawsuit Reform
This is a companion bill to Special Session Senate Bill 1. These bills curb and reform lawsuits. Among other reforms, families of individuals injured in nursing homes, group homes or other facilities would not be able to use investigative or incident repo [More on Assembly Bill 1 ]
Outcome: Passed Committee - Assembly Bill 40 - Biennial Budget Request
The most important bill of the legislative session, the biennial budget bill determines how much funding programs serving people with disabilities will receive for the next two years. The bill also makes important policies and funding decisions in other a [More on Assembly Bill 40 ]
Outcome: Introduced and referred to the Joint Finance Committee. - Assembly Bill 41 - Uniform State Family and Medical Leave Law
This bill prohibits a local government from passing an ordinance more generous than state law. [More on Assembly Bill 41 ]
Outcome: Passed Assembly and Senate. - Assembly Bill 54 - Child Custody Bill
For separated or divorced parents, this bill would require courts to presume that a 50/50 placement with each parent is in the child's best interest. For very young children or children with emotional or mental illness, 50/50 placement may undermine the c [More on Assembly Bill 54 ]
Outcome: Public hearing held. - Assembly Bill 68 - Mandatory Child Abuse Reporters
This bill makes all public school employees mandatory child abuse and neglect reporters and requires those employees to receive training. It also prohibits those who make a child abuse or neglect report in good faith from being discharged or disciplined. [More on Assembly Bill 68 ]
Outcome: Hearing will be held May 3, 2011 - Assembly Bill 110 - Special Needs School Vouchers
Creates a special needs voucher program that children with disabilities can use to attend private schools. The legislation is modeled after Florida, where the result was segregated schools that turned away students with the most significant needs. Parents [More on Assembly Bill 110 ]
Outcome: Hearing on May 3, 2011 before Assembly Committee on Education. - Senate Bill 8 - Family and Medical Leave Act
There are both federal and state Family and Medical Leave Acts already in law. This bill would make the state law almost the same as the federal law. The current state law helps families and individuals with disabilities more than the federal law. [More on Senate Bill 8 ]
Outcome: Introduced and in committee. - Senate Bill 23 - Uniform State Family and Medical Leave Law
This bill prohibits a local government from passing an ordinance more generous than state law. [More on Senate Bill 23 ]
Outcome: Passed Senate and Assembly. - Senate Bill 27 - Biennial Budget Request
The most important bill of the legislative session, the biennial budget bill determines how much funding programs serving people with disabilities will receive for the next two years. The bill also makes important policies and funding decisions in other a [More on Senate Bill 27 ]
- Senate Bill 42 - Mandatory Child Abuse Reporters
This bill makes all public school employees mandatory child abuse and neglect reporters and requires those employees to receive training. It also prohibits those who make a child abuse or neglect report in good faith from being discharged or disciplined. [More on Senate Bill 42 ]
Outcome: Referred to Committee. - Senate Bill 48 - Special Olympics Tax Check Off
Allows people to make donations to Special Olympics through an income tax check off. [More on Senate Bill 48 ]
Outcome: Passed the State Senate.
Who can I contact with my questions? (Top of page)
John Shaw
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
201 W. Washington Avenue
Madison WI 53703-2796
Phone: Voice (608) 266-7707; TDD (608) 266-6660
Email: John1.Shaw@wisconsin.gov
Fax: (608) 267-3906
If you are not yet a member of the DAWN network, we hope that you will join us. Please register at http://www.dawninfo.org/ea/index.cfm.
