Family Care now has an Ombudsman for people either enrolled in or potentially enrolled in Family Care or Family Care Partnership.  An Ombudsman (OM-budz-man) is an advocate.  Through the Ombudsman Program people can get assistance regarding eligibility, benefits, rights, service satisfaction, cost share, and more.

Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) announced this week the launch of their program for people ages 18-59 that live in any Wisconsin Family Care county.  The program offers many services, including:

• Investigating complaints;  
• Resolving and mediating issues;  
• Providing information and education on consumer rights; 
• Assisting in negotiating care plans; 
• Appealing denials of services or changes in services that clients don’t agree with; 
• Working with enforcement and regulatory agencies. 

Some of the Family Care issues that an Ombudsman can help with are:

• Development of a Care Plan that supports a person’s goals; 
• Reduction in Services; 
• Employment; 
• Living Arrangement;
• Young Adults Moving

To learn more about the DRW Ombudsman Program go to their web site at: <http://www.disabilityrightswi.org/archives/237>.

People aged 60 and more have the Ombudsman Program serviced by the WI Board on Aging and Long Term Care.  They can be reached at 1-800-815-0015 or by email at: boaltc@ltc.state.wi.us.