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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, Communications Director 608-266-1683
NORTHWEST LONG-TERM CARE CONSORTIUM RECEIVES FAMILY
CARE PLANNING GRANT
Grant to help seniors and people
with disabilities living in the 11-county area
MADISON - Secretary Kevin R. Hayden presented a $216,900 check to
the Northwest Long-Term Care Consortium to plan for the implementation of
Family Care into Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Polk,
Price, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn counties, where more than 1,200 people
will benefit from the program.
“Family Care is part of Governor Jim Doyle’s long-term care reform
initiative, which allows seniors and people with disabilities the choice
to receive long-term care services in their own homes and communities,”
said Secretary Hayden. “Family Care allows people to maintain their
health and independence while eliminating the waitlist for community
services.”
The grant will be used for the planning and implementation of a new
publicly-operated Managed Care Organization (MCO) and to create two
multi-county Aging and Resource Centers (ADRC) by January 2009.
MCOs create personal, individualized care plans for people to ensure
they receive the support they need - from health care to personal
services. The MCO involves a broader range of community partners and
builds upon existing community assets.
ADRCs are another important component of Family Care because it
provides people and their families’ with information and assistance in
finding long-term care. ADRCs also provide prevention and wellness
services, as well has help people apply for Social Security benefits and
prescription drugs plans.
“Wisconsin is a national leader in reforming long-term care, but we’ll
have people on waiting lists if we can’t expand Family Care. To expand,
we need a budget,” said Hayden. “People don’t deserve to live
without the care they need - or become very sick and need nursing home
care - until we help them. For more than eight months, the Legislature has
failed to pass a budget, which has dire consequences for the state. We
hope the Legislature will move quickly so we can continue to serve the
people of Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin currently has 18 ADRCs, serving 23 counties. The Department
is working with 13 additional counties to establish additional ADRCs and
expand Family Care.
For more information, visit http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/LTCare/Generalinfo/RCs.htm
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Last Revised: October 24, 2008 |
