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 15 - Autism Insurance
This is a companion autism insurance bill to SB-3. This bill requires health insurance policies to cover the cost of treatment for someone diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, or a pervasive developmental disorder if the treatment is provided by a [More on Assembly Bill 15 ]
Outcome: Insurance coverage for children with autism was included in the 2009-2011 state budget, AB-75, which was passed into law on June 29, 2009 as Act 28. - Assembly Bill 16 - Hearing Aids
This bill requires health insurance coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants for persons under 18 years of age. [More on Assembly Bill 16 ]
Outcome: The Senate version of this bill, SB-27, passed both houses of the legislature on April 23, 2009. It was signed into law as Act 14 by Gov. Doyle on may 21, 2009. - Assembly Bill 75 - State Budget
This bill is Gov. Doyle's proposed 2009-2011 State Budget. It covers all of the state's expenese and revenues for the next two years starting 7-1-09. It affects most of the services and programs used by people with disabilities. [More on Assembly Bill 75 ]
Outcome: This bill was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Doyle on June 29, 2009. It became Act 28. - Assembly Bill 141 - Autism Services (Alternative)
This bill offers an alternative approach to AB-15 and SB-3 for providing services to people with autism. It requires services be provided to all eligible persons under the MA autism benefit and prohibits the use of waiting lists for these services. [More on Assembly Bill 141 ]
- Assembly Bill 296 - Coordinated Services to Children
This bill makes several changes in state law, 46.56, in the way services are coordinated to children with severe disabilities. [More on Assembly Bill 296 ]
- Senate Bill 3 - Autism Insurance
This bill requires health insurance policies to cover the cost of treatment for someone diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, or a pervasive developmental disorder if the treatment is provided by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker or a [More on Senate Bill 3 ]
Outcome: Insurance coverage for children with autism was included in the 2009-2011 state budget, AB-75, which was passed into law on June 29, 2009 as Act 28. - Senate Bill 27 - Hearing Aids
This is a companion bill to AB-16. This bill requires health insurance coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants for persons under 18. [More on Senate Bill 27 ]
Outcome: This bill was passed by both the Senate and Assembly on April 23, 2009. It was signed into law as Act 14 by Gov. Doyle on May 21, 2009. - Senate Bill 202 - Bullying in Schools
This bill directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to develop a model school policy on bullying by pupils. The bill also directs DPI to develop a model education and awareness program on bullying. The bill directs each school board to adopt a po [More on Senate Bill 202 ]
- Senate Bill 210 - Coordinated Services to Children
This bill makes several changes in state law, 46.56, in the way services are coordinated to children with severe disabilities. [More on Senate Bill 210 ]
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
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