News from Care Wisconsin

May 28, 2008  

Family Care Opens in Washington County,
Benefits Frail Seniors and Adults with Disabilities

Community leaders, advocates and service providers gathered today in West Bend to celebrate a milestone in the state’s long-term care redesign, the opening of Family Care in Washington County. Hundreds of frail seniors and adults with disabilities now have more choices and improved access to needed health and long-term care services.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony also marked the opening of Care Wisconsin’s care team offices at 2021 South 18th Ave., West Bend. Care Wisconsin is one of the care management organizations (CMO) contracted with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) to manage the Family Care program in the county.

“We are proud to be part of Family Care in Washington County,” says Karen Musser, CEO of Care Wisconsin. “This is a positive step forward to ensuring that frail seniors, adults with developmental disabilities and adults with physical disabilities get access to quality services when they need them and don’t sit on a waitlist for years.”

Musser recognized the collaborative relationship between the county’s human services department and the nonprofit Care Wisconsin. Washington is the fourth county this year to implement
Family Care, following Columbia, Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties. Currently, Family Care is in 15 counties throughout central and southern Wisconsin.

“Family Care is an exciting new proposal for both the state and Washington County. This is an excellent example of a public and private partnership that will hopefully enhance services to people in need for many years to come,” says Jim Strachota, human services director.

The county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is the point of entry where options counselors walk consumers through their different choices, determine eligibility and process enrollment. The ADRC and Care Wisconsin have helped 150 seniors and adults with disabilities transition from Medicaid waiver programs, known as the Community Options Program (COP) and Community Integration Program (CIP), into Family Care as of June 1.

Out of the almost 700 residents in Washington County who qualify, 170 have been waiting for months or even years for needed community-based services. So far, 24 individuals have come
off the waitlist and enrolled in Family Care offered by Care Wisconsin or the other CMO,
Community Care.

Myrtle Wilkens, who has advanced Alzheimer’s, came off the waitlist and enrolled in Care Wisconsin’s Family Care program. Her husband and guardian, Merlin Wilkens, Farmington, says he was drawn to Care Wisconsin’s over 32 years of experience in long-term care. He also likes the added support and accessibility of his wife’s local care team, which includes a care manager/social worker and a nurse.

“I have peace of mind knowing Myrtle’s care team is there to coordinate needed services and answer questions,” says Wilkens, a retired dairy farmer and World War II veteran.

Members of Care Wisconsin’s Family Care program have access to a local provider network for needed community-based services, such as in-home personal care, medical equipment, assisted living, transportation and help with employment. At the core of Family Care is a member-centered approach to care and the extra support of a care team.

“Our focus is on total well-being, prevention and early intervention to maintain independence and quality of life,” says Musser.

In addition to Washington County, Care Wisconsin will manage Family Care in eight other counties this year, including Columbia, Dodge, Green Lake, Jefferson, Marquette, Sauk, Waukesha and Waushara.

For more information about Family Care in Washington County, call (262) 335-4497 or toll-free
1-877-306-3030, or visit the ADRC at 333 East Washington St., West Bend.

For more information about Care Wisconsin, call (262) 306-5131 or toll-free 1-866-293-0608, or visit its office at 2021 South 18th Ave., Suite 201, West Bend.

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