Wednesday, March 26, 2008

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

Community leaders, advocates and service providers gathered today in Portage to celebrate a milestone in the state’s long-term care redesign, the opening of Family Care in Columbia 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 2425 New Pinery Road, Portage. Care Wisconsin is the Care Management Organization (CMO) contracted with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) to manage the two Family Care programs—Family Care and Partnership—in the county.
Care Wisconsin plans to rollout and manage Family Care in seven other counties, including Dodge, Green Lake, Jefferson, Marquette, Washington, Waukesha and Waushara, in 2008.

For more information about Family Care in Columbia County, call toll-free 1-888-742-9233 or visit the ADRC at 2652 Murphy Road, Portage.

To read the press release click here:  Family Care Opens in Columbia County (36.40 KB)

Click on link below for a published article recapping the event, including an interview with a Family Care member and care team RN Louis Kutzke. Portage Daily Register, March 27, 2008:

http://www.wiscnews.com/pdr/news/278853

Photos
Photo 1: (l-r) Kevin Hayden, Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services;
Karen Musser, CEO of Care Wisconsin; and Judith Frye, Director, Wisconsin Bureau of Long Term Support.

Spring 2008 

Students Reflect on Treasured Times with Older Adults

Whenever I look at my grandfather, I look into his eyes.
I look into his eyes and see compassion because he cares for me so much.
I look into his eyes and see bravery since he fought in the war.
I look into his eyes and see gentleness because he’s so calm.
I look into his eyes and see love because…he loves me!
I look into his eyes and see my grandpa…looking back at me.
Sylvan Gu, Spring Harbor Middle School, Madison, WI
2007 Best Time Ever entry
 

Middle school students from throughout the state reflected on special times spent with older adults as they participated in Care Wisconsin´s 2007 Best Time Ever Art & Writing Contest. Their thoughtful entries included stories, poems, drawings, paintings, and other artwork that communicated the importance of intergenerational relationships in their lives.

Care Wisconsin's annual Best Time Ever contest creates an opportunity for youth to share treasured memories and promotes respect for older adults and the value of their contributions. The students' vivid recollections ranged from fishing with a grandparent to entertaining residents of a local nursing home to enjoying the simple pleasure of a shared swing ride on a sunny day.
A panel of community volunteers reviewed last year's entries and selected the 100 most creative works, which were recently published in booklet form.  2007 Best Time Ever Booklet (14.76 MB)

Last year's Best Time Ever Art & Writing Contest sponsors included:

• American Family Insurance, which underwrote costs for promoting the contest in Capital Newspapers' Newspapers in Education program and publishing booklets featuring the top 100 entries.
• Knuckleheads Indoor Bowling and Family Amusement Park, which gave a free amusement ride to all entrants.
• Culver's Restaurants, which gave the top 100 entries a coupon for a free sundae.
• Great Wolf Lodge, which donated a one-night stay in a family suite to the lucky winner drawn from the top entries.
  

Information on Care Wisconsin's next Best Time Ever Art & Writing Contest will be available in Fall 2008.

Click on link below for a published article recapping the event, Portage Daily Register, April 12, 2008:

http://www.wiscnews.com/pdr/news/281351