Wisconsin First Step Help Book 2010
An online Directory of Services for Children with Special Needs. Five regional directories are available. Directories are produced in "real-time" with the most up-to-date information provided at the time they are downloaded. For information or assistance in downloading the directories please contact Teresa Halverson or Karen Brandt at Wisconsin First Step; 1-800-642-7837.


Employment Networks (ENs)
Substantial funding is available to programs or agencies that sign up to be ENs for work that supports planning, support, placement and ongoing support of individuals in employment.  Although many mental health agencies/programs now provide such employment-related support to their clients, they may not now be accessing the additional funding available to them through the EN program. Signing up as an EN can help agency budgets substantially.   Note that funding received by EN agencies/providers is not considered duplicative with respect to any Medicaid reimbursement.

Learn more:

• Ticket to Work
• Mental Health organizations wishing to learn more about becoming an EN should visit: http://www.cessi.net/ttw/EN/mental_health/index.asp
• Combatting Stigma in the Workplace (WUMH)
  

Recovery and the Media: Addiction and Treatment in Entertainment and News (Webcast)

• For more information on the webcast, a trailer, or to watch the program visit: Recovery Month July 2010
• For a complete listing of the 2010 Road to Recovery Television Series Webcasts visit: Recovery Month Multimedia

Peer Specialist Scholarships
There are still limited scholarship funds available from Access to Independence for Peer Specialists who want to take trainings or to pay the application fees for the WI Peer Specialist Certification Exam. The next exam is September 8.

If you are interested in receiving an application form, please contact:
Alice F. Pauser, CPS
WI Peer Specialist Program Coordinator
Access to Independence, Inc.
301 S Livingston St. Suite 200
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-242-8484 ext 224
TTY: 608-242-8485
Toll Free: 800-362-9877


HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces New Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment of a new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), which will offer coverage to uninsured Americans who have been unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health condition.

PCIP, which will be administered either by a state or by HHS, will provide a new health coverage option for Americans who have been uninsured for at least 6 months, have been unable to get health coverage because of a health condition, and are a U.S. citizen or are residing in the United States legally.

Created under the Affordable Care Act, PCIP is a transitional program until 2014, when insurers will be banned from discriminating against adults with pre-existing conditions, and individuals and small businesses will have access to more affordable private insurance choices through new competitive exchanges. In 2014, members of Congress will also purchase their insurance through exchanges.

"For too long, Americans with pre-existing conditions have been locked out of our health insurance market," said Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Today, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan gives them a new option—the same insurance coverage as a healthy individual if they’ve been uninsured for at least 6 months because of a medical condition. This program will provide people the help they need as the Nation transitions to a more competitive and fair market place in 2014."

For more information and details, visit www.healthcare.gov.


National Wraparound Initiative

• Mission: "The NWI works to promote understanding about the components and benefits of wraparound, and to provide the field with resources to facilitate high quality and consistent wraparound implementation." 
• New Web site: http://www.nwi.pdx.edu/

Upcoming Events

Person Centered Planning Training [Tuesday and Wednesday, July 20-21, 2010]
“Being Person-Centered…Mapping the Road to Recovery, Resilience and Wellness”

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Marriott Madison West
Middleton, WI

More details (WUMH Web site calendar)


Care in the Community Conference [Wednesday, September 22, 2010]
Radisson Hotel, Wauwatosa, WI.  

A conference to provide families and providers who care for children and youth with special health care needs with the information and tools they need. For more information, see www.maxishare.com/conferences