The Messenger
A Newsletter From The Arc Dane County
Supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 65 years


March 28, 2018
March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month
 
Never underestimate the importance of having a person
in your life who can always make you smile.

~ Zig Ziglar 
 
What's Happening at The Arc Dane County
The Arc Dane County 2018 Awards Banquet
Join us!

Thursday, April 26, 2018
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

Join The Arc Dane County as we recognize those individuals and agencies who do great work and provide support to our communities with disabilities.  We are proud to honor those who are making the biggest impact!

Richardo Meguel Vasquez, The Mirimba Man, will provide the evening's festive entertainment.

Siblings Day 2018

The Arc Dane County is proud to sponsor Siblings Day 2018.  This is a special day created for the siblings of our loved ones with disabilities.  This event is geared towards children in grades kindergarten through middle school and is only for the siblings with no disability.  Siblings Day is designed to focus on a sibling's special place in their family and community.  
  • All children wishing to attend MUST be registered in advance - NO DROP-INs
  • Parents and other family members including  the child with the disability are invited for the program and pizza party in the afternoon.
  • Snacks, lunch, a Siblings Day t-shirt and book to take home are all included in the cost of $7 per child.  It also includes the family pizza party!  
Saturday, April 21, 2018
8:45am - 3:00pm
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
401 S Owen Drive, Madison
Register by phone or email:
608-442-5555 or janemeyer@wisc.edu

Family Care/IRIS Transition
Make your Case for an Active Social Life and Community Integration


Social activities and community integration not only help us develop meaningful relationships, but also support an active and healthy lifestyle.  The Arc Dane County has a  worksheet to help you make the case for an active social life for your loved one with disabilities within the Family Care & IRIS programs.  This worksheet looks at current activities, future aspirations, and the support needed to participate in these activities.  Click here for the worksheet.

In This Issue
Upcoming  Events
The Arc National Events
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Enter to Win a $1000 Stipend to Travel to Washington DC with
The Arc Wisconsin!

Enter to win a $1000 stipend to travel to Washington, DC for the Disability Policy Seminar, April 23-25.  You will share your story with legislators and learn about disability policy with advocates from across the country!


The Arc is part of an annual conference called the Disability Policy Seminar  - it is the premier opportunity to cultivate champions in Washington and advance the grassroots movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

The event is packed with informative sessions from experts in the field, and opportunities to discuss key issues with others from your state. Armed with valuable information, the event culminates with the attendees converging on Capitol Hill to speak directly to our representatives about the high-priority issues that affect you most.

We need more advocates like you in Washington April 23-25 so that we can show Senators Johnson and Baldwin, and our members of the House of Representatives, including Speaker Paul Ryan, the power of the disability community in Wisconsin!
Click here to enter!
2018 Spring Ball - Last Chance for Tickets!
Get your dancing shoes ready for this year's Spring Ball.  We will be dancing the afternoon away:
Sunday April 15th
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club 

We hope you can join us for a fun afternoon of dancing, friends and celebrating the spring season. 

Tickets are available on a first come first serve basis.  Don't wait to get yours, they sell out fast!  Ticket Request Forms are due on or before April 3rd.  Please remember to submit your emergency contact information along with your request for tickets.


We are looking for volunteers to help at this year's event.  If you are interested in a fun afternoon of volunteering, please email Anne at arc.amstevens@gmail.com
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Share Your Events With The Arc Dane County
We are proud to partner with and promote social events that engage people with disabilities.  Please share your events with us and it may appear in an issue of The Messenger.

We hope you can join LOV Dane for their
10th Anniversary Celebration!

Saturday, April 28th, 2018
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Middleton Sport Bowl
6815 University Avenue
Middleton, WI 53562

$10 per bowler or $5 per non-bowler

Bowling, conversation, pizza, and birthday cake!
Lanes will be available for bowlers and space for family and friends to gather for conversation.

Bowling spots are limited, so please RSVP by Wednesday, April 25.

Advocacy
Urge Congress to Pass the EMPOWER Care Act
Tell Congress to Continue the Money Follows the Person Program

The future of a program that has helped more than 75,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions is in jeopardy. Enacted in 2005 with strong bipartisan support, Money Follows the Person (MFP) is one of the longest running, most successful Medicaid demonstrations. MFP significantly improves the lives of older adults and people with disabilities through assisting them to effectively transition out of long term institutional settings. By favoring community-based services, states save money and see better outcomes. That's why nearly every state has participated in the program! Independent evaluations have proven MFP improves the quality of life for individuals,
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The Arc Dane County | (608) 833-1199
6602 Grand Teton Plaza | Madison, WI 53719