Table of Contents SERVICES FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES RESPITE CARE SERVICES SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM RESIDENTIAL SERVICES WORK AND ADULT DAY SERVICES BIRTH TO THREE PROGRAM FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM WAITING LISTS ELIGIBILITY COSTS

SERVICES FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS

Ozaukee County residents who are developmentally disabled (according to the definition accepted by the state of Wisconsin) may find needed services available to them through the Department of Community Programs. Some of these services are provided directly by the Developmental Disabilities Unit of this department, however, most of them are purchased for people from other service agencies.

Developmental Disabilities Case Managers offer assistance to eligible persons and their families by helping them to plan attainable life goals. The decisions concerning which services people should receive and for what period of time are made by the case manager together with the person and/or legal guardian. Case managers perform required assessments of the person’s strengths and needs, develop individual case plans, coordinate and monitor services that have been authorized to ensure adequate quality. Case managers function as advocates and provide information and referral services upon request.

Respite care allows the primary care giver to take a break from the responsibility of care giving and have a qualified and caring person provide the care needed by a developmentally disabled adult or child. Respite care can be provided either in the family home or the home of the worker.

An afternoon summer recreation program for children ages 5 to 15 is conducted for four weeks each summer. This program, which has a limited enrollment, is the result of collaboration between school districts, municipal government, a local advocacy organization, and this department.

An array of residential options are available to people depending upon their needs. Some, but not all are located within the county.

	ADULT GROUP HOMES, CALLED COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES (CBRF’s) are homes that have been licensed by the state for 5 or more unrelated residents. Persons residing in CBRF’s need personal care, supervision, and services beyond room and board, but these homes can provide little, if any, nursing care.
	ADULT FAMILY HOMES are homes which are inspected and certified by the county or state. They must comply with a variety of health, safety, and program requirements found in state regulations. Payment for services is dependent upon the amount of personal care needed, as well as, the degree of challenging behaviors for which supervision must be provided.
	ADULT SUPPORTED LIVING is an arrangement that requires the individual or the guardian to lease or own the home. The residential services agency provides support staff who come into the home. Those staff have responsibility to assure that the daily needs of people in such a home are met and to insure that they are functioning adequately at home and in the community.

	SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT and other work activity services are purchased from rehabilitation facilities to provide work to people who are not competitively employed.
	ADULT DAY SERVICES focus primarily on the development of basic functional skills and improved community integration.
	SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT assists people through an employment specialist who develops a community job for them and provides continued on-site coaching services.

The Ozaukee County BIRTH TO THREE PROGRAM involves a variety of early intervention services to eligible children. Those children’s ages must be between birth and three years. They must have a developmental disability or a significant developmental delay. The early intervention services available are based upon the child’s identified needs and the family’s preferences. An individual services coordinator provides (or arranges for) an evaluation to assist in service planning. Those services included in a child’s individual services plan may include: special education, psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, social work and home training.

This program assists families with a child (less than 21 years of age) who lives at home and has a severe, long term disability. The program allows families to obtain help to enhance their ability to care for their child at home. The program provides limited funding to purchase services and goods that they cannot obtain through other sources. Eligibility is determined though a "functional screen" which is a process established by the state to determine the extent of the child’s needs. The state funding to the county is very limited, therefore it is normal for families to be told that a waiting list exists and that they may not have immediate access to needed services through this program.

For most programs, there is limited state and county funding. If funding is unavaliable, eligible individuals are placed on a waiting list for the requested service.

The Wisconsin Statutes, Section 51.01 (5)(a), defines "Developmental Disability" as:

All residents of Ozaukee County with developmental disabilities are welcome to use the services of the Department of Community Programs. Eligibility for services is established only after the existence of a disabling condition which meets the state definition has been clearly documented. Some services are available only if they have been identified as necessary in an approved individual services plan for the person. Funding availability can also affect service availability. As a public agency, this department will not discriminate against anyone in providing services based upon the following considerations: race, age, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, handicap, arrest or conviction record, sexual orientation or marital status.

The Department of Community Programs and the agencies from which it purchases services are financed by county, state and federal tax dollars, client fees, health insurance and voluntary contributions.

Costs of services vary according to the service and the individual. There is no charge for some services while others may require some payment. A confidential ability to pay determination is made if there is a potential "cost share" requirement for the services requested. Nobody is denied access to a program because of an inability to pay fees.