CONTACT: 
Stephanie Marquis, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 608-266-1683 
Thomas Cook, Rehabilitation for Wisconsin, 608-244-5310 
Lynn Breedlove, Disability Rights Wisconsin, 608-267-0214 
Jennifer Ondrejka, Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, 608-266-1166

CONSENSUS REACHED FOR PREVOCATIONAL SERVICES DEFINITION IN FAMILY CARE RENEWAL WAIVER APPLICATION

MADISON - The Department of Health Services and representatives from organizations involved with Medicaid waiver-funded prevocational services have reached an agreement regarding the revised prevocational services definition in Wisconsin's Family Care renewal application. The Department of Health Services, Disability Rights Wisconsin, Rehabilitation for Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities have mutually agreed to this press release, which describes the basis of the agreement reached.

The prevocational services definition in the waiver application clarifies that: 

• Prevocational services will continue to be available for people in Family Care
• No one's current prevocational services will be disrupted
• The degree to which each person uses prevocational services will vary, depending on informed consumer choice and the individual's personal goals and interests
• These decisions will be determined by the individual and his or her care-planning team in the ongoing person-centered planning process used in Family Care
• The critical role played by Wisconsin's community rehabilitation providers in serving Family Care members will continue

Prevocational services develop and teach individuals with disabilities general skills which help prepare a person for paid employment in an integrated community setting. The goal of prevocational services is to enable each individual to attain the highest possible wage and work in the most integrated setting and matched to the individual's interests, strengths, priorities, abilities, and capabilities. Prevocational services may take place in a variety of settings, ranging from work centers dedicated to serving people with disabilities to integrated community workplaces.

The definition must be submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for final approval. All parties believe the revised definition is consistent with federal guidelines and it is expected CMS will approve the definition as part of the Family Care waiver renewal beginning January 1st, 2010.

All parties are pleased that this issue has been resolved in a way that does not disrupt services to people in Family Care, yet strengthens the opportunities for Family Care members to participate in community-based jobs in the future.

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Last Revised:  July 12, 2010