Welcome to TMG’s Partner Links and Resources page. Click on the links below to find great organizations and tools to help you in your self-direction journey.

Partner Links & Resources

Explore these partner links and to find organizations and resources related to the following categories:

| Caregiver Resources | Employment & Transition |

| Health & Wellness | Housing Resources |

| Self-Determination Advocacy |

| The Path Ahead | Transportation |

| Wisconsin Department of Health Services |

Caregiver Resources

Respite Care Association of Wisconsin supports and advocates for quality systems of respite care for Wisconsin families. Their mission is to ‘promote, support, and expand quality statewide respite care across the lifespan.’ TMG was proud to be a part of the partnership that helped create Help and Be Helped Communications tool. This tool is filled with key Wisconsin key resources, including an Respite Care Association of Wisconsin In-home Supports Connection Registry. Read Help and Be Helped here.

Wisconsin’s Family Caregiver Support Programs – located in every county and tribe in the state – provide information and assistance to help people better care for their loved ones – and themselves. Whether arranging for services (e.g., respite care, transportation, etc) or helping families understand their options for care, Family Caregiver Support Programs give caregivers access to the information and services that can help them in the often rewarding – sometimes challenging – role of caregiver.

Employment & Transition

APSE is the only national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to Employment First, a vision that all people with disabilities have a right to competitive employment in an inclusive workforce.

A County Community on Transition (CCOT) is a regional community that comes together (networks) regularly to identify issues, barriers, supports & solutions to assisting students with disabilities make a successful transition based on student post-secondary goals related to training or education, employment and independent living.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) website provides information related to employment supports and Wisconsin’s workforce.

The Employment Network provides learning opportunities and a chance to work together to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to earn livable wages, pursue meaningful careers, and have real choices about individualized employment in their communities.

Project SEARCH is a business led collaboration that enables young adults with disabilities to gain and maintain employment through training and career exploration.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) website provides information related to employment supports and Wisconsin’s workforce.

The Wisconsin Transition Initiative’s mission is to provide professional development to educators, youth, families and transition partners to ensure every child graduates, college and career ready!

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin chapter connects you to local and state-wide resources.

The Mental Health America of Wisconsin (MHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives.

NAMI Wisconsin’s mission is to improve the quality of life of people affected by mental illness and to promote recovery.

The Waisman Center is dedicated to advancing knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA) was formed to advance the spread of evidence-based prevention programs that encourage and support healthy living among older people through partnerships with public and private organizations.

Housing Resources

Movin’ Out is devoted to helping people with disabilities find safe, affordable housing.

Self-Determination Advocacy

AARP is a national organization for people aged 50 years and older, which provides advocacy, resources and discounts on eye glasses, hearing aids, restaurants, travel and other entertainment. Find your local AARP chapter here.

ABCD Institute is an online community where people can learn and share principles and practices of Asset-Based Community Development.

The Arc-Wisconsin Disability Association website provides recent articles and information about issues impacting Wisconsin.

Applied Self-Direction provides practical expertise to help create and operate self-direction programs that run effectively and efficiently for individuals, states, managed care entities, Financial Management Services (FMS) providers, and other stakeholders.

ASAN works to empower people with autism across the world to take control of their own lives and the future of their common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure their voices are heard in the national conversation about them. “Nothing About Us, Without Us!”

The Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin provides a community for individuals with autism, their families, and professionals who serve them. Their goal is to increase the quality of life for those with autism and respond to the emerging needs of the autism community.

The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) is an organization established to advocate on behalf of people with developmental disabilities.

Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) is a private non profit organization that works to ensure the rights of all state citizens with disabilities through individual advocacy and system change.

lThe Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin (DSAW) provides support to Wisconsin families and individuals with Down syndrome through awareness, education, information, programs, services, and the exchange of ideas and experiences.

Family Voices of Wisconsin is a statewide network of families who have children with special health care needs and disabilities and those who work on their behalf. TMG was proud to be a sponsor of Family Voices’ Self-Determination and Children with Disablities letter. This letter outlines how families can support self-direction for …………children, and provides resources to help families on this journey. Read the letter here.

The Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR), Inc., is a nonprofit agency committed to supporting the successful delivery of aging programs and services in 70 counties and 11 tribes in Wisconsin.

In Control Wisconsin works to develop, evaluate, motivate and support new forms of practice and cultural change for self-directed support.

Living Our Visions (LOV) is a member-led organization working to promote inclusion and access for individuals with disabilities and their families. Through education and collaborative projects, we enable individuals with disabilities to live as independently as possible and contribute, in meaningful ways, to the community. By working together, we create new solutions to challenges and bridge the gap between the formal service system and a full life.

People First Wisconsin is a statewide self-advocacy organization for people with disabilities. By joining together in groups, individuals with disabilities learn to speak up for themselves, share ideas, friendships and information.

Save IRIS was started by a group of passionate IRIS participants and their allies, and is committed to preserving & promoting self-direction.

The Wisconsin Self-Determination Network promotes Self-Determination by working together to understand, implement and create rewarding lives for elders and citizens with disabilities.

United Cerebral Palsy educates, advocates, and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities.

The Path Ahead

TMG’s quarterly newsletter, The Path Ahead shares great stories about people enrolled in the TMG IRIS Consultant Agency and fantastic resources to help you lead a self-directed life.

Check out these resource articles that were posted in The Path Ahead:

Advocacy Resources: Check out these fantastic organizations that can connect you with other self-advocates and provide you with great resources.
Circle of Support Resources: Learn about Micah Fialka-Feldman – self-advocate, national speaker, and disability rights pioneer – and how he usese his circle of support to live a full life. Also check out resources on how to build your own circle of support.
Employment Resources: TMG has gathered many resources, training programs, and tips to help you be your best in the workplace.
Online Health & Wellness Resources: These resources can help you take charge of your health and well-being.
Resources for Aging Well: Want to make your golden years great? Check out these resources for aging well.
Resources for Staying Active: Let’s get moving! TMG has gathered some great resources to help you stay active and healthy.
Tips for Taking an Accessible Vacation: If you or a fellow traveler have a physical disability or mobility issues, then be sure to check out these links to help make your next vacation as exciting and stress-free as possible!
TMG Art Resource Page: Check out these art therapy and art resources throughout Wisconsin that can help people who enjoy making art.
Transportation Resources: Whether you’re looking for transportation options, need helpful tools or want to connect with advocacy groups to learn more about this issue, here are a few resources to make your journey a little smoother.
Wisconsin Housing Resources: Do you have questions about housing? Then check out our list help you with your housing needs!

Transportation

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC): Your local ADRC is a great first stop to find out about all of the available transportation options and advocacy efforts happening near you.

Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW): This statewide advocacy organization provides information, referral, advice, investigation and, in select cases, legal representation to help people with disabilities have equal opportunity to transportation.

Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR): Learn how to navigate the unique transportation challenges that people who are aging might run into. GWAAR offers a training toolkit for people who rely on paid and volunteer drivers, as well as other helpful transportation resources.

MTM, Inc.,Wisconsin’s non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) manager, arranges transportation for eligible Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus members throughout the state to their covered preventative and life-sustaining medical appointments. Our goal is to work with Wisconsin stakeholders to ensure a transparent, collaborative relationship while coordinating an innovative, quality-driven transportation program for members, medical facilities, and transportation providers.

People First Wisconsin: This is a statewide organization that helps people learn how to advocate for themselves on important issues such as transportation. Be sure to read People First’s position paper on transportation on their website.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP): This national volunteer program, with local project sites throughout the state, is for people 55 and older who are looking to give back to their communities. One of their many volunteer efforts is providing free rides. Look for an RSVP site near you if you need a ride, or if you’d like to give rides to others.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is committed to protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin, making sure everyone can live their best life.

Below are several programs and resources housed under DHS:

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) provides information on a broad range of programs and services, helps people understand the various long-term care options available to them, helps people apply for programs and benefits, and serves as the access point for publicly funded long-term care. Find your local ADRC here.
ForwardHealth brings together many Department of Health Services health care and nutritional assistance benefit programs with the goal of improving health outcomes for members and creating efficiencies for providers.
Independent Living Centers provide assistance to people with all kinds of disabilities. These agencies were created to promote independence and self-determination for individuals, as well as to offer support and information to families and communities.
IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) is a self-directed program for Wisconsin’s aging population and adults with disabilities. IRIS is built on the principles of self-determination and self-direction. That means that you will have the freedom to decide how you want to live your life.
The IRIS Advisory Committee is a group established to provide recommendations to Department of Health Services (DHS) program staff on programmatic issues related to administration of the IRIS program. Committee members are individuals who have relevant knowledge, experience, expertise, and community relationships that allow them to present ideas, opinions, or facts for the betterment of the IRIS program.
Wisconsin’s Medicaid web page gives information about ForwardHealth and many other commonly used Medicaid terms.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides education, counseling, and enrollment assistance to Medicare beneficiaries. Here you can find contact information for Elderly Benefit Specialists, Disability Benefit Specialists, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Benefit Specialists, Wisconsin Medigap Helpline, Wisconsin Medigap Prescription Drug Helpline, Disability Drug Benefit Helpline, Wisconsin Judicare, and GWAAR Medicare Trainer and Counselor.
The Long-Term Care Advisory Council (LTCAC) advises DHS about issues regarding long-term care services. Here you can find the Council’s meeting agendas and minutes, information about board members and more.

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