In July 2016, The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced plans to expand Family Care to all areas of our state. Family Care is a national model for long-term care. Its goals are to give people choice and increased access to quality services, while creating a cost-effective system. Dane County is currently making this transition.

Dane County has been a leader in providing excellent services to frail elders and adults with disabilities. The transition to Family Care is unsettling to many people currently accessing the system. People have many questions and concerns about their ability to maintain access to the high level of services they are accustomed to receiving.

The Dane County Department of Human Services has been working very closely with DHS to facilitate this process. There have been several listening and information sessions offered during the past several months. With the official kick-off in July, these sessions will continue. This fall there will be forums held at the Alliant Energy Center. After that, official counseling will start, helping individuals to make decisions about the services they will receive. People will make the official transition to Family Care early in 2018.

While there will be choices within the program, it is important to remember that there is no lock-in to a specific component of the program. Switching among the Managed Care Organizations (they manage and deliver services within the benefit package), as well as among Family Care, IRIS and Family Care Partnership is always possible.

Questions and concerns about Family Care should be directed to the Dane County Aging and Disability Resource Center located at 2865 N. Sherman Ave. The phone number is 240-7400.

Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or issues. I can be reached at 335-6827 or ritt.michele@countyofdane.com.