DSPN exists to support and be a resource for member providers through advocacy and education resources so they can provide the highest quality and full array of services for those with disabilities throughout Wisconsin
Joint Finance Committee announces 2025 listening sessions
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DSPN members are encouraged to attend a state budget hearing to share concerns and request investment in the full array of home and community-based services.
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Monday, April 28, 2025 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)*
Hayward High School Auditorium
10320 Greenwood Lane
Hayward, WI 54843
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)*
Northcentral Technical College
Center for Health Sciences
1000 West Campus Drive
Wausau, WI 54401
*The Committee will conclude taking testimony at the time specified.
Can't attend a hearing?
1. Submit your public comment to the Joint Finance Committee AND
2. E-mail your State Senator and State Representative your message about the state budget (Look up who are my legislators).
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All legislators can talk with the budget writing committee about what they are hearing from constituents.
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All legislators will have to vote on the budget that advances out of Joint Finance, Wisconsin's State Budget writing committee.
Written comments can be emailed to the Committee at budget.comments@legis.wisconsin.gov or sent via U.S. mail to: Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702.
Maximize your experience with these suggestions:
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1. Before you go. Write down your 300-word story about Medicaid and/or special education (see Medicaid and Special Education sections below for tips). *Providers may also use the DSPN Budget Priorities document for your talking points.
2. Go early. People get to the site between 7-8 AM to register to speak.
3. Go with a group or invite people to come with you. Make it a fun way to spend the day, and support each other.
4. Talk to legislators, their staff, and media while you are there. Many area legislators and local media attend the hearings to hear what is on people's minds. Don't be shy. Introduce yourself and say what you are there to talk about.
5. Be prepared to wait. People are called to speak in the order the registration slips are received. (If you need an accommodation, you can ask ahead of time or at the door, but there is no assurance that will allow you to speak earlier).
6. Make each word count. Each person has 3 minutes to speak. Be short, clear, and direct. You can tell a powerful story in a few sentences. (This is why it is helpful to write what you want to say ahead of time and keep it to 300 words or less).
Ongoing DSPN Member Advocacy
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DSPN remains invested in your success. Our CEO, Erin Smith, addresses the economic impact of Medicaid cuts on local communities and businesses in this recent interview with The Wisconsin Independent.
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"It’s going to actually exponentially be more expensive to serve people if the current types of services and businesses go out of business because of cutting of the funds,”
2025 Member Meeting/Advocacy Day
This is an in-person event was held at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace and beautiful Wisconsin State Capitol. Advocacy Day was true success because of members like you! Attendees were able to:
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Network with peers
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Learn about current advocacy topics and approaches
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Strategically plan how to positively influence the future of long-term care services
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Conduct individual provider meetings with local Legislators to provide context on the challenges facing Long-Term Care services in Wisconsin.
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Advocacy Day is just one of many steps we're taking with DSPN Members! Stay tuned for what's ahead.
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Together, we can work towards better outcomes for the individuals served in Wisconsin, as well as a more prosperous and sustainable environment for providers.
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Easily find your Wisconsin state legislator here.​
Check out this message from DSPN CEO, Erin Smith. This resource is designed to help you make the most of Advocacy Day:
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Tentative Schedule of Events:
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Monday, March 3, 2025
2:00 - 5:30 p.m. Board Meeting/Member Meeting and 2025 DSPN Strategic Planning Session
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Reception (hors de Ouvres provided, cash bar)
March 4, 2025
DSPN Member Advocacy Day
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8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast, Welcome, Member Networking
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. DSPN Member Information Session
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Federal and State Medicaid Budget Updates
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Funder Relationships-How this impacts your advocacy
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Lobbying Presentation-Guest Speaker
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Provider Tips and Tricks for Advocacy-Provider/Member Speaker
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Advocacy Preparation Time
12:00 - 4 p.m. Individual meetings pre-arranged at the Capitol - more from DSPN on this!
DSPN Member Town Hall - 14(c) Licenses - Wage and Hour Division of Department of Labor
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For any DSPN member who holds a 14c license, we imagine that you have already heard about the new proposed rule. If you have not, here is a quick update and link to more information:
On December 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), Employment of Workers with Disabilities Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act that would phase out certificates allowing employers to pay workers with disabilities at wage rates below the federal minimum wage.
For those who would be impacted by the proposed rule on 14c licenses, DSPN hosted a virtual town hall meeting on December 10th.
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DSPN will also convene an ad hoc committee to strategize around the public comment on this proposed rule. If you are interested in joining this short-term committee, please reach out to: esmith@dspn.org. First committee meeting will be scheduled for the week of December 16th. As soon as that date is confirmed, our CEO, Erin, will contact interested members.​​​
DSPN Member Town Hall with My Choice/Molina - Minimum Fee Schedule
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​The DHS Minimum Fee Schedule requirements are in process. My Choice/Molina offered DSPN members an opportunity to participate in a virtual Town Hall. Current updates were shared, and time allotted for provider Q&A.
Questions, contact us: support@dspn.org
Thank you to the My Choice/Molina team for making this valuable member information: Update on HCBS Minimum Fee Schedule for Residential Provider Agreements.
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Access the Town Hall recording via link below:
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Previous Meetings:
October 25th DSPN Member Town Hall with Community Care - Minimum Fee Schedule
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The DHS Minimum Fee Schedule requirements are in process. Community Care offered DSPN members an opportunity to participate in a virtual Town Hall. Current updates were shared, and time allotted for provider Q&A.
Questions, contact us: support@dspn.org
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Thank you to the Community Care team for making this valuable member information session possible.
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They have provided a recap of the meeting with helpful resources: DSPN Member Town Hall Talking Points
October 16th DSPN Member Town Hall with iCare/Humana - Minimum Fee Schedule
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​The DHS Minimum Fee Schedule requirements are in process. iCare/Humana offered DSPN members an opportunity to participate in a virtual Town Hall. Current updates were shared, and time allotted for provider Q&A.
Questions, contact us: support@dspn.org
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Thank you to the iCare/Humana team for making this valuable member information session possible.
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Access the Town Hall recording via the link below:
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October 9th DSPN Member Town Hall with Lakeland Care​
Topic of Discussion:
DHS Minimum Fee Schedule requirements are in process, and we know you have questions. Lakeland Care is offered DSPN members a special opportunity to participate in a virtual Town Hall on October 9th. Current updates were shared, and time allotted for provider Q&A.
Thank you to the Lakeland team for making this valuable member information session possible. They have generously shared the presentation slides for your review here.
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Access the Town Hall recording via the link below:
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Have further questions or concerns? The DSPN team is here to assist! Contact us: support@dspn.org
Learn more about the Minimum Fee Schedule
DHS hosted a town hall on September 13, 2024 to:
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Understand how DHS and MCOs will implement the minimum fee schedule
Background:
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has created a minimum fee schedule for home and community-based services (HCBS) in Wisconsin. The minimum fee schedule is a list of the lowest rates managed care organizations (MCO) can pay providers of certain adult long-term care services in Family Care, Family Care Partnership, and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This applies to:
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Supportive home care services
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Agency
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Member self-directed
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Residential facilities
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1-2 bed adult family homes (AFHs)—owner occupied and corporate owned
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3-4 bed AFHs
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Residential care apartment complexes (RCACs)
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Community based residential facilities (CBRFs)
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MCOs must follow the minimum fee schedule beginning October 1, 2024.
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Special Member Advocacy Update
Minimum Fee Schedule
Medicaid Director Bill Hanna shared they are moving forward with the HCBS ARPA funds to establish a minimum fee schedule effective October 1, 2024. The fee schedule is based on information previously shared.
DSPN recently held a member Town Hall to share real-time updates. Learn more here
You can read the Governor's press release on this via the button below:
Want to know more about DSPN's Advocacy Initiatives for Wisconsin's disability services providers? Contact us: support@dspn.org. We're here to assist!
