Family Voices of Wisconsin

06/15/2026

📢 Important Update for BadgerCare Plus Members

New federal requirements are expected to affect some adults enrolled in BadgerCare Plus (BC+) beginning in 2027.

Under the new law, some members ages 19–64 may need to meet certain requirements—such as working, attending school, participating in job training, or volunteering, to maintain their health care coverage.

For families of children with disabilities or complex medical needs, now may be a good time to explore with your CLTS Support & Service Coordinator whether your child qualifies for Medicaid through the Katie Beckett Program—and learn how BC+ members, and parents as caregivers to children with disabilities (of any age), may qualify for an exception to this new rule.

To help families and community members understand these upcoming changes, Wisconsin DHS will be hosting an informational webinar to discuss:

✅ Who may be affected
✅ Exemptions and special circumstances
✅ What activities may count toward the requirement
✅ Timelines and next steps
✅ Exemptions from the requirement (such as Katie Beckett)

📅 Thursday, June 18th
⏰ 2:00 pm

🔗 Registration link in the comments.

Please share this information with family, friends, caregivers, and community members —or anyone who may be impacted by these upcoming Medicaid changes.

06/14/2026

🗣️ Elopement, legislative updates, summer events, and more—it's all in our latest newsletter! Take a look and stay up to date on what's happening. 📚

📎 A link to the current issue and to sign up for emails in the comments.

06/13/2026

✨ Fast Fact Friday ✨

Our state is home to 5 regional Children's Resource Centers. These professionals offer direct experience, and are a wonderful source of support and information for parents, families, and professionals. 💙

🫂 If you have a child with special health care needs, or if you have concerns about your child, consider scanning the QR code to learn more and get connected with your local Children’s Resource Center.

06/12/2026

Sharing this upcoming opportunity on behalf of our partners! 💙

This virtual series offers connection, support, and resource-sharing for parents of children in Complex Care Programs.

💻 Scan the QR or visit the link in the comments to register!

06/11/2026

⏰ Reminder: The deadline to share your feedback on Wisconsin's Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver renewal is almost here!

DHS is proposing updates that may impact children and families, including:
▪️ A family ombuds program
▪️ A county-specific complaint process
▪️ Childcare supplement changes
▪️ New Service Coordinator training requirements

✨ Positive feedback matters too!

Your input can help shape services for Wisconsin families.

🗓️ Comments are due by June 13.

We are updating our Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver Program and need your help. The goal – to:
• Make the experience more consistent across all counties
• Ensure families can easily access all Medicaid services when they need them
• Create a more efficient and effective program
➡ Review the waiver renewal application and share your thoughts by June 13: dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/waiver/renewal.htm

06/11/2026

What a great day at the kick-off of the Ho-Chunk Summer Block Party series! We had so many wonderful conversations and made some great connections.

Didn't make it out today? No worries—we will be at every Block Party this summer, so there will be plenty of opportunities to stop by, say hello, and connect with us. ☀️🎉

If you're in Central Wisconsin, you can come see us tomorrow at the Clark County Community Health & Resource Fair from 1–5 p.m.!

Worried about missing the World Cup? We have good news—our amazing partners tell us they will have the game on, so you can catch the action while checking out all the great resources and activities.

Sounds like a win-win to us! ⚽😊

06/09/2026

☀️ Summer is here, and Family Voices of WI is excited to be part of the Ho-Chunk Summer Block Parties this year! 🎉

This year's theme, "A Summer of Mental Wellness," is one we're especially excited about. As parents of children with special health care needs and disabilities, we know that mental wellness is important for the whole family—not just our children, but parents, caregivers, and family members, too. 💙

We are looking forward to celebrating summer, building connections, and sharing resources that can help make navigating systems and services a little easier.

If you're attending one of the block parties, be sure to stop by and say hello! We would love to meet you, chat, and connect with your family.

Join us for a summer filled with fun, community, and wellness. We can't wait to see you there! 🌻✨

06/08/2026

🔶📣Great news!

After some terrific advocacy work by Wisconsin's disability community, which includes the Independent Living network who raised this issue at our legislative visits in March (in addition to targeted advocacy afterwards), the Joint Finance Committee finally included additional funding for DVR to address the waitlist.

Learn more here: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/press/2026/260602-dvr-receives-funding.htm

06/05/2026

✨FAST FACT FRIDAY ✨

Why might a provider or CLTS support and service coordinator suggest Katie Beckett Medicaid? 🤔

If your child has BadgerCare Plus, you may be encouraged to explore Katie Beckett if your child has a disability or complex medical needs.

Katie Beckett is based on the child’s needs, not family income —which can help families keep coverage even if income changes.

It can also provide more consistent access to services like therapies, medical equipment, and in-home supports —helping prevent gaps in care.

For many families, it’s about stability, support, and making sure their child gets what they need. ❤️