Planning Process

Milwaukee County’s Long-Term Care Planning process is designed to address the things the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) says Milwaukee County has to do to plan for long-term care services for adults with disabilities under the age of 60 within the next five or so years. The State wants all counties to provide “managed care” to meet people’s long-term care needs rather than providing services under the current long-term care waiver programs (COP¹, CIP², etc.).

Milwaukee County’s overall planning process is headed by three Partners: Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Disabilities Services Division (DSD), iCare and Community Care. There is a Leadership Committee, which includes the three Partners, as well as representatives from Milwaukee County Department on Aging (MCDA) and Milwaukee County Office for Persons with Disabilities. The State also attends those meetings. This Leadership Committee oversees and guides the planning process.

Two key components of any reformed long-term care system, as required by the State, include:

• An Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). According to the State: “ADRCs are the first place to go with aging and disability questions. ADRCs are service centers that provide a place for the public to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability.”

• A Care Management Organization (CMO). CMOs manage and deliver long-term care benefits, which are tailored to each individual’s needs, circumstances and preferences.

The planning process included a Resource Center Development Committee which had staff from the three Partners and community stakeholders. There have also been internal planning groups, which are addressing the technical and detailed aspects of expanding the existing Family Care CMO in Milwaukee County to accommodate adults with disabilities under the age of 60. 

Helping tie the planning process together and providing input and feedback on the proposed long-term care services system is the Consumer / Stakeholder Advisory Council. The Advisory Council provides feedback to the other planning groups, who in turn may request input on specific issues from the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council also serves to help educate consumers and stakeholders about long-term care reform.

Click here to view an illustration of Milwaukee County’s Long-Term Care Planning process.

¹ The Community Options Program helps people who need long-term care to stay in their own homes and communities. Its purpose is to provide cost-effective alternatives to expensive care in institutions and nursing homes. Community Options serves people who need long-term support, regardless of age or type of disability, who need the same levels of physical or mental health care as nursing home residents. (Source: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/LTC_COP/copdesc.htm)
² The Community Integration Program helps people with developmental disabilities relocate from State centers and nursing homes back to their communities. (Source: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/bdds/cip/index.htm)