DRW releases family guide to Milwaukee services for children with special needs and families

Disability Rights Wisconsin has released a new resource guide for families of Milwaukee County children with special needs. The Family Friendly Guide to Services for Milwaukee County Special Needs Children and Youth and their Families was developed as a resource for African American families and service providers, to help families access community programs for children with disabilities.

“The guide is one part of an outreach initiative to increase awareness and access to services for Milwaukee African American families who have a child with a disability, “said Barbara Beckert, Milwaukee Office Director for Disability Rights Wisconsin. “We hope this guide will not only help families but also help service providers, clinicians, educators, and others who are interacting with families in the Milwaukee community.”

The Guide provides information about access to Medicaid, services coordinated by Milwaukee County such as the Children’s Long Term Support Waiver and Birth to Three, mental health services such as Comprehensive Community Services and Reach, advocacy tips for families, and other Milwaukee resources.

DRW has been meeting with parents monthly to assist in the development of the guide. Sally Flaschberger, Lead Advocacy Specialist said, “Our heartfelt thanks to the participants in DRW’s African American Parent Advisory Group and the many other parents who shared their needs and experiences with us. Their suggestions and experiences seeking services, were key in shaping the Family Guide. We thank these caring parents for so generously sharing their insights and experience.”

The Guide is available as a PDF at www.disabilityrightswi.org/archives/8205. DRW is pleased to provide printed copies of the Guide at no charge to families and to community organizations that serve Milwaukee youth and families, schools, clinics, churches, etc. Requests can be entered at drwi.org/familyguide

The Guide will also be distributed at an October 31st training for service providers, clinicians, and educators who work with Milwaukee African American children and families. The training is offered in partnership with Milwaukee County Disability Services and Milwaukee County BHD Children and Young Adult Mental Health Services. A grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation helped support this Guide.