Long-Term Support Unit

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The Long-Term Support Services Unit of the Washburn County Human Services Department has the responsibility for providing community based support services for aging, physically disabled, developmentally disabled, and chronically mentally ill children and adults.

Services available through the Long-Term Support Unit include, but are not limited to the following:

• Information and Referral
• Adult Protective Services
• Adult Family Care Homes
• Birth-3
• Family Support
• Long Term Support Services

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INFORMATION AND REFERRAL:

The Washburn County Human Services Department offers information and referral services to enhance the ability of consumers to make wise choices and to ensure that they are aware of all available service options in a community based care setting.

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ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES:

The Washburn County Human Services Department has been designated as the Lead Agency for Elder Abuse Investigations under Chapter 46.90 of Wisconsin Statutes. Elder Abuse includes the following four types of mistreatment of people who are age sixty and older: physical abuse, material abuse, neglect and self-neglect. The Washburn County Human Services Department is also responsible for the provision of services under the Vulnerable Adults Act (Wisconsin Statute 940.285 and 940.29) which makes it illegal to subject a vulnerable adult to cruel maltreatment. The focus of all investigations is on providing support and assistance, whenever possible, to allow victims to remain in their own homes. Weekend or after hours emergencies can be reported to the Washburn County Sheriff's Department at 715-468-4700.

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ADULT FAMILY CARE HOMES:

Adult Family Care Homes provide safety, supervision and stability for individuals who are unable to live independently. Adult Family Care Homes in the state of Wisconsin providing care for one or two persons are certified by county human service agencies. These homes provide a home-like atmosphere. The community based service focus is designed to develop and maintain the skills and independence of the residents of the homes. The Adult Family Care Home model serves persons 18 years or older who, because of conditions of aging, physical or mental disability, can no longer live alone. The Washburn County Human Services Department is responsible for the certification process in Washburn County. Placements are arranged and supervised through the Adult Services Unit. The individual requesting placement and the residential care provider mutually agrees upon each placement. Lengths of stays vary depending on individual needs.

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BIRTH -3:

Birth - 3 is a state/federal program provided by Washburn County directly to its residents. This program focuses on children with a disability or significant potential for a developmental disability and provides the unique services each child needs to enhance his/her skills. These services may include: information and referral, screening, tracking, evaluation and assessment, special teaching, physical, occupational and speech therapy, home visits, service coordination, playgroups, assessment and training for using assistive devices, or vision and hearing training.

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FAMILY SUPPORT:

The purpose of the Family Support Program is to help reduce the stress and financial demands experienced by families who have a severely disabled child living at home. Any family, regardless of income, with a child under the age of 21 and living at home and who has a severe emotional, cognitive or physical impairment is eligible to apply. Because each family is unique, the program has flexibility in providing goods and services to meet their needs. These may include: Home or vehicle modifications, child care/respite care, dental/medical costs/utility costs, parent training/education, special equipment/clothing, counseling or therapy services, in home nursing services or transportation. Hopefully a combination of funding sources can be used to enable a family to receive the various goods and services they need.

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LONG TERM SUPPORT SERVICES:

Long term support programs are based on the belief that elderly and disabled individuals should have the option of leading meaningful lives in community settings, should have their preferences for service considered, and that natural supports should be taken into consideration when arranging services. The Community Options Program and related home and community-based medical assistance waivers provide limited funding to enable elderly and disabled people to reside at home or in community settings, rather than costly nursing home or institutional settings. The Washburn County Human Services Department has been identified as the lead agency for long term support services in Washburn County. The services provided as lead agency include: assessment of client needs, care planning and service plan development, contracting for services, ensuring provision of services, monitoring for quality assurance, providing on-going case management, and coordinating the programs with other services available in Washburn County.

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