There’s strength in numbers.
A dozen nonprofit organizations worked together with a local assemblyman to ensure continued funding for services for adults with disabilities and dementia.
“People with disabilities or people that have dementia should have the same rights that anybody does, which is the freedom to live independently and be provided with opportunities and programs,” said Jeanne Stangel, president of CEO of Curative Connections.
She and others presented Rep. Elijah Behnke with a plaque in recognition of his assistance during the passage of the 2025-27 state budget. The presentation was made Oct. 28 at the Shawano Civic Center, which is where Curative Connections provides adult day services.
“He helped us with adult family homes, and then what we talk about for Curative Connections is also support for adult day services,” Stangel said. “We work with other adult family homes on the community integration part of it.”
Curative Connections serves about 30 Shawano area residents with disabilities, dementia or early memory loss. They also serve about 300 in Brown County.
“It’s important for people — even though they might have people they’re living with, but that’s not community integration,” Stangel said. “By coming to a program like Curative Connections with adult day services, it gives them opportunities to meet other people, to get out of the home, to be active, to have that social connection.”
The nonprofit organizations asked legislators to support what’s called a “less than fee” minimum for adult family homes.
“What that means is through Family Cares dollars — that’s money that’s allocated through the state that goes to managed care organizations,” she said. “We are a provider for those managed care organizations to provide services for members.”
Providers get reimbursed from the state for services whether members live in a family home or attend an adult day program. This includes people with disabilities, dementia or early memory loss.
Behnke advocated for the funds with fellow legislators. He represents people in Shawano and Brown counties, where Curative Connections has offices.
Many of the professional groups, while specializing in particular services, often work together for their clients. For example, New Community Alternatives, based in Shawano, provides a safe home environment, while Curative Connections provides the community integration through day services.
“There were 12 of us (nonprofit organizations) that talked about all services that are supportive and advocate for people with disabilities and dementia,” Stangel said.
“We all partnered together to lobby and advocate for all of our members to have access to all of our services as we each have our own specialty, but then we partner together to make sure we get them from Point A to Point B and they have a place to sleep at nighttime, and they have activities during the daytime.”
Services include prevocational services for work opportunities, adult day services, assisting those with disabilities, physical therapy, occupational therapy and adult family homes.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
