(Wisconsin) The Wisconsin Department of Health wants to hear from state residents about ways to make the Include, Respect, I Self-Direct (IRIS) program the best it can be.
Serving roughly 26,000 Wisconsinites, the program empowers adults with disabilities and older adults with long-term health care needs to live independently and make their own choices. Participants and others involved with the program can share their ideas in and online survey from now until August 2 in English, Hmong, and Spanish.
They can also participate in two online public comment sections on July 30 and July 31. The department will use all the information gathered to make proposed changes to the IRIS program.
Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson says they are eager to hear from the community on how they can make the IRIS program better served for the people who need it most and improve quality of life.
She adds the proposals coming from this survey will ensure they can fund services and support to help program participants stay in their homes and communities. DHS must submit the proposed waiver applications to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by 2025.
If approved, the changes will take effect in January 2026. Feedback from groups such as IRIS participants, family and friends, caregivers and providers are essential to ensure proposed changes are equitable. A link to more information is available HERE.
