Senior Resources 2023-24 Housing Guide

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W HAT IS THE IRIS P ROGRAM ? IRIS Consultant Agencies Your IRIS consultant Agency can help you self-direct and handle the requirements of the IRIS pro gram. You will choose an IRIS consultant that will work with you one-on-one. Your IRIS con sultant will take time to get to know you and learn what is important to you. IRIS Fiscal Employer Agents Your IRIS fiscal employer agent can help do background checks on workers you hire, process payroll, and help with other employer tasks. Your fiscal employer agent also processes

RIS (Include, Respect, I Self direct) is Wisconsin’s self-directed long-term care program for older adults and people with disabilities who are eligible for Medicaid. IRIS is designed to help you live your life with the support you need. In IRIS you have many choices in deciding how you want things done. When you join IRIS, a bud get is established for you based on your long-term care needs and goals. However, you choose: • What goods, supports and ser vices you need; • When and where you want your supports provided; • Who will provide them; and • How you use your IRIS monthly budget effectively and wisely. All IRIS participants have a sup port and service plan. Your plan is based on your long-term care goals and how you want to achieve them, using your IRIS budget. When you build your plan, you’ll think about the things that will maintain or improve the quality of your life. IRIS has a broad set of services available to you. You will be responsible for man aging your IRIS budget, acting as an employer to workers you choose to hire and following IRIS program rules and policies. However, joining IRIS doesn’t mean doing things all by your self. You will have others to help you along the way. Every IRIS participant has an IRIS consultant Agency (IcA) and fiscal Employer Agent (fEA) to help support them in self-direc tion. How it works support from others

payments to other supports on your plan, like agency supports and other items you purchase to meet your goals.

where can i learn more about iRis, and how do i enroll?

If you are interested in learning more about IRIS or your other long term care options, you will need to contact your local Aging and disability Resource center (AdRc). AdRc representatives offer free, unbiased information about long term care options and resources in Wisconsin for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families.

To locate the AdRc in your county, visit: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/adrc

Source: WI Department of Health Services website and IRIS Participant Handbook

2023-24 S E N I O R R E S O U R C E S | 5

For information on Senior Services in Wisconsin, visit our website www.seniorresourcesonline.com