New Members, county and community leaders, advocates and service providers gathered on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 to celebrate a milestone in the state's long-term care redesign, the opening of Family Care in Columbia County.  Hundreds of frail seniors and adults with disabilities now have more choices and improved access to needed health and long-term care services.

Kevin Hayden, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS), spoke about the state's history of innovative long-term care programs. He lauded the progress made since 2006 when Governor Jim Doyle announced his goal to expand Family Care statewide, eliminating waitlists for community-based care and promoting the integration of health and long-term care services over the next five years.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony also marked the opening of Care Wisconsin's care team offices at 2425 New Pinery Road in Portage. Care Wisconsin is the Care Management Organization (CMO) contracted with the DHFS to manage the two Family Care programs-Family Care and Partnership-in the county.

Karen Musser, Care Wisconsin Chief Executive Officer, hosted the event. Erik Pritzl, Director of Columbia County Health and Human Services and Dennis Wittig, Director of Columbia County Aging and Disabilitiy Resource Center were also recognized.

For more information about Family Care in Columbia County, call toll-free 1-888-742-9233 or visit the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 2652 Murphy Road, Portage.

Fore more information about Care Wisconsin, call (608) 742-8900 or toll-free 1-866-561-2682, or visit its office at 2425 New Pinery Road, Portage. Website: www.carewisc.org.

For an excellent story in the Portage Daily Register follow this link:
http://www.wiscnews.com/pdr/news/278853