MTILP Inc. Mobility Training and Independent Living Programs

Winter/Spring

2018

101 Nob Hill Rd

Madison, WI 53713

mtilp.net

Executive Director

Joan Fischer

608-288-0603

President

Andrea Hayes

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The transition to Family Care and IRIS began in earnest on February 1, 2018. A transi-

tion of this magnitude is bound to have a few issues, and there have been some ini-

tial hiccups with transportation. However, for the most part, the transition has been

a little smoother than expected. So far through February and March, we’ve transi-

tioned roughly half of our 80 clients. It’s been a steady, continuous process that will

continue for a couple months. Every MTILP, Inc./SWO team member has bought in to

everything that we’ve needed to do in order to make these transitions happen

smoothly.

Change is difficult and most people even fear it. It takes you out of your comfort

zone, and whether you like it or not, forces you to adapt to these changes going on

around you. But change can also be looked at as a great opportunity…to continue to

learn, grow and adapt to our ever changing system. That is the approach we’ve tak-

en, and will continue to do so as we strive to provide the highest quality service to

the individuals we support.

Family Care/IRIS Transition

Meet Shanna Greetings! I am so excited to have joined MTILP in October of 2017 as the Contract

Specialist. I was hired to take on the new world of Family Care and IRIS. It has been a

fun, exciting transition that has overall gone smoothly. I have thoroughly enjoyed

working with everyone so far and excited to be part of a great agency.

I was born and raised in the big state of Montana and I moved to Bismarck, North Da-

kota for college and earned my social work degree. I had been working as a school

social worker on the Standing Rock Reservation until I moved to Janesville, WI in 2006

to work for Rock County Human Services. I became a board member of MTILP, Inc. in

the fall of 2012 and have served as a board member until my employment with MTILP.

I also earned a master’s degree in social work in December of 2013 and currently li-

censed as a Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker.

I am recently married and together my husband and I enjoy anything sports related,

including basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, and now golf. I also enjoy spending

time with family, friends (human and fur alike) as well as enjoy raising our four-legged

child, Madison, who keeps us on our toes. –Shanna

Shanna has been an awesome addition to our MTILP, Inc. team with her upbeat ‘can

do’ attitude. She hit the ground running in October as our Contract Specialist and has

not stopped!! I am so grateful to have her with us as we move full steam ahead with

Family Care and IRIS in Dane County. ~Joan Fischer Shanna getting a visit from Terri’s puppy.

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Friday Art Group

Badger Volunteers

This spring semester we have five Badger Volunteer groups! One

each day of the week, including a group on Thursday that meets

at Warner Park with our County Program. Our state day program

has three trip groups and one Very Special Arts volunteer group.

In total we have 19 Badger Volunteers this semester! What an

amazing opportunity for our business and our clients.

Thank you volunteers!

MUSIC & ART PROGRAMS MTILP staff met Shekinah at Thirsty Goat during a staff outing and hired her to

play music for us last fall and winter. She is a talented keyboardist and singer

with a positive attitude and beautiful smile!

This winter and spring our day program has Very Special Arts with our favorite

visual artist –Leslie! She is back for another 10-week program leading garden

themed art projects. FUN!

Our 4th PaintNite fundraiser took place in November of 2017. We raised over $2,000 for fun events, programs and enter-

tainment for our clients. Staff did an amazing job collecting silent auction donations and donating their time and talents to

the event. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event possible and all our attendee’s who painted the night away!

PaintNite Fundraiser 2017

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New MTILP Van

The 2017 volunteer of the year for our state day program is Lisha Du. Lisha started with us in 2015 with UW’s Badger Volunteer Program. She bonded with one client in particular and came back each semester until her graduation in December of 2017.

Lisha Du

MTILP, Inc. Volunteer of the Year

In February MTILP, Inc. purchased a van to use for client

transport and community integration trips. Our state pro-

gram gained another client putting our number at 27, which

was one too many for our MTILP buses.

Joan’s Thoughts

People think about spring as a time for new beginnings. I feel like we are

in the midst of a ‘new beginning’ at MTILP, Inc. That sounds like a good

thing, and I am a glass ½ full kind of person. MTILP, Inc. has been working

very hard to keep things running smoothly for our clients and programs

since individuals began transitioning to Family Care and IRIS in February. For the most part,

I believe the transitions are going fairly well for our company as we are getting to know the

‘ins and outs’ of working with several different MCOs, IRIS Consultant Agencies, and Fiscal

Employer Agents. It has not been smooth sailing by any means, but we are all learning and

being diligent. Having a good system of communication is one of the keys to success and

that has been a bit of a road block and a big frustration for many providers. However, the

County has done a great job keeping providers updated as people transition. Provider agen-

cies have been meeting regularly and inviting representatives from MCOs and ICAs to dis-

cuss concerns and problem solve. And new teams are forming to help individuals with the

services and supports that they need. I have faith that the process will improve with time.

Again, glass ½ full. I am thankful for all of the dedicated, wonderful people that work at

MTILP, Inc. Happy Spring!

MTILP, Inc.

Mobility Training and Independent

Living Program, Inc. is a private, non-

profit corporation with 501 (c) (3)

status. MTILP, Inc. has been providing

quality services to adults with develop-

mental disabilities in Dane County since

1995.

• Our mission is to improve the quality

of life for individuals with disabilities by

providing the support and training

necessary for each person to work and

participate in the community and live as

independently as possible.

• MTILP, Inc. provides combined long-

term supports of daily living skills

training, mobility training, vocational

training and job placement for over 100

adults with disabilities in Dane County.

These services are offered through

supported employment, mobility train-

ing, home support and facility based

programs.

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

MTILP, Inc.

101 Nob Hill Rd

Madison, WI 53713

Phone: 608-288-0641

Fax: 608-237-2030

E-mail: joan@mtilp.net

“Building Bridges to Independence”

Joan Fischer Executive Director

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move

with it, and join the dance.” ~ Alan W. Watts