Long Wait Over for Mother and Son
After her fair share of rain, Ruth Ritter of Ashland says she is finally seeing rainbows. For more than 15 years, her son Fred, who has a developmental disability, was on a county waiting list for long-term care services. This year, she finally got the call that the long wait was over.
“I am beyond the rainbow,” said Ritter. “NorthernBridges and the Family Care program is a dream come true for me.”
Wisconsin developed Family Care to be a more cost-effective way to help low-income seniors and adults with developmental and physical disabilities get the health and support services they needed to stay in their own homes or other community settings such as group homes.
NorthernBridges is a publicly funded organization created to bring Family Care to Ashland and 10 other northwest Wisconsin counties. Its social workers and nurses team with members to determine their needs and goals. NorthernBridges then contracts with local providers to help meet those needs with services such as medical transportation, housekeeping, bathing, skills training and supportive employment.
Family Care replaces Medicaid waiver programs once administered by the counties.
“When I first contacted the county for help, they said it would be 20 years or more before Fred would get off the wait list,” said Ritter. “It was pretty discouraging, but that was the system then.”
Ritter said she never heard another word except for yearly letters that asked if she wished to keep Fred on the waiting list. She cared for Fred alone after her husband, a minister, died of complications due to diabetes a few years after moving the family to Ashland in 1994.
“I started a consignment business in the mini mall and tried to job coach Fred myself,” said Ritter, but I was always worrying when I had to leave him at home.”
That worry was compounded in 2001 when Ritter was hit by a drunk driver and almost killed. “That’s when Fred and I had the ‘what if’ talk,” said Ritter. “What if someday I am not around? Someday I won’t be. I had no one to cover my flank. Now I feel like NorthernBridges is backing me up.”
Today both mother and son are busy. Ritter works as a substitute teacher, is taking classes in computer training, and does other part-time jobs.
Fred, now 28 years old, is learning living skills such as managing money and going to the grocery store and job skills such as how to clean restrooms. NorthernBridges contracts with New Horizon’s North to provide this support. Personal care workers from Lori Knapp, Inc. come to the Ritter home to help Fred with tasks such as grooming and bathing.
“It’s our job to find the most appropriate, cost-effective services and providers to meet our members’ needs,” said Katharine Swanson, Fred’s Social Services Care Manager. “Before, Fred was just sitting at home most days. Now he is an active member of society, participating at the level he can and hoping to do more.”
His mom agrees.
“All the time he was home without me was time he was not productive,” said Ritter. “Now I know when I’m away, he is not going to be languishing.”
Ritter shakes her head and says it really hasn’t sunk in yet.
“I couldn’t do it all. It was very hard. Now I don’t have to do it all. Fred needed a life outside the house and independent of me. Now both he and I can move forward.”
The first stop to learn more about Family Care is at a County Aging and Disability Resource Center or ADRC. ADRC staff determines if an individual meets Family Care requirements or is eligible for other services. ADRCs are open to anyone with questions on long-term care, mental health and substance abuse services, or assistance with obtaining Medicaid and Medicare benefits.
To contact the ARDC of the North, call1-866-663-3607.
NorthernBridges Fills Two Board of Director Seats
March 2010 Press Release
Susan Reinardy and Howard Johnson have been appointed to fill two at-large positions on the Northwest Long-Term Care District (NW-LTCD) Board of Directors. The NW-LTCD board oversees NorthernBridges, a publicly funded managed-care organization bringing the state’s Family Care benefit to northwest Wisconsin. Family Care is a long-term care program for the elderly and adults with physical and developmental disabilities.
Reinardy had over 30 years’ experience in state government when she retired in 2007. She was the former Deputy Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (now Health Services).
Johnson brings over 40 years of healthcare experience to the board. He was Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Lakeview Medical Center in Rice Lake for 32 years until his retirement in 2008.
“These two Directors will bring to the board an extensive health and managed-care business expertise that will provide a great complement to the diverse experiences and perspectives being provided by the 11 County directors and five Consumer directors on our board, “ said David Willingham, board chair. “This will enhance the strength and overall effectiveness of the board as we move forward into the future providing Family Care in Northwest Wisconsin.”
Reinardy and Johnson were appointed to the board on March 1. Terms are for four years.
“After retiring from state government, my husband and I moved to the Hayward area where we’ve had a cabin for 20 years,” said Reinardy. “I wanted to serve my new community and this seemed a good fit with my experience and background. I was directly involved in policy development for the current Family Care program during its early, formative years, as well as in managed care initiatives for the Wisconsin Medicaid program. I have seen and am committed to the positive impact well-managed programs can have on people’s lives and being part of the NorthernBridges board will afford me that opportunity.”
Johnson sees much similarity in the vision and values of his new and old organization. “Like NorthernBridges, Lakeview’s value statement specifically addresses integrity, respect, passion for learning, partnerships and being creative,” said Johnson. “Lakeview's vision statement was similar in that it provided the best quality and appropriate care to those it served. A board member’s role is to assure we meet the needs of the people we serve in a quality, compassionate and financially responsible manner. To be on a board with a similar mission, vision and values, is quite an honor.”
Board meetings are open to the public and held at 9:00 a.m. the first Monday of every month at the Flat Creek Inn in Hayward.
 
Newly appointed board members Susan Reinardy and Howard Johnson.
Learning Job Skills Leads to Opportunities for Members
January 2010 Press Release
Recently, some young NorthernBridges' members with developmental disabilities told their care team that they wanted to learn job skills. They had graduated high school and were ready to be active participants in their communities.
"In the case of these members, who are very high functioning young adults, one of the things we needed to do was find something for them to do to add value to their lives," said Carla Musil, a NorthernBridges social services care manager.
"Social interaction may be very limited for those with disabilities. It's a common theme after they graduate. They are bored, missing their friends from school, and sitting idle every day."
Very often, such isolation can lead to depression, which can cause some very real health issues. Nearly half of NorthernBridges members have developmental disabilities.
Musil connected these members to Ventures Unlimited, an organization that supports those with disabilities in developing skills for employment.
The group decided to develop a business patterned after those in Menomonie and Eau Claire that offer social events to the disabled community, as well as the general public. The first party proved a great success with a crowd of over 100.
"They are learning what works and what doesn't," said Musil. "What to charge to make a profit, how to plan on the food and purchase it, tracking costs, and doing marketing flyers."
Ventures' staff also meet weekly with the group to help them to develop skills to write a resume and how to interview for employment.
The hope is that for members who have the capability and desire to hold a job, NorthernBridges will help to meet that need.
"We help make the connections to community support and grants available to give our members some of the same opportunities as others have," said Musil.
These friends and business partners host social get-togethers for those with disabilities. From left to right: James “Jamie” Correll, Jennifer Sanders, Ben Anderson, and Melissa Dollaway.
NorthernBridges Cuts Into Long-Term Care Waiting Lists
February 2010 Press Release
It was ten years between phone calls. In 1999, Mary Updike was a hospital social worker when she put one of her patients on a waiting list for long-term care.
The woman, who was physically disabled, needed help to manage her household chores, assistance with bathing and personal care, and get to and from medical appointments.
“Back then, she was eligible for the county’s Community Options Program or “COP,” but there was a waiting list to get services,” said Updike. “We had been told a 12- to 24-month wait. Never would I have thought it would be 10 years.”
Updike’s patient was put on the waiting list because the county had reached its limit for the number of people it could afford to help.
Today, ten years later, Mary Updike works for NorthernBridges, a publicly funded organization created to deliver the state’s Family Care benefit to 11 northwest Wisconsin counties.
Family Care helps low-income elderly and adults with disabilities stay in their own homes or communities. The cost savings from keeping people in their own homes, rather than in more expensive care facilities, and managing resources over 11 counties will make it possible for waiting lists to disappear. Though that won’t happen overnight, it will happen. NorthernBridges will take a waiting list of 1193, transferred to them from 11 counties last spring, down to zero by 2013. A total of 230 have been removed so far.
“When I called to welcome her as a new member to NorthernBridges and Family Care, she said she remembered that I was the one that put her on the waiting list 10 years ago,” recalled Updike. “I said that I remembered her as well and that I was really pleased she could finally get the help she needed.”
Members of NorthernBridges are the center of a care team that includes a nurse, social worker and any other friend or family the member chooses. Together, the team determines a member’s health and life goals. To support those goals, NorthernBridges works with local providers to deliver services that members need to remain as independent as possible.
“What are the odds that I would be the one to put this woman on the waiting list and then welcome her off that list 10 years later?” asked Updike. “I know how gratifying it is for us to make these calls. I can only imagine what it’s like for our members after such a long, long wait to get that call.”
To become a NorthernBridges member, people must first visit their county Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). The ADRC will determine if individuals are eligible for Family Care or a variety of other support services.
New DHS Administrator Crowley Visits Hayward Headquarters
October 2009
She had been in her new job for only 2 months, but Susan Crowley, Administrator of the Division of Long Term Care for the Division of Health Services (DHS), graciously accepted an invitation to visit Northern-Bridges to learn more about the organization.
"I think that speaks volumes about her commitment to Family Care and her view of the importance of the role of the partnership between the state and the MCOs," said David Wllingham, NW-LTCD Board Chair who also met with Crowley.
Value-Based Organization
"I think we had a very good meeting, said John McMahon, Northern-Bridges CEO. "We had three goals--to explain that we are a young and capable business; that we are unique; and that we are a value-based organization where values are not just framed and hanging on the wall, but part of our everyday operations."
The message appeared well-received. "It is so good to come to an organization that leads with its values," she said. "It says a lot about how you deliver services and treat each other."
Challenges Ahead
The challenges NorthernBridges face were addressed, including budget deficits that new MCO's initially incur.
Crowley acknowledged the "enormity of the rate and pace" of an 11-county roll-out in just four months and the hurdles ahead.
"Our primary goal has to be on how we stabilize Family Care for those already there, and build a sustainable model," said Crowley. "The challenges, especially financial, are not insurmountable. We will learn together. NorthernBridges' experience will help shape Family Care as it evolves."
New Administrator of the Division of Long-Term Care Susan Crowley, center, visited NorthernBridges headquarters on October 28. Giving her an overview of business operations were: Brian Ahlgren, Chief Financial Officer, and Janelle Gruetzmacher, Human Resources Manager. Back row, left to right: John McMahon, CEO; Russ Lutz, Operations Manager; Maureen Kenney, Care Management Officer; and Jason Kohl, Manager of Technology Services.
Final Hub Opening in Ashland
At the end of their opening months in May, the Superior and Rice Lake hubs held "hub warmings" to mark the expansion of Family Care in their counties and recognize the agencies that helped make it happen. At the end of June, it was Spooner's and Centuria's turn, in July came Ladysmith, and in August came Park Falls and Hayward. The Ashland hub warming was moved back due to contruction delays, but finally had its big day on October 2. Now all hubs are "officially" up and running and invite you to visit anytime.
Click here for more:
Ashland photos
Rice Lake photos
Superior photos
Spooner photos
Centuria photos
Ladysmith photos
Park Falls Photos
Hayward Photos
At the Rice Lake hub warming, ribbon cutting duties were handled by (left to right) Mary Updike and Erin Owens, IDT Leads; John McMahon, CEO; and Board members David Willingham, Ken Mosentine, Jay Hands, and Mike Linton.
Cutting the ribbon at the Superior hub warming were IDT Leads Priscilla Manisto (left) and Marcia Gurno. Backing them up were the entire Superior crew, John McMahon, and Board members David Willingham and Jack Sweeney.
To see more hub photos, click here.
NorthernBridges Successful in Family Care Expansion
9/10/09 Press Release
It has been a busy summer for NorthernBridges. The new managed care organization (MCO) recently completed the opening of its eighth “hub” office, which delivers Family Care to 11 counties in northwest Wisconsin.
To read entire press release, click here.
State and NorthernBridges Sign Contract for
Family Care
5/1/09 Press Release
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and NorthernBridges have reached agreement on a Family Care program contract effective May 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009.
“What is about to happen is really remarkable after so many months and years of planning and preparing,” said John T. McMahon, NothernBridges’ CEO. “We have reached the summit of an incredibly challenging and rewarding journey to think, dare, and do a public Family Care managed care organization. Our board of directors, staff, business partners, stakeholders of every sort including counties, legislators, advocates, clients, and others, have worked long and hard for this day to arrive.”
To read entire press release click here.
Hiring Continues to Go Well
May, 2009
NorthernBridges hit all its target dates to fill the positions needed to open for business on May 1.
"As we focused on the Rice Lake and Superior hubs to be ready for the May 1 opening date along with the Spooner and Polk County hubs for the June 1 opening date," said Gruetzmacher, "we are now concentrating on hiring for the July and August opening dates."
NorthernBridges has received 680 applications. To date, 294 individuals have been interviewed and 104 have been offered positions and hired, with start dates from now through August 1.
"We would encourage anyone interested in open positions to visit the "Careers" section of our website or to call our Human Resources Office at 715-934-2266 ext. 1114 or 1120," said Grueztmacher. "We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss our hiring timelines, open positions, and answer any questions."
Lots to Do When You're New
April, 2009
New employees spend their first weeks at the Hayward headquarters. There’s lots to do from orientation day to the day they head off to their new offices. Orientation meetings, attending a Board meeting, Family Care Training, Enterprise/IT training, and just getting to know everyone makes the month fly.
The board meeting and board members truly impressed me,” said Karen Johnson, SSCM. “I really felt supported as an employee.”
“I have started new jobs in the past and wondered what I had gotten myself into,” joked Gayle Frambs, behavioral health specialist, “but NorthernBridges is everything and more than I hoped it would be.”
The employee orientation “surge” will continue monthly through August.
Below: the first "class" poses for a graduation photo with
the Hayward staff.
First Member Enrolled!
April, 2009
Enrollment coordinator Glenda Tesmer had been on the job only 3 days when she found herself the center of a celebration--complete with confetti. Glenda successfully enrolled NorthernBridges’ first
member into the Enterprise system on April 9 amid the cheers of Hayward staff.
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