Wisconsinites and Communities Benefiting from ARPA Grant Funds Projects

Grants helped create inspiring ideas that produced real results.

Great ideas make remarkable stories, and that’s why we’re featuring more innovative success stories from organizations who were awarded money to boost Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS).

Since November 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has awarded $30 million in grants to 157 organizations for projects that make life easier for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as direct care workers and HCBS providers.

Visit the Medicaid HCBS Grants Success Stories webpage to see inspiring ideas and real results from organizations across the state.

See inspiring ideas and more success stories here

We are proud to highlight these grant projects...

…for communities like Black River Falls in Jackson County Before the Jackson County Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division started its grant project, there were no all-abilities playgrounds within 30 miles of Black River Falls, a city at the heart of Jackson County. Grant funds helped replace old playground equipment with a new, inclusive playground that everyone, regardless of mobility, can use. It created a safe place for people of all ages and all abilities to use. It also increased physical activity, socialization, and acceptance of those with differing abilities.

…for people with vision loss According to the CDC, vision loss is one of the top five leading causes of disability in the United States. Vision Forward Association, which offers comprehensive services for people at all stages of vision loss, wants to change that with their new, grant-funded program, “Addressing Vision Loss as a Public Health Issue.” As of April 2024, Vision Forward Associations has held 26 outreach events, six parent meetings, 43 client support meetings, and 73 presentations for service providers. Overall, the number of clients receiving vision services has increased by 10%, with notable gains in Black communities (from 9% up to 20%) as well as Latino (from 3% up to 7%) communities.

...for organizations serving adults and children with disabilities BRIDGE for Community Life, Inc. knows how important it is to have a trained staff of dedicated, full-hearted people to care for clients. But finding and keeping team members like that can be a constant challenge.  That’s why BRIDGE for Community Life used grant funds to create retention bonuses for existing direct care staff and recruitment bonuses for new staff. With these new bonuses, BRIDGE for Community Life can maintain the staff they need to continue making a positive difference in the lives of people with physical or developmental disabilities.

Please do not reply directly to this email message. For questions, email the DHS ARPA HCBS team. For more information about ARPA funding for HCBS, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.