Need for Family Care services continues to grow

LA CROSSE, Wis.--The debate over who is responsible for expanding family care in Wisconsin continued Thursday after Gov. Scott Walker announced Wednesday he would lift the cap on Family Care. But one thing is clear: The families who use it think it's an important program.

In Wisconsin more than 33,000 people take advantage of Family Care program and officials say the need is growing. The Family Care program has helped thousands in our area live more independent lives.

Officials say, as our health care system improves and people are living longer, the need for Family Care will continue to grow.

Being blind, Rhonda Straats receives weekly help with things like reading the mail, cleaning and getting to work.                

It's help from the group Western Wisconsin Cares that really allows her to live more independently. 

"I would have to make my own arrangements, which would be certainly be slightly more difficult,” said Straats.

But Straats said there are still many out there who need help.

"We need more options for continuing involvement in terms of maintaining health care and maintaining quality of life; maintaining one's place in the community," said Straats.

More than 2,000 people are currently benefiting from Family Care in La Crosse County alone.

Marcia Jagodzinske, President and CEO of Riverfront Inc., said the need is going to continue growing.

“We have greater longevity, we have greater survival rates,” said Jagodzinske. “As you get along in years, the longer you live the greater chances are of having a disability. So, even if you start with a disability you are still on that same path to acquire additional disabilities.”

And the help Family Care has provided so far doesn't just benefit the people who need it.

“Things don't happen overnight,” said Jagodzinske. “People take time to learn. It takes time to support people well, but the outcomes are just phenomenal and as a result our community is so much better off.”

And it’s Family Care, Jagodzinske and Straats said, that creates a better community so that everyone has a chance to live normal lives.

"It's just always nice to have that safety net of Family Care and Western Wisconsin Cares to make sure that I can maintain an optimal lifestyle," said Straats.

La Crosse County has been a part of the Family Care Program from the beginning. It was actually one of the sites chosen to take part when the program was piloted in 1998.