HearthStone of WI

HearthStone of WI HearthStone is a self-help and advocacy organization for people with disabilities and their families.

More information on becoming a member can be found here: https://hearthstonewi.org/free-hearthstone-membership-request/ In October of 1995, a small group of family members and friends in the Sheboygan area were drawn together for a common concern they shared about how we as a society were caring for disabled individuals in our community. The initial focus of this group was directed mostly to the

residential care facilities we had in the county. The concern and grassroots efforts by this group lead to the creation of “HearthStone of Wisconsin”, which filed Articles of Incorporation with the State of Wisconsin as a non-stock, non-profit organization in December of 1996. Our mission is to make our communities a welcoming place for people with disabilities and to support and encourage positive life experiences. Our members are people with developmental and/or physical disabilities, their families, friends and people within our communities who care about them. We offer assistance, guidance, advocacy and support in transition to and in perpetuation of community-based living. We believe in working together to help dreams come true; Dreams of Independence, Dreams of Respect, Dreams of Achievement, and Dreams of Laughter. In the past, HearthStone has helped provide and obtain funding which enabled individuals and families with a disabled member to have their own home. We have helped families obtain funding for specialized equipment and or respite care. We continue to hold quarterly community educational meetings and seminars for the disabled and their family members. In addition we regularly provide social opportunities for our young people including an annual summer outing, bowling party, Christmas party, and spring dance. We continue to be a strong advocacy voice for the disabled in our community and throughout the state attempting to influence legislative policies that improve services and promote greater independence for individuals with disabilities.

06/12/2026

Many people are concerned about the new federal work requirements for Medicaid. The WI Department of Health Services (DHS) has launched a new website and screening tool for Wisconsinites to learn about these new work requirements. You can find more info and try out the screening tool using this link: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/work.htm

DHS will also be hosting a Medicaid Work Requirement Webinar on June 18, 2026. You can submit your questions by June 12th if you want them to answer your questions specifically on the webinar.

Use this link to register for the Webinar on June 12th: https://dhswi.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_SGnVElbEQyqVaLT_oi7F9g #/registration

We will continue covering the work requirements and any state updates during our Federal Funding webinar series each Friday from 9-10:30am. Register here for tomorrow's webinar: https://bit.ly/FedFund612

06/05/2026
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06/04/2026

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Too often, we mistake presence for participation. We invite people with developmental and intellectual disabilities into rooms, have people sit at tables, and then move ahead without really making space for their thoughts, choices, or feelings. Inclusion is not measured by attendance. It is measured by whether someone is given a real way to be understood, and whether others take the time to listen. If you want to know whether someone was truly included, don’t ask if they were there. Ask if they were respected, heard, and able to influence what happened next.
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ID: A professional-looking person is talking to a support staff person. The speech bubble reads: “We involved Brian in the meeting.”
Person with intellectual disability with a thought bubble: You talked TO me for an hour.

06/01/2026

The R-word is not just a word—it’s a slur that harms people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read powerful firsthand stories of the pain this word causes.

Action Alert regarding DVR funding
06/01/2026

Action Alert regarding DVR funding

ACTION ALERT! The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is meeting on Tuesday, June 2, to decide whether the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) services should get the extra money it needs to begin helping people with disabilities who are on the DVR waitlist, want to work, and need help getting a job.

The state budget did not set aside enough money to cover the costs of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). There are more than 7,000 people on the DVR waitlist, and it’s estimated that the list will grow to 15,000 by the end of the year without enough state funding.

ACTION STEP BEFORE 9 AM TUESDAY, JUNE 2: Contact the members of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance and your State Senator and State Assembly Representatives and tell them what it means when people with disabilities and families have to wait for help when they want to work.

LINKS FOR LEGISLATIVE CONTACT INFO:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/committees/joint/2920
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/

06/01/2026

One week. One cooler. Thousands of athletes impacted. 💙

From June 1–7, participating Wisconsin Culver’s restaurants are supporting Special Olympics Wisconsin through the Polar Plunge “Cooler” Campaign. Every cooler purchased helps fund opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.

Even small actions can create meaningful impact:
✔️ Purchase a cooler
✔️ Round up your order
✔️ Share this post to spread awareness

The campaign takes place during Special Olympics Wisconsin Summer Games, June 4–6 in Whitewater — one of the most inspiring weekends of the year, featuring more than 1,400 athletes competing in four sports.

Thank you to Culver’s Wisconsin locations for helping champion inclusion and empowering athletes year-round. 🙌

Find participating restaurants here: https://bit.ly/4dDYUGs

Content warning: This post discusses su***de and mental health.Roughly 40% of people with intellectual and developmental...
05/31/2026

Content warning: This post discusses su***de and mental health.
Roughly 40% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have mental health needs, but this serious issue is often overlooked and misunderstood. Read our fact sheet about signs to look for and ways you can help. https://bit.ly/4dgcFuE

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The Arc of the United States is the nation's leading nonprofit advancing the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Explore our programs, advocacy, and resources that promote community participation, equality, and opportunity for all.

People with IDD experience sexually assault at 7 times the rate of people without disabilities.
05/29/2026

People with IDD experience sexually assault at 7 times the rate of people without disabilities.

People with disabilities are sexually assaulted at 7x the rate of people without disabilities. Access resources on how to talk about this issue.

In an article on behavior change, Brian Chicoine, MD, writes, "Any and all behavior change should be viewed as a possibl...
05/27/2026

In an article on behavior change, Brian Chicoine, MD, writes, "Any and all behavior change should be viewed as a possible communication tool."

A change in behavior may be the way an individual with or without Down syndrome communicates that they are experiencing a:
🔹 physical or mental health issue,
🔹 social or environmental stressor,
🔹 sensory challenge, or
🔹 combination of these difficulties.

For example, a person who seems more irritable than usual may have a painful condition such as a sinus infection or gout. A person who stops wanting to go to a favorite activity may have experienced something upsetting at the activity. It is important to consider many possible causes when a person has a behavior change.

Learn more in Dr. Chicoine's article linked below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/behavior-change
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1586224540171413&set=a.720793166714559

In an article on behavior change, Brian Chicoine, MD, writes, "Any and all behavior change should be viewed as a possible communication tool."

A change in behavior may be the way an individual with or without Down syndrome communicates that they are experiencing a:
🔹 physical or mental health issue,
🔹 social or environmental stressor,
🔹 sensory challenge, or
🔹 combination of these difficulties.

For example, a person who seems more irritable than usual may have a painful condition such as a sinus infection or gout. A person who stops wanting to go to a favorite activity may have experienced something upsetting at the activity. It is important to consider many possible causes when a person has a behavior change.

Learn more in Dr. Chicoine's article linked below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/behavior-change/

Address

P. O. Box 1444
Sheboygan, WI
53082

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