The Milwaukee Post

New scorecard gives Wisconsin high marks for serving older, disabled residents WAUKESHA — A scorecard issued by the AARP ranks Wisconsin 8th among U.S. states in meeting the long-term care needs of its residents, but warns that more should be done to improve services across the state. According to the scorecard, unpaid family caregivers provide the bulk of care for older Wisconsinites, in part because the cost of long-term care remains unaffordable for most middle-income families. "The vast majority of older Wisconsinites want to live independently, at home, as they age," said Sam Wilson, state director of AARP Wisconsin, which serves about 815,000 members age 50 and older in Wisconsin. More than 524,000 residents help the aging stay at home by providing assistance with bathing and dressing, transportation, finances, medical tasks like wound care and injec- tions, and more. "When it comes to helping older Wisconsinites live in the setting of their choice, this silent army of family caregivers assumes the lion's share of responsibility," Wilson said. "Many juggle full-time jobs with their caregiving duties; others provide 24/7 care for their loved ones." The value of this unpaid care totals about $5.8 billion, according to AARP. The full state scorecard, along with an interactive map of state rankings and infor- mation, is available at www.longtermscorecard.org. Ground broken on 833 East Ground was broken last week on the construction of 833 East, a new 17-story office building in downtown Milwaukee. Once completed, the building will house Irgens, Godfrey & Kahn S.C. law firm, Jason Inc., Cresa Milwaukee, First American and Colliers International Wisconsin. 833 East is the first new multitenant office building to be built in Milwaukee's busi- ness district in several years. The 358,000-square-foot building will be located at 833 E. Michigan St., a short distance from the central business district, and will replace a 65 year-old parking garage. Amenities of the environmentally sustainable building include office space, IT access, an on-site fitness center, multimedia conference center, parking, concierge service, restaurant and a skywalk connection to the US Bank Center Galleria and parking ramp. The Wisconsin Economic Development Council awarded Irgens a brownfields grant of $495,213 in order to assist with the revitalization and purification of the soil on which the offices will be built. Construction will take about 20 months. Completion is set for 2016. 4 • Milwaukee County Post • June 27, 2014 WEEK IN REVIEW STATE AND LOCAL STORIES OF INTEREST DAR awards $7,000 patriotism grant to Trees from Home, Inc. The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution announced that the organization will be donating $7,000 to Trees from Home, Inc. for Patriotism. Funding for this project was made possible through the sponsorship of The Milwaukee Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, located in Milwaukee. Trees From Home is a charitable organization that provides military with a fully decorated 12-inch artificial Christmas tree and handmade tree skirt. It also provides a Christmas card with the name of the Trees From Home donor and tree decorator, Christmas candy, toothbrush and paste and other items. The cost to ship each box is $20. Trees From Home began as an outreach project of the Daughters of the American Revolution. After two years the project had grown so much that a 501(c)3 was formed to expand the reach of the program. Last year, the organization sent 3,300 tree packages overseas. "We realize that our grant is just one of many that they made throughout the year to promote patriotism," said Julie Stuhlmacher, president of Trees from Home, Inc. "We feel fortunate that they have chosen to assist us. We fulfill our mission with the help of many individuals, companies, and organizations who donate funds and volunteer their time. All of the trees, decorations and treats sent overseas are possible only through the generosity of our donors." The DAR grants program was started in 2010. Funding is awarded to support proj- ects in local communities that promote the organization's mission areas of historic preservation, education and patriotism. For more information on Trees from Home, Inc., visit www.treesfromhome.org. DNR Deer Management Assistance Program off to a solid start MADISON — Wisconsin's new Deer Management Assistance Program has com- pleted its first enrollment period. A number of Wisconsin landowners are eager to work in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources toward a common goal — providing for healthy deer and habitat management. The DMAP is one of several new programs and changes resulting from a two-year review of Wisconsin's deer management program. The DMAP will give landowners the tools and technical assistance needed to manage their property for deer and other wildlife. The program encourages sound land stewardship practices on private and public land and is intended to improve relationships between landowners, hunters and the DNR. DMAP offers three levels of enrollment, with benefits increasing from levels 1 through 3. As of May 30, landowners had submitted 41 level 1 applications, 56 level 2 applica- tions and 17 level 3 applications. These landowners represent 46 counties in Wisconsin and close to 44,000 total acres of land. "I'm really excited about the number of applications we received in our first month of enrollment," said Bob Nack, DMAP coordinator. "Clearly, there is a strong interest and demand for this program from Wisconsin landowners — nearly 44,000 acres is an impressive amount in only our first month." A majority of landowners were responsive to maintaining healthy deer and healthy habitat on their lands. Among all applicants thus far, 92 percent wish to improve habitat for deer and other wildlife through DMAP enrollment. Improved hunting and recreational opportunities is also a priority for many — 66 percent of current applicants are interested in increasing the antler size of harvested bucks. Many landowners (47 percent) look forward to improving relationships with neigh- boring landowners. "Landowners will benefit from getting to know their local wildlife biologist and networking with other landowners in the state," Nack said. In 2014, properties at levels 2 and 3 will be selected for enrollment from a pool of applicants. Applicants not accepted at these levels in 2014 will be enrolled at level 1 and will automatically be considered for enrollment at levels 2 or 3 in 2015. "DMAP enrollment statistics illustrate the public's interest in hands-on wildlife management. Collaboration between landowners, hunters and the department will help improve wildlife habitat and deer herds and help Wisconsin continue its world- class hunting and wildlife viewing traditions," Nack said. DMAP applications for all three levels will be accepted through the online MyDMAP database or via hard copy. For an application or additional information regarding the DMAP program, search the DNR website dnr.wi.gov for keyword "DMAP." For more information contact Bob Nack, DMAP coordinator, Bureau of Wildlife Management, 608-264-6137 Earl Buford to succeed Donald Sykes as MAWIB president and CEO Mayor Tom Barrett recently announced Earl Buford as the new president and CEO of the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board. Buford succeeds Donald Sykes, who has served in that capacity since 2006 and will retire. Buford has been at the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership for 15 years and is currently serving as president. Under Buford's leadership, WRTP/BIG STEP has received many recent accolades, including praise from the White House. Sykes oversaw the transition from the Private Industry Council to MAWIB in 2006, changing the strategic vision of the organization. As a result, MAWIB has dramati- cally increased its capacity to serve job seekers and work with the business commu- nity. Additionally, the organization's funding has been diversified and partnerships increased. "He takes over MAWIB at a time when quality workforce development has become increasingly important to the region. It's my expectation Earl will continue to lead the organization in the positive direction that Don has initiated," Barrett said in a statement. "I am honored to be taking over for Don Sykes. He is an icon in the community," Buford said. "I look forward to working collaboratively with the business communi- ty, and economic and community development stakeholders." The MAWIB focuses on coordinating workforce development for Milwaukee County. It is the largest of 11 workforce boards in the state.

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