UnitedHealthCare Community Plan of Wisconsin has awarded a total of $100,000 in grants to four Wisconsin-based nonprofit organizations to help people with disabilities in the state live more independently.

Lt Gov Rebecca Kleefisch, along with Yasmine Winkler, regional CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community & State, and Ellen Sexton, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin, awarded the grants during a ceremony held recently at Independence First in Milwaukee.

“UnitedHealthcare’s grants to these four organizations will go a long way toward helping Wisconsin residents receive the support they need to live on their own,” Kleefisch says, in a media release. “Many people with disabilities in Wisconsin are able to live independently and work thanks to organizations such as the four being recognized with grants from UnitedHealthcare.”

The four grant awardees include: The Arc Wisconsin to enable the organization to train 20 human-service professionals across Wisconsin who will provide future-planning education and support to 60 families and individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities; and Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin to help Easterseals provide training and employment services for 350 people, including assessment, job shadowing, job coaching and follow-up.

The other two awardees are: Independence First to help Independence First expand access to mobility equipment by providing 30 people with equipment vouchers and increase connections to independent-living resources for people with disabilities; and Life Navigators to fund the Intergenerational Family Support Program with in-home and telephonic intervention services for 40 caretakers and consumers, community training for 50 caregivers, and training for 50 financial-planning professionals.

“UnitedHealthcare partners with community organizations that understand how each individual’s circumstances in life affect their health care and well-being,” Sexton states. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support these four Wisconsin organizations that are working to improve the health and independence of Wisconsin residents with disabilities and special needs.”

[Source(s): UnitedHealthCare, Business Wire]