This past Wednesday, the Speaker announced the creation of his newly-formed Task Force on Foster Care.  Speaker Vos appointed me as Co-Chair of the bipartisan task force, which is charged with developing ideas to improve the child welfare system that provides out-of-home care for thousands of children in Wisconsin. 

Throughout the summer, the task force will tour the state to meet with foster children, parents, service providers, and experts who are involved in the child welfare system. By listening to their feedback and insight on the struggles they encounter, we will be able to put forward policy initiatives that will have a direct impact on those involved in the system.

I am looking forward to bringing my background and experience with the Marathon County Social Services Administrative Review Panel to assist in finding long-term solutions to these issues. We are taking a holistic approach by looking at ways we can better help these families and children once they've entered the child welfare system, when they are aging out, and how we can work to prevent them from entering into the system in the first place. 

If you haven't had the chance to watch Wednesday's press conference, please click the video above.