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Special Committee on Strengthening Wisconsin Families

Co-Chairs: Sen. Lena Taylor and Rep. Steve Kestell
Legislative Council Staff: Anne Sappenfield and Jessica Karls-Ruplinger
Member List

The Special Committee is directed to develop recommendations to advise the new Department of Children and Families on the administration of programs administered by the new department, to promote the integration of family services formerly administered by multiple departments.

Recommendations to the Legislature
Recommendations to the Joint Legislative Council (February 24, 2010)
  • Proposed Report to the Legislature 2009-13, Special Committee on Strengthening Wisconsin Families (February 8, 2010).
  • LRB-3558/1, relating to extended juvenile court jurisdiction for certain foster youth under the age of 21 years.
  • LRB-3559/1, relating to training for foster parents.
  • LRB-3560/1, relating to creating expectations for foster children and foster parents and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.
  • LRB-3561/1, relating to creating a family policy board and requiring counties to provide prevention resources.
August 21 Mail Ballot
  • Results of the August 21, 2009 mail ballot.
  • WLC: 0346/4, relating to creating a family policy board and requiring counties to provide prevention resources.
  • WLC: 0416/3, relating to creating expectations for foster children and foster parents and rule-making.
  • WLC: 0417/4, relating to training for foster parents.
  • WLC: 0424/2, relating to extended court jurisdiction for certain foster youth under the age of 21 years.
August 13, 2009 Meeting
  • Document. Core Team Key Action Areas Priority Strategies and Key Partners Based on Report out Recommendations from May 4-5, 2009 Summit Based on June 4, 2009 Core Team Meeting, submitted by the Department of Children and Families.
  • Document, Building Bridges to Family Economic Success Workgroup Recommendations and Group Leaders, submitted by the Department of Children and Families.
  • Document, Comments on bill drafts scheduled for August 13, 2009 meeting of the Special Committee on Strengthening Wisconsin Families, submitted by Public Member Jack Westman.
  • Chart, Wisconsin Cares, Inc., Staffing Considerations for a Family Policy Integration Board, submitted by Public Member Jack Westman.
  • Document, Through a New Lens:  Toward a Fundamental Reframing of "the Client", Turning Crisis into Opportunity for Systems Change in Human Services, submitted by Public Member Jon Angeli.
July15, 2009 Meeting
  • Testimony submitted by Richard Schlimm, Chair, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (July 15, 2009).
  • Foster Parent Handbook, submitted by Kimmie Collins, Legislative Liaison, Department of Children and Families: http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/num_memos/DSP/2008/2008-05handbookredirect.pdf.
  • Information about the Foster Care and Adoption Resource Center, submitted by Kimmie Collins, Legislative Liaison, Department of Children and Families:  http://www.wifostercareandadoption.org/.
  • WLC: 0416/2, relating to creating bills of rights for foster children and foster parents.
  • WLC: 0417/2, relating to training for foster parents.
  • WLC: 0424/1, relating to extended court jurisdiction for certain foster youth under the age of 21 years.
  • WLC: 0434/1, relating to training for child welfare case workers.
  • WLC: 0346/3, relating to creating a family policy board and requiring counties to provide prevention resources.
April 2, 2009 Meeting
  • Presentation by Julie Brown, Director, Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership for Professional Development.
  • Milwaukee County Child Welfare: Program Issues (report 06-1)http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab/reports/06-1Full.pdf, submitted by Paul Stuiber and Dean Swenson, Legislative Audit Bureau.
  • Milwaukee County Child Welfare: Finances and Staffing (report 06-2)http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab/reports/06-2Full.pdf, submitted by Paul Stuiber and Dean Swenson, Legislative Audit Bureau.
  • State of Wisconsin Single Audit, 2007-08 (report 09-5) Page 55 discusses the overpayment issue referenced. http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab/reports/09-5full.pdf, submitted by Paul Stuiber and Dean Swenson, Legislative Audit Bureau.
  • Testimony from Dean Swenson, Program Evaluation Director, Legislative Audit Bureau.
  • Document, Recommendations from Frontline Providers, submitted by Co-Chair Lena Taylor.
  • WLC: 0424/P1, relating to extended court jurisdiction for certain foster youth under the age of 21 years.
  • WLC: 0416/1, relating to creating bills of rights for foster children and foster parents.
  • WLC: 0417/1, relating to training for foster parents.
  • Report, Review of Turnover in Milwaukee County Private Agency Child Welfare Ongoing Case Management Staff, prepared by Connie Flower, Jess McDonald, and Michael Sumski (January 2005).
Report to the Legislature
Recommendations to the Joint Legislative Council (March 26, 2009)
  • Results of the March 26, 2009 Meeting.
  • Proposed Report to the Legislature 2009-05, Special Committee on Strengthening Wisconsin Families (March 18, 2009).
  • WLC: 0125/2, relating to children who are involved in multiple systems of care and their families, and making an appropriation.
  • LRB-1912/2, relating to child abuse and neglect prevention grants.
  • WLC: 0383/4, relating to requiring notice to relatives when a child is taken into custody and disclosure of information to relatives for the purpose of facilitating a relationship or placement.
March 3, 2009 Meeting
  • WLC: 0346/3, relating to creating a family policy board and requiring counties to provide prevention resources.
  • WLC: 0383/2, relating to requiring notice to relatives when a child is taken into custody.
  • WLC: 0383/3, relating to requiring notice to relatives when a child is taken into custody.
  • Document, A Plan to Strengthen Wisconsin Families Through a State Family Policy Board, proposed by Wisconsin Cares, Inc., submitted by Public Member Jack Westman.
  • Document, The Status of the Family in Wisconsin State Government, Fragmentation and Discontinuity, submitted by Public Member Jack Westman.
  • Letter, from Rick Lockwood, Family Finding Program Coordinator, to Senator Taylor and Representative Kestell, Co-Chairs of the Special Committee on Strengthening Wisconsin Families, regarding recommended amendment to SFAM08 Notification of Relatives (WLC: 0383/1).
  • Testimony of Susan Conwell, J.D., Executive Director, Kids Matter Inc.
  • Memorandum, Comments on WLC: 0383/2 and 0346/3, from Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Senior Legislative Associate, Wisconsin Counties Association (March 2, 2009).
  • Memorandum, from Jerry Huber, Human Services Director, Human Services Department, La Crosse County.
  • Letter from Christine M. Calpin, Acting Associate Commissioner, Children's Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services, to Reginald Bicha, Administrator, Wisconsin Division of Children and Family Services (February 4, 2008).
  • Document listing responses to issues raised by the Special Committee, submitted by the Department of Children and Families.
  • Document, Comparison between the Family Policy Board and the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, submitted by the Department of Children and Families (January 5, 2009).
  • Testimony of Mary Ann Snyder, Executive Director, Children's Trust Fund.
January 26, 2009 Meeting
  • WLC: 0346/2, relating to creating a family policy board and requiring counties to provide prevention resources.
  • WLC: 0383/1, relating to requiring notice to relatives when a child is taken into custody.
  • Handout, History of the Wisconsin Family Policy Board Proposal, submitted by Public Member Jack Westman.
  • Memorandum from Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Senior Legislative Associate, Wisconsin Counties Association, Comments on WLC: 0383/1 and 0346/2 (January 22, 2009).
  • Handout, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board's Position on the Family Policy Board Proposal, submitted by the Wisconsin Children's Trust Fund (January 21, 2009).
  • Handout, 2009 Building Bridges to Economic Success Fact Sheet, submitted by Jane Penner-Hoppe, Department of Children and Families.
  • Press Release, Governor Doyle Announces Creation of Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care, submitted by Jane Penner-Hoppe, Department of Children and Families.
  • Family to Family, Tools for Rebuilding Foster Care, submitted by Public Member Jon Angeli.
December 4, 2008 Meeting
  • Memo No. 5, Coordinated Services Teams Initiative and the Coordinating Committee Under WLC: 0125/2 (November 25, 2008).
  • Memo No. 6, Other States' Laws Relating to Relative Finding and Kinship Navigator Programs (November 26, 2008).
  • WLC: 0303/1, relating to Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Grants.
  • Handout, 12 Critical Elements of Successful Home Visiting Programs, submitted by Pence Revington, UW-Extension, Family Living Specialist (October 1, 2007).
November 14, 2008 Meeting
  • WLC: 0125/2, relating to children who are involved in multiple systems of care and their families, and making an appropriation.
  • Memo No. 4, WLC: 0125/2, Relating to Children Who Are Involved in Multiple Systems of Care and Their Families (November 7, 2008).
  • Document, Evidence-Based Programs to Prevent children from Entering and Remaining in the Child Welfare System:  Benefits and Costs for Washington, submitted by Public Member Mary Jo Tittl (July 2008).
  • Article, American Humane Association Wins Grant for National Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response in Child Protective Services, submitted by Public Member Jon Angeli.
  • Materials related to home visitation cost benefits:
    • Letter from Stephanie Lee, Washington State Institute for Public Policy (August 5, 2008).
    • American Journal of Evaluation article, Don't Throw Out the Baby With the Bath Water, A Novel Way of Evaluating Outcomes in the Healthy Families America Programs, by Stacey R. Kessler, Montclair State University, and Ashley Nixon and Carnot Nelson, University of Southern Florida (September 2008).
    • Report, Home Visitation in 2005:  Outcomes for Children and Parents, by Deanna S. Gomby, PhD., M.S. (July 18, 2005).
    • Chart, Cost/Benefit Resources for Prevention and Home, by Lynn A. Karoly (2001).
    • Memo, from Kathryn Harding, Lisa Schreiber, Ben Tanzer, & Jim Hmurovich, Prevent Child Abuse America, New WSIPP Cost Study on Child Welfare Programs (August 15, 2008).
    • Document, Investment in Parents as Teachers:  Results for Children, Families and Communities.
    • Letter to Stephanie Lee, Steve Aos, Marna Miller, Washington State Institute for Public Policy (June 30, 2008).
    • Report, The Washington State Institute for Public Policy Cost Benefit Study and the Cost Benefit of Healthy Families Florida, submitted by Terry J. Rhodes, D. Min., Director of Research, Evaluation and Systems, Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida.
    • Report, Benefits and Costs of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs for Youth, Washington State Institute for Public Policy (July 2004; updated September 17, 2004).
    • Document, Evidence-Based Programs to Prevent Children From Entering and Remaining in the Child Welfare System:  Benefits and Costs for Washington, Washington State Institute for Public Policy (July 2008).
  • Presentation from Audrey Laszewski, Project Director for the Early Years Home Visitation Outcomes Project of WI, Key Talking Points (November 14, 2008).  
  • PowerPoint presentation from Jack Tweedie, National Conference of State Legislatures, Home Visiting Programs as Investments: Benefits, Costs and Returns.
October 16, 2008 Meeting
  • Memo No. 3, Current Law Related to Home Visitation Program Grants (October 9, 2008).
  • WLC: 0125/1, relating to children with severe disabilities or who are involved in multiple systems of care, or both, and their families, and making an appropriation.
  • Letter to Governor Jim Doyle, regarding the inclusion of 2007 Assembly Bill 700 in the Executive Budget Bill (October 1, 2008).
  • Listening Sessions, submitted by Jane Penner-Hoppe, Department of Children and Families.
  • National Home Visiting Programs' Shared Vision Statement, submitted by Public Member Mary Jo Tittl.
  • PowerPoint presentation, The SEED School of Wisconsin, by Michael D'Amato, Wisconsin Director, The SEED School Initiative.
  • Selected Media Stories, The SEED School of Wisconsin, by Michael D'Amato, Wisconsin Director, The SEED School Initiative.
  • Handout, dated October 15, 2008, by Michael D'Amato, Wisconsin Director, The SEED School Initiative.
  • Document, Wisconsin Coalition for a Public Boarding School, submitted by Michael D'Amato, Wisconsin Director, The SEED School Initiative.
  • Document, Poverty Matters, Facing Poverty in Wisconsin, submitted by Dick Schlimm, Wisconsin Community Action Program.
  • Handout, submitted by Public Member Jack Westman.
  • Materials submitted by the Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI):
    • Report on Children with Disabilities, Addressing a Growing Epidemic.
    • Resolution, supporting the MCFI's charge, mission and report.
    • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, Young and in Need (March 27, 2008).
    • Handout, JSOnline article, Editorial:  Enabling the right help.
    • Report, Children with Disabilities:  A hidden health care crisis, Findings of the Children's Task Force of the Milwaukee Center for Independence.
    • 2007 Senate Joint Resolution 105, relating to expressing support for the Milwaukee Center for Independence.
September 26, 2008 Meeting
  • Memo No. 2, 2007 Assembly Bill 700, Relating to Children with Severe Disabilities or Who Are Involved in Multiple Systems of Care, or Both, and Their Families (September 18, 2008).
    • Enclosure to Memo No. 2, 2007 Assembly Bill 700, relating to children with severe disabilities or who are involved in multiple systems of care, or both, and their families.
  • Presentation handout by Gerald Huber, Human Services Director, La Crosse County, Building Our Village for Families (September 26, 2008).
  • Presentation handout by Dan Naylor, CST Specialist, White Pine Consulting Services, Inc.
August 25, 2008 Meeting
  • Document, Beyond Ideology, Politics, and Guesswork:  The Case for Evidence-Based Policy, Revised 2008, submitted by Public Member Jon Angeli.

  • Document,  Wisconsin Supporting Families, submitted by Public Member Jon Angeli.
August 12, 2008 Meeting
  • Memo No. 1, Overview of the Special Committee on Strengthening Wisconsin Families and the Department of Children and Families (August 5, 2008).
  • Handout, Evidence-Based Programs to Prevent Children from Entering and Remaining in the Child Welfare System:  Benefits and Costs of Washington, Washington State Institute for Public Policy, submitted by Public Member Jack Westman (July 2008).
  • Power Point Presentation, distributed by Public Member Mary Jo Tittl (August 7, 2008).
  • Document, The One Hundred Billion Dollar Man, The Annual Public Costs of Father Absence, submitted by Public Member Terence Ray.
  • Article, State Uniting Social Services at Single Sites, submitted by Public Member Jon Angeli.
  • Policy Brief No. 24, Family Strengthening Writ Large:  On Becoming a Nation that Promotes Strong Families and Successful Youth, submitted by Public Member Jon Angeli (December 2007).
  • 2007 Foundation for Child Development Report, The Foundation for Child Development Child and Youth Well-Being Index (CWI), 1975-2005, with Projections for 2006, submitted by Public Member Mary Jo Tittl.