Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

1
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
A new future for Wisconsin children
Reggie Bicha Secretary Designee
Erikson Institute April 10, 2008
2
Wisconsins Commitment to Children and Families

• The single most important thing we can do today
  to ensure a strong successful future for
  Wisconsin is to invest in our children and
  families . --- Governor Jim Doyle

3
Over the past 6 years we have

• Increased access to healthcare through BadgerCare
  Plus
• Made college more affordable for all hard working
  students through the Wisconsin Covenant Program
• Created and implemented the KidsFirst Agenda
• Made child care more affordable because of the
  child care tax deduction for families
• Gave 250,000 workers a deserved pay raise because
  of an increase to the minimum wage

4
We have also

• Expanded options for four year old kindergarten
• Increased access to the school breakfast program
• NGA project - LaCausa/UMOs project
• Increased funding for the child support program

5
Furthering our Commitment to Wisconsin Children
and Families
6
Department of Children and Families

• In his most recent budget, Governor Doyle created
  the Department of Children and Families
• DCF will streamline more than 30 services
  currently housed in the Departments of Health and
  Family Services and Workforce Development
• 1st cabinet agency devoted exclusively to helping
  and protecting kids and families of the state

7
DCF A Sum Greater Than Its Parts
Department of Children and Families
Current Structure

• The mission of the Department of Children and
  Families is to promote the economic and social
  well-being of Wisconsins children and families.

DWD W-2/TANF Child Support Wisconsin Shares
8
Overarching Goals

• Children are nurtured, safe and engaged
• Enhance prevention and early intervention efforts
  throughout Wisconsin
• Families will have access to quality early care
  and education
• Parents will secure and maintain meaningful jobs
• Fathers will be engaged in the lives of their
  children, when its safe and appropriate

9
Restructure, Retool, Reprioritize

• Develop and implement integrated program
  approaches to strengthen Wisconsin families
• Streamline government
• Greater emphasis on performance and outcomes
• Improve quality and consistency of service for
  children across Wisconsin
• Identify new strategies to engage consumers and
  the public in our work

10
With your help, the Department of Children and
Families will assure that every child in
Wisconsin gets the best start they can in life.
11
For Additional Information contact us
dcf_at_wisconsin.gov