Contact: Erika Monroe-Kane or Stephanie Hayden, 608.266.9000
The Department of Children and Families has been awarded a grant to improve supports for adolescents in foster care and reduce the number of children entering foster care. Presented by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, a delegation from Wisconsin will participate in “Three Branch Institute on Adolescents in Foster Care – Improving Permanency, Reducing Entries.” Wisconsin’s team will travel to Denver, Colorado July 11-13 to learn about effective strategies and develop an action plan to serve youth in foster care more effectively.
Studies show that to achieve lasting improvements in the foster care system, all branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial – must be engaged and work together. This grant offers state teams, comprised of representatives from each branch, the opportunity to work with national and state experts to improve outcomes for children and youth in foster care.
“We at DCF know that children and youth need lifelong, stable connections to help them grow and thrive. For youth who have grown up in foster care, we need to take additional action to ensure their success as adults,” said Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Eloise Anderson.
Reflecting their combined commitment, the Wisconsin delegation includes: DCF Secretary Anderson; Becky Kikkert, Executive Policy Assistant representing Governor Walker’s Office; Honorable Christopher Foley, Milwaukee County Children’s Court; Michelle Jensen Goodwin, Children’s Court Improvement Program; State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin); and State Representative Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake). The team will develop multi-disciplinary curriculum for social workers, attorneys, and judges that will provide participants a better understanding of the child welfare system as a whole and improve Wisconsin’s child welfare system so more children can grow up in a safe, loving, and permanent family.
