As the Wisconsin Senate took action today to approve Senate Bill 106 to advance the creation of psychiatric residential treatment (PRTF) options for Wisconsin youth, the Wisconsin Association of Family & Children’s Agencies shared the following statement:
As a network of providers committed to increasing mental health treatment options for our Wisconsin children and families, we applaud the action of the Wisconsin State Senate today, which takes us one step closer to the formation of a more complete continuum of care. Over the past decade our state experienced a significant increase in the number of children being sent out- of-state — away from community, school and family – to receive intensive, responsive treatment services.
Passage of SB 106 honors the stories of struggle shared by our county workforce, our provider community and countless parents and caregivers. More importantly it honors the stories of the hundreds of Wisconsin children who experienced the trauma and disruption of out-of-state placement, while also offering a ray of hope for a future in which we provide our children with the right resource at the right time, right here in our own state.
We are grateful for the tireless leadership of Senator Jesse James and the thoughtful deliberations of the Legislative Council Study Committee on Emergency Detention and Civil Commitment of Minors. Through their efforts and the bipartisan support of our policymakers, Wisconsin is moving forward for kids and families.
