Becky S. Mather

The board reviewed the financial summary for the second half of the year. Officers for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary were elected. Key actions included the approval of the Preschool Development Grant interagency agreement, updates to the SFY26 Community Investment Plan, and the approval of SFY27 contract renewals and interagency agreements. The Public Policy Committee discussed supporting bills related to home visiting funding and the board name change to the Strengthening Families Board. Additionally, presentations were delivered on family-friendly workplaces and the economic burden of adverse childhood experiences. Reports were provided regarding the Celebrate Children Foundation, the Performance Improvement Committee, and board staff updates.

The committee reviewed and approved the agenda for an upcoming board meeting, which included a scheduled adjustment for the Public Policy Committee presentation. Discussion items included a status update regarding the Task Force for Protecting Kids and its potential name change, as well as brainstorming for future presentation topics for quarterly board meetings.

The agenda includes a review of the financial summary and several action items related to the Community Investment Plan, including updates to the SFY26 plan, funding for the Roots and Wings Foundation, and the development of the SFY27 plan, which covers tribal primary prevention grants, interagency agreements for research studies, and new statewide listening sessions. The meeting also features presentations on the state and future of family resource centers in Wisconsin, including discussions on exploring their implementation and impact, as well as potential partnerships for early childhood mental health consultation and help-me-grow initiatives. Additionally, the committee will review reports from the Public Policy, Celebrate Children Foundation, and Performance Improvement committees, along with planning items concerning the biennium budget, by-law changes, and annual board evaluation.

The Prevention Board's strategic plan for SFY26-28 was developed with input from parents, caregivers, and community-based agencies to address primary prevention funding needs. It outlines four strategies and key initiatives to advance the Board's purpose and vision. The strategic goals include investing in communities through grants, educating and providing technical assistance to the professional workforce, raising public awareness, recommending policy and statutory changes to state agencies for improved coordination of prevention services, and leading collaborative efforts to leverage resources for innovative prevention approaches.

Key discussions scheduled for this meeting include the financial summary, the election of the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. The agenda includes extensive review of Community Investment Plan items, such as the Preschool Development Grant interagency agreement with DCF, updates on the SFY26 Community Investment Plan, and renewal/contracts for SFY27 grants covering Parent Education, Supplemental Primary Prevention, and FRC of Quality. Several SFY27 contracts, including those with the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc., Thriving Wisconsin, United Way of Wisconsin, and UW-Milwaukee, are slated for review. Partner presentations will cover Family Friendly Workplaces and the economic burden of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Committee reports from Public Policy, Celebrate Children Foundation, and Performance Improvement are also scheduled.