Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

This document outlines the Poverty Informed Care (PIC) strategy developed by the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council to improve service delivery and outcomes for children and families statewide. The strategy emphasizes treating poverty as a community and systemic issue, not an individual weakness, through a phased roadmap that includes foundational knowledge, organizational readiness, and ongoing implementation. Key priorities for 2025-2026 focus on reviewing policies, identifying opportunities, developing action plans, fostering common language, and ensuring leadership commitment. The overarching goal is to reduce stigma, build trust, remove barriers, and enhance access, engagement, satisfaction, health equity, and overall outcomes.

The meeting included a review of compliance with Open Meetings Law requirements, noting publication dates across various platforms. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the DCF Budget and potential government shutdown impact through 2026, affecting funding awards, and various social support programs. Updates from the Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services covered new abilities for staff to purchase food for families, utilization of the Dave Herbert Trust fund, new staff onboarding, condolences for a deceased worker, and security enhancements planned for the North 26th Street building. Subcommittee check-ins resulted in new member appointments for the Prevention Committee and the Critical Incident Committee. A deep dive presentation focused on Out of Home Care, noting trends like the decline in children in OHC and licensed foster homes, and the impending Chapter 56 Admin Code update designed to ease relative licensing. Case Management Agencies discussed challenges in recruitment, retention, and placement matching, citing factors like inflation and community violence. The youth justice side reported on struggles finding appropriate placements for children with significant mental health challenges. The session concluded with a Call to Action regarding the OHC presentation, focusing on addressing recruitment declines and placement needs.

This document provides an overview of the Child & Family Services Reviews (CFSR) process. It outlines the CFSR goals to ensure conformity, determine what is happening to children and families, and achieve positive outcomes focused on safety, permanency, and well-being. Key child and family outcomes include protection from abuse and neglect, safe maintenance in homes, permanency and stability, preservation of family relationships, enhanced family capacity, and access to appropriate educational and health services. The document also details the CFSR process, systemic factors, and a timeline for implementation in Wisconsin.

The agenda for the meeting includes several critical updates and discussions. Topics to be covered involve Chapter 56 updates, the Child Family Service Review (CFSR) for 2026-2027, and updates concerning the Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services (DMCPS) and the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). Further discussion points include feedback on the upcoming Case Management Contracts Request for Proposal, a 'View from the Bench' segment from the Presiding Judge of Milwaukee County Children's Court, and an outline of the Poverty Informed Care Strategy.

The Family Keys pilot program provided comprehensive support to 77 families over a three-year period, focusing on housing stability, financial literacy, and family preservation. Key interventions included housing navigation, short-term rental assistance, and financial education. The program successfully kept 84% of children with their families and demonstrated significant cost savings compared to foster care, highlighting the effectiveness of proactive housing support.