Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

The document summarizes the midpoint celebration of the Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) grant. Key discussion points included a review of the grant's mission and vision, and reflections from committee members on the project's impact on policy work and service delivery. The presentation showcased accomplishments achieved halfway through the grant period, which aims to enhance evidence-based policy-making by building the Workforce Data Integration System. External trends discussed included the impact of the Evidence Act (passed in 2018, signed in 2019) on federal data modernization, requirements for evidence-based service delivery in programs like RESCA, and the growing external focus on data privacy regulations such as GDPR and the CCPA. The established vision for the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) centers on basing programs and policy on evidence, building evidence where it doesn't exist, measuring experience to adjust, understanding system impact on individuals, leveraging collective data, and defining data availability for internal and external use.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Learning Agenda aims to increase evidence-based decision-making for policy and practice, particularly for its Workforce Data Integration System (WDIS). The plan focuses on three strategic goal areas: developing career pathways to sustainable jobs, assessing future workforce needs related to technology and trends, and improving customer service and service alignment. It seeks to deliver effective and inclusive services, protect and advance Wisconsin workers, and leverage data to enhance service delivery and improve person and family-centered outcomes.

The meeting agenda includes a roll call, introductions, announcements, and a quorum check, followed by the approval of minutes from the August 2025 meeting and an Order of Selection update meeting. The council will discuss strategic planning with Heather Laakso, followed by a new member engagement activity during lunch. There will be a public comment session, a DVR administrative update from Meredith Dressel, and committee updates from various committees. The meeting will also cover a review of action items and identification of future agenda topics. Additionally, there will be a DVR quarterly update, including program year outcomes, budget information, pre-employment transition services, RSA negotiated measures, top happenings in DVR, internal workgroup updates, staff training updates, new mediation and appeals requests, and appeal hearing outcomes.

The meeting covered committee updates from the Council Engagement Committee, Performance Measures and Quality Assurance Committee/Policy Review and Administration Committee, Services to Business Committee, and Executive Committee. There was a Career Pathways Grant update, a Ticket to Work, Partnership Plus and Social Security Overview, and WRC Officer Elections. The council discussed public comment and outreach to communication for getting public comment. There was also a DVR Administrative Update, a CSNA Response Review, and a CAP Report. Future agenda items were reviewed, including strategic planning efforts, the appointment of Dr. Alice Belcher, and a follow-up on the CSNA report.

The meeting agenda includes roll call and introductions, announcements, a quorum check, and approval of minutes from November 2024. Committee updates and member approvals will be discussed for various committees including Council Engagement, Performance Measures and Quality Assurance, Policy Review and Administration, Services to Business, and the Executive Committee, including a by-law update review. The agenda also features a CAP Report, a CSNA Presentation by the Public Consulting Group (PCG), a public comment session, a DVR Administrative Update, and a presentation from Blind or Visually Impaired Wisconsin Citizens. The meeting will conclude with a review of action items and identification of future agenda topics.