1. Agency Updates
Barry reported Domestic Abuse Intervention Services' text line launched in October and
has been yielding meaningful connections, particularly among younger people. DAIS is
hiring for several positions. The New Director of Administration is scheduled to start on
April 24. The Housing First Program, piloted through State of Wisconsin's Department of
Children and Families, is a great resource for victims of intimate partner violence.
Ginsburg reported Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center continues to increase services
and new programming, and that crisis intervention is going well. Advocates have been
able to help youth in need of services. New crisis intervention program staff have more
experience and education.
Freeman reported Dane County Adult Protective Services is fully staffed. APS conducted
566 investigations in 2022, an increase of about 130 over 2021. Financial exploitation had
traditionally been the most common reason for an investigation, but self-neglect
surpassed it in 2022. The APS Help Line received approximately 3,500 calls in 2022.
Freeman will meet this month with representatives from surrounding counties to begin a
discussion about creating a dementia diversion setting to keep individuals in crisis close
to home when they require stabilization or support.
Le Monds, reporting for Dane County's Children, Youth and Families Division, stated
State Representative Sheila Stubbs has been appointed Dane County Human Services
Director by County Executive Joe Parisi. Dane County departments are starting the 2024
budget process. New employees will start soon in positions approved in the 2023 budget.
Retaining staff has been difficult in CYF, particularly in CPS, which has taken a toll on
senior staff who are filling the gaps. Youth Justice has a new 17-25 year old coordinator,
which has been a major need for some time.
Brown, reporting for the Dane County District Attorney's Office, stated April is Crime
Victim Month as well as Child Abuse Prevention and Family Strengthening Month, giving
the office a rare chance to engage in prevention work. A new child abuse prevention
video will be released. Brown met with the state's Joint Finance Committee about Marsy's
Law, and the immense increase in workload the legislation caused. Brown requested that
the Governor's Budget be approved.
Statam reported Anesis Therapy is close to fully staffed. but the wait list for services
remains long. Anesis is referring families that don't qualify for its programs to CPS.
Lt. Woehrle reported Wisconsin Internet Crimes against Children Conference is
happening April 17-18 in Madison. The Madison Police Department is looking into
different outreach initiatives regarding human trafficking and other concerning areas.
Kalpic reported her organization, Marsy's Law Wisconsin, is teaming with the Wisconsin
Department of Justice's Crime Victims Services office to host the 2nd Annual Wisconsin
Crime Victims' Rights Conference on April 20 and 21. Registration remains open.
