1. Agency Updates
Barry reported that Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) is short-staffed in its
shelter. Planning is underway for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Tickets are
available for the Dance for DAIS fundraiser on June 2 at Garver Feed Mill. The Court
Watch Report is nearing completion. The Wisconsin Department of Children and
Families changed its formula for the Basic Services Grant for domestic violence funding
and DAIS lost $109,000 that had been helping fund the shelter. The state distributed
American Rescue Plan Act funding for 2023 to make up for the loss. DCF will visit the
DAIS shelter in June to learn about the impact of the lost funding.
Freeman reported Dane County Adult Protective Services (APS) continues to offer
community trainings. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 17. APS is fully staffed
for the first time in approximately three years. Planning for the 2024 budget is
underway. The $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding directed to mitigating
hoarding is nearly exhausted.
Le Monds thanked Supervisors April Kigeya and Dana Pellebon for their work on the
County Board. There has been no information shared with employees on a timeline for
hiring a new DCDHS Director. Youth Justice is planning a number of sumer initiatives to
keep youth engaged. Child Protection Services is hiring a manager to co-lead the unit
with current CPS Manager Julie Ahnen.
Ginsburg reported Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center is fully staffed.
Brown, director of the Dane County District Attorney Office's Victim Witness Unit,
reported the Wisconsin Supreme Count ruled against Shiffra-Green motions that ask a
judge to inspect a victim's mental health records and potentially share them with the
defendant. Barriers have been removed for Spanish-speaking victims accessing
services and a new LTE bilingual case manager position was recently posted. Marlys
Howe, the Domestic Violence Unit manager in the District Attorney's Office, recently
received a statewide award for victim advocacy services. The office is preparing for a
reduction in Victims of Crime Act funding.
Pellebon reported Rape Crisis Center had its most participatory Sexual Assault
Awareness Month in years. RCC has begun the hiring process for a licensed clinical
therapist, a therapist in training, two CCS workers, a prevention specialist, a
multicultural outreach specialist and two bilingual, bicultural advocates. RCC is
preparing for its 50th anniversary on July 27 at Brittingham Park.
Kato reported The Rainbow Project was involved in National Child Abuse Awareness
Month, National Trauma Awareness Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month
activities in May. A recent stakeholder forum was very successful. The Rhumba 4
Rainbow fundraiser is scheduled for September 8. The organization is receiving more
requests for grief and loss programming. Work continues in conjunction with other
agencies on gun violence prevention.
Gittens-Escudero reported UNIDOS is in the process of hiring an assistant director.
There's currently a high need for legal advocacy and restraining orders and the waitlist
for counseling services is lengthy.
Kalpic reported the Wisconsin Supreme Court today ruled that Marsy's Law, an
amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution expanding crime victims’ rights, was properly
worded in a statewide referendum and legally adopted. The decision overturned a Dane
County judge’s decision that the ballot description of the amendment didn’t adequately
inform voters that it would diminish criminal defendants’ rights.
Howe reported Supervisor Pellebon helped the District Attorney's Office gain Dane
County Board approval for its three-year Violence Against Women Act Grant-funded
