CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Coordinator      Sandy Hoefert      (262) 335 - 4610

Strengthening Families, Protecting Children and Enhancing Our Community

The services of the Children and Families division support and enhance safe, responsible family functioning and the protection of children and our community.  We help families to identify unsafe/risky behaviors and overcome struggles that limit ability to properly care for their children, including those challenged by disabilities.  Our juvenile supervision services hold young people accountable for their behavior and assist them in developing the skills and abilities necessary to lead a safe productive life.

Assistance is provided through:

• Child Abuse and Neglect Services - Supervision, safety, case management, counseling, out-of-home placement
  
  The Department has statutory responsibility for investigating situations where it is suspected that children have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected. Safety intervention services are provided to the child while family assessment and services are initiated. While providing protection for the children, the focus is on assisting the family to successfully manage stressful situations and enhance their ability to function as a responsible, nurturing unit. Coordination with mental health services, parent education programs, law enforcement, schools, and substance abuse programs is important to ensure the needs of the children and parents are met.
  
  Services may include: 
        -Investigation & Assessment for Physical, Sexual or Emotional Abuse or  Neglect Situations
        -Safety Services & Plans
        -Family Based Counseling
        -Parenting Skills Training
        -Supervision & Case Management
        -Out of Home Placement
  
  To report possible child abuse or neglect situations call Family Intake at (262)335-4888.
  

  Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin
  Child Welfare Information
  Kinship Care

• Juvenile Justice Services - Supervision, restitution, community service, out-of-home placement
  
        The primary goal of Juvenile Justice Services is to prevent or reduce uncontrollable and/or delinquent behavior.  In addition to redirecting the juvenile's behavior, attention and intervention efforts are given to strengthen parental control and functioning.  The balanced approach of juvenile justice addresses community protection, youth accountability and the development of youth's and parents' competencies.  Services are court ordered and frequently utilize collateral resources.  Close coordination with law enforcement, schools, Court System, District Attorney's Office, and other counseling service agencies are maintained.
  



• Family Court - Legal custody and physical placement studies
  
  

• Foster Care Services - Recruits, licenses and trains foster parents and ensures a safe, suitable foster or adult family home when needed
  
       Foster care is a temporary alternative to a child's natural home when that home becomes socially, emotionally or physically inadequate for the child's needs. Foster children range in age from infant to 18. All foster children have unique backgrounds, experiences, personalities, strengths and weaknesses. Some may require extensive care for physical or emotional handicaps or disabilities. Many foster children have been victims of physical or sexual abuse, some have suffered neglect and some children and infants require medical care. Here are some basic questions answered about foster parenting:
  
  -The basic requirements to be a foster parent are that you must 21 years of age or older and a responsible, mature individual. You, your family and a social worker will meet several times to discuss foster parenting and your background.
  
  -Foster parents receive money for the room, board and other living expenses from the placement agency. There are also supplemental payments for the care of children with special needs.
  
  -Foster children are covered by Title XIX (medical assistance) or the insurance of their parents.
  
  -Usually the children will have visits with their parents. Your social worker will help schedule the visits and make travel arrangements. You can take a foster child on vacation, however you must get prior approval from the supervising agency.
  
  -Most foster children are not available for adoption. If a child does become adoptable, the foster family may apply.
  
  -There are certain sleeping arrangements for a foster child. Children over one year old may not share a bedroom with an adult. Children over six years old may not share a bedroom with a child of the opposite sex and each foster child must have his or her own bed.
  
  -Recruitment
  -Licensing/Assessment
  -Training/Support
  -Placement Services
  
  Any other questions call Pam at (262)335-4665.
  
  

• Long-term Support Services - For children age birth to three, families and those with children with intensive care needs
  

• Child Care Certification - Certification of day care providers for care of children whose parents are working and are eligible for day care subsidy or day care as part of a protective service plan.

          Call Human Services at (262)335-4687 for
             more information regarding:
            -Information About Certification
            -Certification Assessment
            -Home Visits
            -Criminal Background Checks
      

           Community Coordinated Child Care (4 C's)



For more information on any
of the programs please call (262)335-4610.