LRB-0183/1
GMM:jld:jf
2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Grimsrud, BB0055 - Alternative responses pilot program
For 2011-13 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
health and human services
Children
Current law requires DCF to establish a pilot program under which a county department of human services or social services (county department) or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more (Milwaukee County), DCF or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with DCF (collectively "agency") may employ alternative responses to a report of suspected or threatened child abuse or neglect. Under the pilot program, a county department or agency must respond to such a report as follows:
1. By investigating the report and determining whether child abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur, if there is reason to suspect that substantial abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur or if an investigation is otherwise necessary to ensure the safety of the child and his or her family.
2. By conducting a comprehensive assessment of the safety of the child and his or her family, the risk of subsequent abuse or neglect, and the strengths and needs of the child's family to determine whether services are needed and offering those services on a voluntary basis, if there is reason to suspect that abuse or neglect, other than substantial abuse or neglect, has occurred or is likely to occur, but there is no immediate threat to the safety of the child or his or her family and intervention by the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under the Children's Code is not necessary.
3. By referring the child's family to a service provider in the community for the provision of appropriate services on a voluntary basis, if there is no reason to suspect that abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur.
Current law permits DCF to select one agency in Milwaukee County and not more than four county departments to participate in the pilot program. This bill eliminates those caps on the number of agencies or county departments that DCF may select to participate in the pilot program.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 48.981 (3m) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.981 (3m) (b) (intro.) The department shall establish a pilot program under which an agency in a county having a population of 500,000 or more or a county department that is selected to participate in the pilot program may employ alternative responses to a report of abuse or neglect or of threatened abuse or neglect. The department shall select an agency in a county having a population of 500,000 or more and not more than 4 agencies and county departments to participate in the pilot program in accordance with the department's request-for-proposal procedures and according to criteria developed by the department. Those criteria shall include an assessment of the plan of an agency or county department for involving the community in providing services for a family that is participating in the pilot program and a determination of whether an agency or a county department has an agreement with local law enforcement agencies and the representative of the public under s. 48.09 to ensure interagency cooperation in implementing the pilot program. To implement the pilot program, the department shall provide all of the following:
(End)
