Children and Families

House COVID-19 Bill Offers Billions for Medicaid Expansion

Legislation would provide Wisconsin $1.3 billion if it expands Medicaid.

Evers Wants Funding for Child Care, Long Term Care

Budget proposal would address worker shortages, support vulnerable populations.

Gov. Evers Announces Hundreds of Millions in Investments Supporting Wisconsin’s Kids, Families, and Caregivers

Governor's budget proposal directs more than $140 million over biennium to address childcare quality, affordability, and access, invests more than $600 million in long-term care infrastructure

Gov. Evers Proposes Legalizing Marijuana, Investing Portion of Revenue in Equity Initiatives and Rural Schools

Governor’s proposal regulates and taxes marijuana much like alcohol, generates more than $165 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2023

WILL Represents Dane County Dance Studio in Fight Against Health Department Fines, Orders

Without warning, health department fined dance studio nearly $24,000 for video recording dances in small groups

Evers Names 30 Equity Council Members

Governor’s Advisory Council on Equity and Inclusion appointees include leaders from nonprofits, tribes, churches, community groups.

Gov. Evers, DCF Announce Wisconsin Awarded $30 Million Federal Grant for Early Care and Education

Milwaukee County Receives Nearly $5 Million Fatherhood FIRE Grant to Support Healthy Father Engagement Activities

AG Kaul Announces Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force Membership

October 15, 2020

Gov. Evers, DCF Secretary Amundson Announce $50 Million for Additional Child Care Counts Payments for Early Care and Education

Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to Health Equity Council

Gov. Evers Announces Additional CARES Act Funds for Early Care and Education

Personal protective equipment will also be available soon for regulated child care providers

Rep. Robyn Vining, WOW County Mothers Speak Out About Child Care Struggles

The COVID-19 Child Care Chasm

In Southeast Wisconsin, 61% of licensed providers closed, either temporarily or permanently.

Report Tallies COVID’s Economic Carnage

WEDC report also offers solutions. Wisconsin may only get one chance to make it right.

How Has COVID-19 Impacted Child Care Providers?

Two out of five child care providers were closed by May.

State Used Bulk of COVID-19 Relief for Businesses, Farms

New report from WEDC shows how the state spent $13.7 billion in federal and state aid.

Rep. Bowen Statement on Passing of Foster Care Activist Dosha Joi

“DJay Was a Tireless Advocate, and the Light of This Young Leader Will Be Sorely Missed”

Reports of Child Abuse Plummet

Down nearly 50% in state. Experts fear cases aren’t being reported.

Right-Wing Groups Linked to #ReopenWisconsin Campaign

Members of Americans for Prosperity, American Majority and John Birch Society have their hands in the campaign.

Gov. Evers Suspends Rules to Help Keep Youth Safe and Vital Services Functioning

Milwaukee County Executive

Crowley and Larson vie for the top executive position in Milwaukee County.

Gov. Evers Orders Scaling Down of all Child Care Settings

State’s Day Care Centers Still Open

Top state health official says need to keep centers open outweighs medical reasons to close.

County Executive Candidates

Crowley, Larson, Lipscomb and Nath vie to advance to general election, replace Chris Abele.

Gov. Evers Signs Sixteen Bipartisan Bills

No New State Office Building Until 2022?

Bauman warns of delays for 27th St. project; Near West Side Partners plans safeguards on deal.

AG Kaul, State Patrol, & DCF Announce Partnership with Convenience Store Industry to Combat Human Trafficking

Huge Drop in Refugees Resettled Since 2016

Wisconsin resettled 480 refugees in 2019, compared to nearly 1,877 in 2016.

Wisconsin Awarded Nearly $10 Million for Early Childhood Efforts

Lipscomb Seeks to End “Birth Tax”

Gov. Evers Signs Assembly Bill 52 Relating to Youth Homelessness

"No kid should have to worry about where they are going to sleep at night, but the reality is that there are thousands of homeless and unaccompanied kids across our state."

Deanna Alexander Announces She Will Not Seek Re-election to Board of Supervisors

"After three terms and eight years in office, I will keep the promise I made to the people of the 18th District and not seek re-election."

Northwest Side Community Development Corporation Awarded Two OCS CED Grants to Finance Social Enterprise Incubator and Athea Laboratories Expansion

NWSCDC to launch two economic development projects, growing jobs and entrepreneurship in Milwaukee.

Program Offers Formerly Incarcerated People a Career

UMOS TechHire program provides training in technology fields and skilled trades.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #43 Recreating the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission

"I am excited to recreate the Juvenile Justice Commission as a space for discussing innovations and best practices that Wisconsin should adopt across the entire spectrum of the juvenile justice system."

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #41 Recreating the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Gov. Evers Launches Back to School Health Resource for Parents

"A kid's ability to succeed in the classroom can be impacted by both their physical and mental health."

Low-Income Parents Priced Out Of Child Care

Report finds families' share of costs in state program keeps rising, often making it unaffordable.

State Rewards Top Child Care Centers

Department Of Children And Families now gives higher payments to higher rated providers.

Human Trafficking Still a Hidden Problem

State had more than 60 cases in 2018, but much of it undetected, experts say.

Gov. Evers Proclaims June 19th ‘Juneteenth Day’ in Wisconsin

"This is a time to recognize the struggles of African Americans in our country’s modern history."

Gov. Evers Announces Appointment of Linda A. Hall as Director of the Office of Children’s Mental Health

Ms. Hall will begin as director of the Office of Children’s Mental Health on July 8, 2019.

Evers Brings Back Pardon Review Board

Walker disbanded it, wouldn’t pardon anyone in his eight years as governor.

Gov. Evers Announces Pardon Advisory Board, Establishes Pardon Process

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will review eligible applications and make recommendations to Gov. Evers on who to grant a pardon to.

GOP Approves $558 Million Health Care Hike

But Republican budget rejects Medicaid expansion that would save the state $320 million, Evers notes.

Kids Sent Out of State for Mental Health Care

Wisconsin sends hundreds of children to other states for residential treatment as in-state beds decline.

Average UWM Student Debt Rose 194%

New study shows Wisconsin has more students in debt than 44 states. Any solution?

Evers Wants Study of Student Loan Debt

Average grad has $30,000 in debt, state's total student debt is $24 billion.

Rep. Robyn Vining Supports Safe Harbor Legislation

"The Safe Harbor Bill is a piece of common-sense legislation that helps protect trafficked youth."

Evers Announces Youth Prison for City

To be located on Teutonia Ave. and Mill Rd. Research shows facility near home enhances outcomes.

Evers Wants More Funds for Women’s Health

$28 million package would also restore Planned Parenthood’s funding.

Village of Cashton receives $112,500 state grant to support development of new day care facility

WEDC investment to help fund renovation of vacant office building in Monroe County

Marquette President Michael R. Lovell delivers fifth Presidential Address, announces new initiatives

Creation of Institute for Women’s Leadership, $250,000 President’s Challenge grant winner and varsity esports team announced

Rep. Robyn Vining Announces 2019-2020 Committee Assignments

"I want to thank Rep. Gordon Hintz for these committee appointments..."

Evers Taps Barca, Former Obama Official

Rep. Barca will run revenue department, Andrea Palm will run Health Services.

Governor-elect Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Barnes Announce Cabinet Members

"This talented group of leaders will help our administration address the issues Wisconsin residents asked us to focus on."

Low Wages, Lack of Benefits Fuel Child Care Worker Shortage

Despite certification programs, high turnover persists

Sex Traffickers Ensnare Youth Without Homes

Report: 25% of sex-trafficked youth in city were missing from faster care, group homes.

Governor-elect Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Barnes Announce “What’s Best for Kids” Advisory Council

"I’ve said from the beginning that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state..."

UWM Debuts Coordinated Master’s Degree in Public Health, Social Work

Priority deadline for fall 2019 applications is Jan. 3, 2019.

Ratings Rising for Child Care Centers

But state requirements may be pushing county’s smaller child care centers out of business.

Walker Mum About Medicaid Changes

He was going to get tough on Medicaid recipients, now runs away from the issue.

Northwest Side Community Development Corporation Awarded OCS CED Grant to Finance Argon Industries Expansion

NWSCDC to partner with MEDC to finance Argon Industries expansion; project will create 40 new jobs in Milwaukee.

State’s Child Care Programs Have Improved

Study of care for low-income families finds great improvement, though Milwaukee’s programs lagging.

Forced to Work for FoodShare

Is GOP legislation “life changing” or a waste of taxes? Hard to say since Walker vetoed study of program.

Senator Taylor Questions Well-being of Immigrant Children

"I'm deeply concerned that some of the children who have been dragged away from their loved ones may have been detained in our state."

Governor Announces Winner of the 35th Annual Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award

Ms. Stanford Taylor was honored at a ceremony in the Senate Parlor at the State Capitol this afternoon.

Annual World Refugee Day Celebration Scheduled for June 20

This year’s celebration, which is free and open to the public, will be at Zeidler Park from 10 am - 2 pm during the Westown Farmers Market.

First Lady Tonette Walker Recognizes 2018 Governor’s Foster Care Award Recipients

The Governor’s Foster Care Awards are given out annually to honor outstanding members of Wisconsin’s foster care community in recognition of Foster Care Month across Wisconsin.

International Institute of Wisconsin Names Marina Garza Croft Immigration Attorney

Sorry, but you do not have permission to view this content.

Metcalfe Park Residents Oppose Group Home

State would open residential assessment center for teens removed from their homes.

Child Care Centers Still Have Lead Pipes

City has so far replaced lead service lines at 163 of 347 facilities.

Governor Walker: We are Getting Positive Things Done for the People of Wisconsin

Governor Walker and the Legislature delivered results for the people of Wisconsin during a historic session.

Governor Walker Signs Wisconsin Works for Everyone Welfare Reform Plan

Welfare reform a key item on the Governor’s Ambitious Agenda for 2018

Combating the Opioid Crisis: Governor Walker Signs Bipartisan Bills on Opioids into Law

All 30 bills signed by the Governor were created as a part of the HOPE (Heroin, Opiate, Prevention, and Education) Agenda.

Governor Walker Signs Bills on Improving Family Access to High-Quality Child Care, Creating Transitional Jobs Program for Wisconsin Veterans, and Increasing Funding for Watershed Protection Grants

Governor Walker signs 64 bills into law at the Wisconsin State Capitol

Vote Today; Key Races Will Be Decided

A breakdown of everything on Milwaukee ballots.

Taylor and Bipartisan Legislators Introduce Juvenile Corrections Bill

"I am glad that what I have repeatedly said and advocated for in past years regarding juvenile corrections is finally getting traction from my colleagues."

The House of Fraud

Owner of Downer Woods home has a dozen different names and is charged with fraud.

Aurora Program Helps Women Refugees

Walker’s Point wellness clinic serves refugees from Somali, Syria, Iraqi, Myanmar.

Governor Walker Takes Additional Action to Fight Opioid Crisis

Wisconsin continues to lead the way forward

Wisconsin Works for Everyone: Governor Walker Calls for Special Session on Welfare Reform

"We want to remove barriers to work and make it easier to get a job, while making sure public assistance is available for those who truly need it."

Walker a Day Late and Dollar Short on Juvenile Corrections

"As usual, the governor is a day late and a dollar short on helping Wisconsin’s most vulnerable populations."

Jim Sullivan Will Head County Parks

Former state senator is new parks director, will be assisted by Jim Tarantino.

Northwest Side Community Development Corporation Awarded OCS Grant to Finance Diamond Precision Products Expansion

NWSCDC to partner with MEDC to finance Diamond Precision expansion; project will create new jobs by high-tech manufacturer of precision machined components.

Constance Palmer Named New CEO

Outreach Community Health Centers, Inc. Celebrates New Leadership

Tiny Homes Could Change Lives

Unique program will build 36 homes for young people aging out of foster care.

First Lady Tonette Walker Hosts First Spouses in Milwaukee to Discuss Trauma-Informed Care

The two-day conference focuses on Trauma-Informed Care,

First Lady Tonette Walker Meets with Representative Mike Gallagher on Trauma-Informed Care

They also discussed House Resolution 443 (H. Res. 443), the first trauma-specific bill initiated in the House with bipartisan support.

Governor Walker Unveils $11.1 Million in Small Business Financing

Which will provide new financing opportunities for the Transform Milwaukee area as well as statewide.

Governor Walker Highlights Economy, Workforce Development Investments in Milwaukee

During the past four years, Governor Walker has invested more than $200 million of state funding in workforce development

Potential Medicaid Changes

“A Threat Level that Low-Income Wisconsinites Have Never Seen”

Trump’s Massive Cost Shift to States

Under his budget state loses billions for health care, food stamps, schools.

Trump Budget’s Massive Medicaid Cut

At risk are 1.2 million Wisconsinites.

Supervisors Take Action to Address Child Abuse and Neglect

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks child abuse among America’s top public health crises.

Trump Budget Threatens State Spending

Impact could be huge: 29 percent of state budget funded by federal grants.

What They’re Saying About Speaker Paul Ryan and the House GOP’s Health Care Bill

Speaker Paul Ryan hasn't seen a warm reception to his conference's bill.

One Wisconsin Now Calls on Gov. Scott Walker to Host Wisconsin Town Hall

After Endless Invite-Only, Lobbyist-Riddled Events, Walker Tells Electeds at CPAC ‘Do What I Say, Not What I Do’

Senator Chris Larson Proposes Fix to CBD Treatment Barriers

“We cannot keep writing out prescriptions without a way for families to fill them in Wisconsin.”