For Immediate Release
April 2, 2012
Contact: Sara Buschman or Laurel Patrick, Department of Children and Families, (608) 266-9000
"Best Outcomes for Children" Legislation Signed Into Law
Today, Governor Walker signed the "Best Outcomes for Children", Senate Bill 502, into law. The bill will result in more children in the foster care system retuning home in a safe and timely manner or find loving, permanent homes in a timely manner.
"The safety and well-being of our children is vital to Wisconsin's future and we must continue to work to ensure the best outcomes for kids in foster care and other out-of-home care," said Secretary Eloise Anderson. "This bill will help us improve our services and systems, in order to continue improving the lives of children across the state."
The child welfare system in Wisconsin is state supervised but county operated, with the exception of Milwaukee County, which is operated by the Department's Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is responsible for providing statewide leadership and supervision of child welfare standards and practices, administering state and federal funds, and ensuring compliance with state and federal law.
SB 502 also brings Wisconsin law into conformity with federal standards and nationally recognized best practices for children in out-of-home care and will ensure Wisconsin continues to receive federal funding for our child welfare system.
"Protecting the safety and well-being of our state's most vulnerable children is an issue we can all support," said Secretary Anderson. "I would like to thank the Legislature, under the leadership of Senator Mary Lazich and Representative Samantha Kerkman, for unanimously passing SB 502 and Governor Walker for signing it into law."
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