Wisconsin Works (W-2) is an employment and training program that provides time limited benefits to participants who are willing to establish and maintain goal plans that address barriers to employment and identify necessary activities to assist participants in overcoming those barriers. The W-2 time limit policy is designed to encourage and assist participants in finding and maintaining employment and reducing reliance on government assistance. Participants are encouraged to set goals that will increase the skills necessary to obtain unsubsidized employment and enter the workforce as quickly as possible.

This process not only leads to self-sufficiency, but it also allows the participant to save valuable time on W-2 in the event that they are faced with crises in the future and may again need temporary financial assistance. For this reason, the time limit policy and the time remaining is discussed with individuals beginning with the W-2 application stage and throughout their participation in W-2. Due to the time-limited function of W-2, early identification, referral, and collaboration with treatment providers and other community agencies will maximize the effective use of the participants' time for those who are willing to address their chemical dependency as a barrier to employment.

It is extremely painful to stand by and watch someone's life be destroyed. Yet that's the position many people find themselves in when a chemically dependent person denies having a problem with alcohol or other drugs. Some say that an addict or alcoholic has to hit bottom before they can get help. This is not necessarily true. When we refuse to take responsibility for other people's alcohol or drug use, we allow them to face the natural consequences of their behavior. W-2 participants must participate in all required work training hours and activities outlined in the Employability Plan. Therefore, any required treatment services and related activities, such as the initial assessment and treatment appointments, must be included in Part 3 of the W-2 participant's Employability Plan. The key is to stop being responsible for others and be responsive to them and to ourselves. This approach may be necessary in reaching those who refuse to address their barriers to employment, and may be the tool that will indeed raise the bottom.