Wisconsin Works (W-2) Background, Philosophy and Goals
Background
Wisconsin Works (W-2) was implemented statewide in 1997, the result of 10 years of successful innovation in welfare reform and a tradition of leadership in social policy. W-2 builds and strengthens the connection between work and self-sufficiency, helping families become productive members of their communities.
W-2 offers a wide array of supportive services provided by community resources, the business community, advocate groups and government. This collaborative environment translates into jobs and positive community involvement for low-income workers statewide.
There are 48 W-2 agencies in Wisconsin, consisting of a mix of private (for-profit or non-profit) and public (county government) agencies. All W-2 agencies are either co-located or electronically linked to Wisconsin Job Centers for access to career planning, job placement and advancement and training at the local level.
W-2 is also part of a larger effort in Wisconsin: to help all citizens share in the employment goals of self-sufficiency for families and to create a world class workforce in Wisconsin.
Philosophy and Goals
Wisconsin's residents are its most valuable resource. Some residents are unemployed due to poor education, poor job skills and other barriers to employment. These problems not only limit individual achievement, but they also hold back the state's economic growth.
The goal of Wisconsin Works (W-2) is to provide necessary and appropriate services to prepare individuals to work, and to obtain and maintain viable, self-sustaining employment, which will promote economic growth. W-2 is one of several work-based programs designed to ensure that everyone in Wisconsin shares in our economic opportunities.
W-2 accomplishes this goal by providing needed services in a comprehensive fashion. Services include job readiness motivation, job retention and advancement skill training as well as childcare. W-2 employment and training services are available to any eligible Wisconsin resident unable to sustain employment or advance in the job market. W-2 services are not limited to recipients of cash assistance.
W-2 policies are guided by the consistent application of the following philosophical principles:
- Substantially all citizens want to be able to support their families, want to be economically self-sufficient and want to be employable members of the workforce.
- W-2 shall be participant friendly. Each W-2 agency shall explain the full spectrum of employment, education, and training and supportive services available to assist individuals and families to transition into the workforce. When individuals and families are given adequate information about employment services, they will make an informed choice about whether or not to pursue those services.
- Individuals determined to be eligible for participation in W-2 are obligated to cooperate with their employability plans or face sanctions. W-2 agencies rendering the services are obliged to properly and carefully assess each individual's specific needs in order to promote success in transitioning into the workforce.
- Families are the foundation of society and are the vehicle through which children are nurtured and protected. W-2 programs and policies designed to assist participants in family formation will be evaluated in light of how well they strengthen and promote healthy, nurturing, and economically secure families where both parents are responsible.
- W-2 agencies will assist families with multiple barriers to employment, ensure that all participants have equal access to the full spectrum of resources, and avoid arbitrary and inappropriate sanctions.
- All programs and services shall be rendered in a fair and just manner, including adverse actions such as denials and sanctions, and participants will be informed of their appeal rights.
- Individuals are part of various communities of people and places. W-2 operates in ways that enhance the manner in which communities support individual efforts to achieve self-sufficiency.
- W-2 goals are best achieved by working with providers, who are committed to customer-friendly service, who partner with employers and other service providers, who are innovative, and who strive to continuously improve the provision of service.
The Department holds these philosophical principles as guidelines as it administers the W-2 and Related Programs. In addition, the Department requires that its W-2 agency providers be leaders in assuring effective planning and coordination with other work, training, income maintenance and related service providers on behalf of W-2 participants.
For more information on the W-2 and Related Programs, see the W-2 Manual.