Domestic Abuse Information for Workers

In Wisconsin, guardians ad litem (GALs) are attorneys who are charged with representing the best interest of children when child custody and placement is disputed. When domestic abuse has occurred, GALs have a critical role to play in protecting the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims and their children.

The Domestic Abuse Guidebook for Wisconsin Guardians ad Litem: Addressing Custody, Placement, and Safety Issues is a comprehensive, step-by-step manual for approaching the consequential issue of domestic abuse in child custody and placement actions.  The Guidebook is created by the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse and End Domestic Abuse WI.

The Domestic Violence Handbook for Child Welfare Workers provides information for Child Protective Services staff for cases in which domestic violence coexists with child maltreatment.

• Developing a Language Access Plan was created by the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse – Access Committee. It is a resource for domestic violence advocacy programs to develop and/or improve their own Language Access Plan to ensure all survivors of domestic abuse, regardless of language barriers, receive access to all services


• Operating a Domestic Abuse Program: A Fair Minimum was created by the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse – Budget Committee. It provides guidance for communities, funders and Board of Directors on what a budget through a DCF Basic Services grant should potentially include.


• The Resource Guide on Developing a Memorandum of Understanding Between a Domestic Abuse Program and a Child Protective Services Agency provides guidance on how to establish and maintain a collaborative working relationship between both agencies.


• Webinars for Domestic Abuse Workers/Partners (located in the Program & Services section) provides useful information on issues of interest to domestic abuse programs, including completing the annual Domestic Abuse Program Report and Collecting Outcomes.


• Resources to Help Meet Grant Requirements provides domestic abuse programs with a limited number of resources that can help programs meet selected DCF grant requirements.


• Domestic Abuse Contract Budget Revision Request Form (DCF-F-5211-E) should be completed and returned to the contract administrator when a transfer of funds between line item budget categories of your contract budget will vary by more than 20%.


• Matching Funds for Domestic Abuse Programs will assist programs in understanding their match requirements for DCF grants.

The Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse (Council) advises the Department of Children and Families and the legislature on domestic abuse funding and policy issues. The Council also serves as a sounding board and resource for citizens of the State on domestic abuse issues.

The Council consists of thirteen members appointed for three-year terms. Of those 13 members, nine are nominated by the Governor, with advice and consent of the Senate. The other members are designated, for appointment by the Governor, by the Speaker of the Assembly, and the minority leader in each house of the legislature. Persons appointed have a recognized interest in and knowledge of domestic abuse issues.

The Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse, in collaboration with End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, has created a six-year plan with recommendations for funding domestic abuse services. Access the plan on the Wisconsin DV Plan website.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Domestic Abuse Program administers state and federal funding dedicated to providing emergency shelter and support services for victims of domestic violence and their families. In addition to supporting direct services for victims and their families, DCF also supports primary prevention efforts.

The Domestic Violence Grant Program Annual Report is based upon the federal fiscal year (October 1st - September 30th).

As of January 2, 2023 there is an opportunity for tribal sexual assault or tribal dual domestic abuse/sexual assault agencies to pursue funding for the support of sexual assault survivors. The application period for the Tribal Support Services for Sexual Assault Survivors funding will remain open until 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

• Tribal Support Services application
• Tribal Support Services instructions
• Tribal Support Services budget workbook