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Dane County Department of Human Services |
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Children, Youth, and Families
Description | General
Eligibility | How to Apply Description
Through its Public Health Division and Children, Youth, and Families Division the Dane County Department of Human Services offers an array of services with the mission of contributing to an environment where children, youth, and their families can participate successfully in the community.
Services are available to Dane County residents. However, Public Health Services are available only to those Dane County residents living outside of the City of Madison with the following exceptions: the Immunization Program, Seal Dane Program, Tobacco Free Dane County Coalition, and the WI Well Woman Program. There is no direct cost for most services. There may be eligibility requirements for some program and services.
Any application requirements are listed under the specific service.
Services provided include:
Child Protective Services Child Protective Services - Dane County Department of Human Services offers an array of services both directly and through purchase of service agencies for families and children who experience child abuse and/or neglect. This link also provides information on reporting child abuse and neglect concerns. Pregnancy and Early Childhood Services Allied Drive Early Childhood Initiative - The Allied Drive Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) brings services to children and families in Madison's Allied Drive neighborhood. The ECI focuses on children (ages birth-to-four), and their parents, in families in which parents may experience income, housing, job readiness, parenting skills, alcohol and other drug abuse, or mental health issues, or other issues. The ECI strives to increase families' access to prenatal care, health and developmental screening and assessment, parenting education and support, immunizations and other preventative health care, basic needs assistance, and employment related assistance. This is accomplished by support of a Family Support Specialist who delivers Home Visitation services, a neighborhood Resident Partner who providers mentoring and other assistance, and an Employment and Training Specialist who works with parents and caregivers to overcome obstacles to employment. The ECI is supported by Dane County, Madison Community Foundation, and Wisconsin Partnership Fund monies. For services, contact the Allied Drive ECI Coordinator at (608) 273-6600. Birth to Three Program - This is Wisconsin's early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. Birth to Three services include therapy and service coordination that are provided in the child's natural environment, (e.g., home, day care, etc.). Some of the services and supports that might be provided to meet the developmental outcomes identified for a child as part of the Individualized Family Services Plan include: family education, developmental education services, communication services, related health services, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. In Dane County, Birth to Three Services are operated by Imagine a Child's Capacity and United Cerebral Palsy. Please see the State of Wisconsin's Birth to Three web site for more information on this statewide program. Parents are expected to contribute to the cost of this service. To apply: For persons living in the Madison Metropolitan School District, contact Imagine a Child's Capacity at (608) 204-6242. For persons living outside the Madison Metropolitan School District, contact United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Dane County at (608) 273-3232. Public Health Pregnancy and Child Health Services - Public health nurses provide education and support for: pregnant women who need help and support during pregnancy and following the birth of a baby; families needing help with parenting concerns; breastfeeding women; and home safety. Services include health assessment, health education, help finding medical care and financial assistance, and follow-up and referral to community services. This link provides information on:
Children's Mental Health Children's Mental Health - The Children Youth and Families Division offers a variety of mental health services for children and youth via a purchase of service system. Service areas include individual, group, and family counseling, day treatment, crisis services and risk assessment, advocacy and support services for parents, wraparound services and case management, and community support programming for teens with a severe and persistent mental illness. Delinquency Services Delinquency Services - The Dane County Department of Human Services offers an array of services both directly and through purchase of service agencies for youth who are delinquent or at risk for delinquency. Programming is founded in the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model. This model calls for juveniles to be held accountable for their behaviors, agencies to assist juveniles in building desirable competencies, and communities to be assured protection. Youth Services Youth Resource Centers - Youth Resource Centers are places tailored to meet the needs of middle school age youth in the neighborhood or community in which they live. Centers provide youth with safe, supervised places to be during non-school hours (after school, weekends, summer). Centers provide such activities as: video and electronic games, snacks, interest groups and clubs, job boards, community volunteer projects, as well as, provide a safe place to hang out. Support and Resources for Families First Steps - The First Steps initiative promotes healthy children and families, and community in the Dane County portion of the community served by the Wisconsin Heights School District. Examples of the rural northwestern Dane County communities served include Black Earth and Mazomanie. First Steps is focused on all families who are expecting a baby, have a newborn, or have pre-school age children. The initiative seeks to link participants with information and parenting education, as well as, engage parents in an effective community support network. Family support specialist and public health nursing services are available to those who wish to participate. Participants are encouraged to use the School District's two family resource centers as well. There is no fee for services. Community partners include the Joining Forces for Families Initiative and the Public Health Division of Dane County Department of Human Services, Wisconsin Heights School District, Exchange Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Inc., Children's Service Society of WI, Meriter Hospital, Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, parents, the faith community, local businesses, and others. For more information, contact: Dianne Roelke at (608) 767-2737, ext. 115 Joining Forces for Families - The Joining Forces for Families (JFF) program is an award-winning prevention and early intervention services collaboration facilitated by the Department. JFF serves families in select Madison neighborhoods and every Dane County community. Partners include area school districts, City and County public health departments, local and county law enforcement agencies, and others. The Department provides one manager and 15 professional staff to provide services to children and families at risk of involvement in formal services systems. Teams service children and families at individual, family, neighborhood, and community levels alike. For more information, contact the JFF Community Program Manager at (608) 242-6325. Kinship Care - Kinship Care is a State of Wisconsin program administered by Dane County. Kinship Care provides a monthly stipend along with childcare assistance and medical assistance for children who are cared for by relatives. To apply, contact Dane County Department of Human Services at (608) 242-6382.
There is no cost for most Public Health Nursing programs, the Allied Early Childhood Initiative, First Steps, the Youth Resource Centers, Joining Forces for Families, and the Neighborhood Intervention Program (described under Delinquency Services). Some services, such as Birth to Three, have a parental cost share, based on the ability to pay, that is assessed for services.
Information on childcare services Information on services for children with developmental disabilities Information on Public Health Nursing services Information on the Dane County Youth Commission 2-1-1 Information and Referral Database - This link is to the United Way of Dane County's searchable Information and Referral database. This can provide assistance in looking for resources for food, housing, and more. Dane County Cooperative Extension - This link provides information on child development, building strong families, and parenting resources. Healthy Kids Corner - This is a link to the State's web site that is devoted to keeping children healthy.
Bob Lee, Division Administrator For information on Public Health Nursing Services, contact the Public Health Intake Nurse at (608) 242-6520.
For more information on Language Services, please visit out Language Services page. |
Copyright © 2006 Dane County Department of Human Services
