Supporting Wisconsin’s Children and Families
We
want to ensure that all of Wisconsin’s children have the opportunity to
succeed, regardless of their circumstances.
That’s
why I signed an 11-bill package into law today addressing the unique challenges
facing foster youth, foster parents, and caseworkers across the state.
This
package of foster care bills was developed by the Speaker's Task Force on
Foster Care with the goal of better assisting
families and children once they've entered the system, and well after they age
out of it.
We
took a big step towards achieving those goals this week with the signing of six bills at the Children’s Hospital of
Wisconsin in Wausau and five bills at the La Crosse County Administrative Center in La Crosse with Representative Patrick
Snyder (R – Schofield) and Representative Steve Doyle (D – Onalaska), co-chairs
of the 2017 Speaker’s Task Force on Foster Care. Thanks to the efforts
of this bipartisan task force, all of these bills received broad bipartisan
support.
We are committed to making sure all of Wisconsin’s children and families
have every chance to enjoy bright futures.
Delivering Results
We
are delivering on Wisconsin’s priorities.
Earlier
this week, I signed bills improving family access to high-quality child care,
creating a transitional jobs program at the Department of Workforce Development
for our veterans, increasing funding for watershed protection grants, and more
at the Capitol.
Together,
we are moving Wisconsin Forward.
Wisconsin & Norway:
Bringing Trauma-Informed Care to the Global Stage
This
week my wife, Tonette, led a governmental delegation from Oslo, Norway around
the state to discuss Wisconsin’s leadership in incorporating and implementing
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC).
When trauma
is experienced as a child, the unmitigated toxic stress created by these
experiences can change brain chemistry, shape educational outcomes, and
influence a person’s future health and well-being. Research shows a strong link between the number of
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult health outcomes. As the number
of reported ACEs increase, the greater a person’s risk becomes for cancer,
diabetes, depression, alcoholism, drug use, smoking, suicide, homelessness, and
more.
Trauma-Informed
Care is a way to help improve outcomes for children and adults with traumatic
experiences. Here in Wisconsin, we’ve been using TIC for this very purpose. The
Menominee Nation, the Sojourner Family Peace Center, the Boys and Girls Club of
Green Bay, and the Waupaca County Department of Health and Human Services all use
TIC to help Wisconsinites address trauma and lead more productive
and fulfilling lives.
When the Norwegian delegation
came to Tonette, it was to learn more about what she is doing and to hear about these success stories. TIC is
making a difference here, and it can make a difference everywhere.
Under Tonette’s leadership, we are going to keep working here in
Wisconsin to further incorporate TIC and we look forward to seeing the changes
that the Norwegian delegation makes to create trauma-informed communities.
We enjoy sharing all the great news about our state with you. It is an honor to serve as your Governor and represent the people of Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
 Governor Scott Walker
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