| FUND: GENERAL |
HUMAN SERVICES |
Sara Werner, Interim Director
The Human Services Department provides or purchases a wide
range of aids and services for the elderly, mentally ill, developmentally
disabled, physically disabled, abused and neglected children, alcohol and drug
abusers, juvenile delinquents and status offenders. Statutory authority for the
department may be found in Chapters 48, 4 and 938 of the State Statutes. Section
938.22 also authorizes the county to operate a secure juvenile detention
facility.
Chapter 49 of the Wisconsin Statutes authorizes the Department to administer
public welfare programs, including Wisconsin Works, Food Stamps, and Medicaid.
In addition, the Department acts as the fiscal agent for the tri-county
Workforce Investment Act program.
The Department also includes the Child Support Division. The operating authority
for the Child Support Division is found in chapter 59 of the Wisconsin State
Statutes.
The Department administers funding for rabies control, through a contract with
the City of Racine Health Department, costs associated with the County Health
Officer, a subsidy for the Community Action Agency and the Pharmaceutical
program through a contract with the Health Care Network.
In 2001, we provided services to over 10,000
Racine County residents.
We maintained funding for early intervention
and prevention programs and managed the cutbacks in State/Federal funds by using
money from our stabilization fund. As a result, we saw decreases in foster care
and correctional admissions, and a reduction in program waiting lists.
Child Support achieved the State standards for
paternity establishment and was awarded the Certificate of Excellence.
The Workforce Development Center was awarded
the Pyramid Award in recognition of its achievements.
We provided financial support to an average
monthly caseload of 13,394 County residents; this was a 20% increase from the
previous year.
We protected children and strengthened
families. Referrals for child abuse/neglect dropped off by 5% in 2001. In
addition, Racine County Human Services Department was recognized by the Governor
for its outstanding effort in finding permanent placements for 125 children in
foster care which included terminating parental rights in 54 cases.
We protected the community and held juveniles
accountable for their crimes and provided service to 1,671 delinquents.
We prevented institutionalization by providing
quality services. Our waiver programs served 265 clients at a cost of $7.8
million dollars. In addition, mental health inpatient utilization at the State
Institutions decreased by 49% in 2001, while the cost of providing emergency
services increased at St. Luke Hospital.
