Wisconsin Teen Parent Resources

These resources were developed through the collaborative work of a number of work groups (Health Care Community, Subsequent Pregnancy Prevention, Schools & Education).

Whenever possible, website addresses have been included with each program description listed below.

Program Descriptions

BadgerCare	Birth to 3 Program	Children with Special Health Care Needs	Domestic Violence Centers
Family Planning Clinics	Family Resource Centers	Grandparents/Relatives Raising and Nurturing Dependent Children (GRAND) Resource Guide	Healthy Start
Prenatal Care Coordination	Public Health Departments	Safe Place for Newborns	Safe and Stable Families Program (formerly Family Preservation and Support)
Sexual Assault Service Providers	Wisconsin Abstinence Initiative for Youth (WAIY)	Wisconsin Adoption Information Center	Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services
Wisconsin Child Support Program	Wisconsin Maternal and Child Health Hotline	Wisconsin Medicaid	Wisconsin Works (W-2)
Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC)		Workforce and Career Development Services

Other Resources

Helping Ensure the Success of Teen Parents and their Children

Pregnant Teens and Mental Health

Instruction and Services for School-Age Parents

Contracting with Technical Colleges and Other Ways to Complete High School
dpi.wi.gov/cte/pdf/alted-tc-contract.pdf

Electronically Available Information and Resources

BadgerCare

Program Description

BadgerCare is a state program that provides comprehensive health insurance for uninsured, income-eligible families with dependent children. Covered services include:

Prevention services such as doctor visits, prenatal care, preventive checkups, and immunizations
Vision care, including eyeglasses
Prescription drugs, including smoking cessation products
Family planning services and supplies
Speech therapy
Mental health services
Medical equipment
Hospital care
Auditory services, including hearing aids
Lab and radiological services
Dental services
Transportation to BadgerCare services

Eligibility Guidelines

Eligibility is based upon income. Families below 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) pay no premiums. Families between 150% and 185% of FPL pay a monthly premium that is no more than 3% of the family income. The family must have children under age 19 years living in the household and be without health insurance coverage. There is no limit on assets.

Access to Services

Interested families should contact their county/tribal human/social services department or their local W-2 agency directly to apply. A two-page mail-in application is available from county social services offices. Information on BadgerCare can be found at dhs.wi.gov/badgercareplus. More information, including whether or not a particular family may be eligible, can be obtained by calling (800) 362-3002.

BIRTH To 3 Program

Program Description

Birth to 3 is Wisconsin's early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. A federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provides a framework for a comprehensive program and coordinates developmental, health and social services within the community. The Department of Health and Family Services oversees the Birth to 3 Program in Wisconsin and has developed rules (HFS 90) that specify the program requirements.

The earlier a child's developmental delays are discovered, the more opportunities there are for a child to increase skills and abilities. The goal is to help children participate in their communities. In addition to the skills the child develops, Birth to 3 Programs are committed to providing services in a way that makes sense for each family. This "family-centered" program recognizes the importance of parents, family and friends in a young child's life. The early intervention team will provide ideas and techniques to help a family enhance their child's development and learning potential.

If the child is eligible for the program, the service coordinator works with the family to see that the family and their child receive the services and supports they need within the family's natural environment. The service coordinator and other early intervention staff meet with the family to discuss the child's developmental strengths and needs. This team, including the parents, determines what services and supports would enhance the child's development and prepares a plan to provide supports and services within the family's typical routines and activities. The plan is called an Individualized Family Service Plan or IFSP. Some of the services and supports that might be provided to meet the developmental outcomes identified in an IFSP include:

family education
developmental education services
communication services
related health services
occupational therapy
physical therapy

Specific rights for children and families are built into the Birth to 3 Program. Some of these rights include:

Parents must give written consent for any evaluations, assessments or services.
Participation is voluntary, so parents can refuse any services, evaluations, or assessments.
Records will be kept confidential.
Parents can review or request corrections to the child's and family's records.
Parents have a right to disagree with decisions regarding their child's eligibility or the provision of appropriate services to their child and family.

Eligibility Guidelines

The Birth to 3 Program is for children ages birth to 36 months. Eligibility is based on a diagnosed disability or significant delay in one or more areas of development. Services and support a child and family receive is on based on individual needs. Eligibility for this program is not affected by the family's income; however, parents may need to contribute to the costs of services.

To determine eligibility, a team will evaluate the child's ability to:

learn
move, see, and hear
communicate and understand other's communication
respond to and relate with others
eat, dress and care for daily living needs

A Birth to 3 service coordinator helps the family understand and participate in the evaluation process.

Access to Services

The Birth to 3 Program is available in every county in Wisconsin. Each county has designated an agency that is responsible for the operation of the program in that county. The program may be called by a different name, but it is available to provide services to children with delays or disabilities. To find out how to contact the Birth to 3 Program in your county, call the statewide number for information and referral: Wisconsin First Step, (800) 642-STEP. For state level information, contact the Department of Health and Family Services at (608) 266-7851.

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS

Program Description

The five Regional Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Centers in Wisconsin are part of a statewide CSHCN Network that provides free and confidential assistance to parents of children with special health care needs. Services include information about specific disabilities (books and articles, audio-visuals, websites), parent connections and support (parent support groups, county parent liaison, parent training), and service coordination.

The Wisconsin First Step Hotline at (800) 642-7837 is another resource within the CSHCN Network. Parent specialists provide callers with information and referral on a full range of services and programs for children with special needs, from birth to age 21.

Eligibility Guidelines

Services are for children age birth to 21 years with a long-term (12 months to life-long), chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional illness or condition severe enough to restrict growth, development, or ability to engage in usual activities. Services are free and confidential.

Access to Services

The five regional CSHCN Centers are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Information on locations in Wisconsin can be obtained through the Wisconsin First Step Hotline at (800) 642-7837, which is available 24 hours/day, 365 days/year. Information can also be obtained electronically at http://www.mch-hotlines.org/web/mch/home.nsf, and at dhs.wi.gov/programs.htm.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTERS

Program Description

Wisconsin domestic abuse programs offer a variety of services to assist victims of domestic violence and their families, educate their communities about this issue, and enable local systems to become more responsive to the needs of domestic violence victims. All state-funded domestic abuse shelters must provide the following seven mandated services. Nonresidential programs are required to provide four of the seven mandated services, i.e., 24-hour helpline, counseling and advocacy, referral and follow-up, and community education.

A 24-hour, seven-day-a-week crisis helpline, staffed by skilled and trained personnel. Helpline staff respond to victims and their children in immediate crisis; provide information on safety, options and resources; and respond to the questions and concerns of family members, professionals, and the general public. Crisis calls to domestic abuse programs have increased by 13.8% over the last five years.
Emergency shelter, temporary housing and food. Shelter programs must provide a safe and welcoming environment, with staffing around the clock. Nutritious meals, familiar to a resident's cultural group, are also provided. Most emergency shelter programs limit a resident's stay to 30 days, with exceptions made for extenuating circumstances. The average stay is about 17 days, and has been slowly increasing.
Counseling and advocacy. Programs provide a peer model of individual counseling, focusing on safety planning, exploring options, empowerment, and education. Regularly scheduled support groups are also offered for victims and children.
Advocacy involves accompanying a victim to another agency or resource and/or helping her to obtain a service or resource. Advocates can help a client apply for needed services or benefits, assist in the use of appropriate grievance procedures, help with legal research, and provide information on a victim's legal rights and responsibilities. It is perhaps most evident in this area that domestic abuse services are becoming increasingly time-consuming and complex.
The list of resources and services that a victim must seek for safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency is large and ever-expanding. Domestic violence advocates must either be experts or have access to reliable information about housing, employment, legal, health, immigration, mental health, child development, and welfare issues and resources. They need to be knowledgeable about or have access to information about how to assist employers, physicians, teachers, clergy, and family members who want to know how to safely intervene or support victims, perpetrators and their children. Programs report that they spend longer hours with clients, that the barriers clients face are multi-faceted and more complex, and that they must spend more time learning about and interacting with rapidly-changing systems. Advocacy services are provided to victims across the life span, including children and youth.
Information, referral and follow-up. Programs are able to connect victims and their children to a myriad of community resources. Programs also strive to stay connected to a victim after she leaves shelter or services, to offer on-going information and support. Staying safely connected to a highly mobile victim population presents many challenges. The length of time of on-going contact with a victim ranges from a few weeks to over one year post-service.
Emergency transportation. Programs provide assistance to families to obtain transportation to safe shelter, either with program resources or through an arrangement with law enforcement. In addition, programs often help a victim with transportation to a job, appointment, or court appearance or assist in arranging school transportation for the children.
Arrangements for the education of school-age children. Shelter staff assists with arrangements for school-age children residing in shelter to remain safely in their home school district, or when that is not possible, to enroll in another school system. All arrangements are made within 72 hours of a child arriving in shelter.
Community education. Programs must ensure that the community is well aware of the availability and type of services offered. In addition, programs spend many hours educating the general public and professionals about the dynamics and impact of domestic abuse. Law enforcement, human service, and health care professionals are just a few of the systems that benefit from the on-going and specialized education offered by domestic abuse programs. Community education in schools includes classroom presentations in preschools, grades K-12 and in-service training for teachers.

The range of services, including services to minors, varies between programs. Please contact the program in your county to learn more about the services offered.

Eligibility Guidelines

In general, domestic violence programs require permission of a parent/guardian before providing direct services to minors. Anyone, regardless of age, may anonymously access a center's 24-hour crisis line.

Access to Services

Domestic violence programs exist in every county in Wisconsin - www.wcadv.org. In the website under "Get Help" there is a section that facilitates searches for services by county. For more information and referrals to local programs, contact:

Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV)
307 S. Paterson St., Suite 1
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255-0539
(608) 255-3560 Fax
cadv@wcadv.org

FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS

Program Description

Family planning is defined in Wisconsin law as voluntary action by individuals to prevent or aid conception. Funded under Title X, family planning clinics are required by federal law to provide complete information regarding pregnancy options, the same practice to which physicians and nurses are obligated, to enable informed choices and consent by their patients. There are 76 family planning clinics in 64 of Wisconsin's 72 counties. Services provided by family planning clinics include:

Annual exams, i.e., routine pap and pelvic exams, clinical breast exams, health history, and all required diagnostic tests.
Family planning to prevent or aid conception.
Confidential testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and genital warts are available at all family planning clinics. Confidential testing and referral services for HIV are available.
Pregnancy testing and education, including information about the availability of different pregnancy options.
Contraceptive supplies are available including hormonal contraception ("pills", Depo-Provera, and emergency contraception), Norplant, diaphragms, and non-prescription methods, including condoms.
Midlife services are a specialty program for women approaching menopause, including hormone replacement therapy.
Education and information

Eligibility Guidelines

Confidential services for women and men of all ages and all income levels are available. Family planning clinics are required by state law to treat any personally identifiable information as part of a confidential medical record. Information cannot be released without informed consent, with the exception of statistical information compiled without reference to anyone's identity. No other exceptions exist in the law and no distinction is made based upon age. Consequently, Wisconsin state law does give adolescents the right to access confidential family planning services.

Income eligible (at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level) women, ages 15-44, may have family planning services covered by Medicaid. Family income is not considered for unmarried females, so dependent high school students may qualify.

Access to Services

Specific information about these clinics, i.e., services, directions, etc., can be accessed at the Wisconsin Family Planning Clinic website at www.hcet.org/wfpp/clinics.asp, or at http://psssst.org/.

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS

Program Description

Family Resource Centers provide effective services and support systems to emphasize family strengths and build on them, with a major focus on parents and their children from birth to age 3 years. Recognizing that all parents need help at some time, but not all families need the same kind or intensity of support, Family Resource Centers have developed a wide range of services to meet the individual needs of the communities they serve. Services generally offered include:

Parent education
Teen parenting programs
Workshops
Support groups
Playgroups
Home visits
Individualized parenting education meetings
"Warmline"
Toy and book lending libraries
Respite care
Family events and celebrations
Parent advisory committee
Information and referral
Specialized programs, e.g., culturally specific activities, mentor programs, car seat rental, Dads Only Program

Eligibility Guidelines

All families are welcome at a family resource center.

Access to Services

There are over 90 family resource centers in 46 counties in Wisconsin. Information about locations and specific services offered can be obtained by contacting the Children's Trust Fund at (608) 266-6871 or on-line at http://wctf.state.wi.us.

Grandparents/Relatives Raising and Nurturing Dependent Children

Program Description

The GRAND Resource Guide is an electronic listing of state and local resources intended to give grandparents and other relatives a quick overview of services, programs, and places to start looking for resources and how to access them. The guide also provides tips and general information for grandparents and relatives as they take on the responsibilities of parenting again. It is a product of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Partnership of Wisconsin through the University of Wisconsin - Extension, Grandparents United for Children's Rights, Inc., and the Bureau of Aging & Long Term Care in the Department of Health and Family Services.

The Guide is organized into chapters on issues and problems common to grandparents and relatives raising their grandchildren or kin. Each chapter contains questions grandparents and relatives may have about services or programs available for children and is followed by a list of Milwaukee resources. Chapter topics are Child Care, Counseling, Education, Financial Assistance, Health, Housing, Legal, and Parenting.

The Guide is designed so individual counties can adapt the resource section at the end of each chapter by adding their own local resources.

Eligibility Guidelines

The GRAND Resource Guide is available electronically to anyone.

Access to Services

The GRAND Resource Guide is available at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/flp/grandparent/grand.html. Comments can be directed to flp@uwex.edu.

Healthy Start

Program Description

Healthy Start is part of the Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). It pays for medical care for many pregnant women, babies, and children. It covers most babies until they are one year of age, even if the family's income goes up. The program covers:

All doctor visits and hospital costs
Prescription drugs, including cessation products
Delivery of the baby
Health care (including medical, dental, vision, counseling) for pregnant women up to 60 days following delivery
Health care (including medical, dental, vision, counseling) for children up to age 19 years

Eligibility guidelines

Eligibility is based upon the family's gross (before taxes) income, including income from all sources. There is no asset test. Families with higher incomes may qualify if they have child care, work-related, or medical expenses. Families with health insurance may apply. Individuals who are under-insured and/or do not have health coverage for prenatal care services or the birth of the baby may be eligible for Healthy Start. Income eligibility ceilings increase as of May 1st each year; county departments of human services have the most recent income eligibility figures.

Access to Services

Interested families should contact their county/tribal human/social services department or their local health department directly to apply. A two-page mail-in application is available from county social services offices. A brochure on Healthy Start can be found at www.dhs.wi.gov/medicaid1/index.htm. More information about Healthy Start can be obtained 24 hours/day, 7 days/week from the toll-free Maternal and Child Health Hotline at (800) 722-2295.

Prenatal Care Coordination

Program Description

The Medicaid Prenatal Care Coordination Program helps pregnant women and, when appropriate, their families gain access to medical, social, educational, vocational, and other services related to the pregnancy. Services are available to Medicaid-eligible pregnant women with a high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes during pregnancy through the first 60 days following delivery. Program components include outreach, an initial assessment, care plan development, ongoing care coordination and monitoring, and health education and nutrition counseling services, as appropriate.

The goal of the PNCC benefit is to improve birth outcomes among women who are deemed at high risk for poor birth outcomes. The main objectives include ensuring women at high risk:

Are identified as early as possible in their pregnancy
Receive individual psychosocial support and services
Receive early and continuous prenatal care services
Receive necessary health and nutrition education
Are referred to available community services, as appropriate
Receive assistance in accessing and obtaining needed health and social services

A risk assessment of health, social and lifestyle issues (including smoking, drug use, physical and sexual abuse) is completed with Medicaid-eligible pregnant women. The case manager PNCC provider then develops a care plan with the pregnant woman based on strengths and needs identified in the assessment, designed to identify and eliminate barriers to prenatal care. The PNCC staff person also coordinates referrals and information about other community resources. Some communities have PNCC sites that specialize in providing services to pregnant teens, while others serve women of childbearing age, in general.

Ongoing care coordination services include assistance to access medical prenatal care, referrals to appropriate community resources, psychosocial support, and postpartum services. Nutrition counseling and health education are also provided.

Eligibility Guidelines

Prenatal Care Coordination services are available to Medicaid-eligible, pregnant women with a high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In addition to the Medicaid benefit, the Division of Public Health provides Title V funding to many local health departments to provide services similar to PNCC for women who may not be eligible for the Medicaid benefit.

Access to Services

A wide range of public health, medical, and social services providers and agencies may be certified as PNCC providers. Some communities have PNCC sites that specialize in providing services to pregnant teens, while most serve women of childbearing age, in general. School staff, parents, physicians, community organizations, or teens themselves can refer for Prenatal Care Coordination. For information about the PNCC site closest to your community, contact the county/local public health department or the Maternal and Child Health Hotline at (800) 722-2295 or conduct a search at http://www.mch-hotlines.org/web/mch/home.nsf using "prenatal care coordination" as the key words.

Public Health Departments

Program Description

Public health departments, operated by counties and some cities, provide a wide-range of health-related services that help promote good health and development and identify health concerns that may require medical intervention. The range of services available may vary to some extent from one county or city to another. However, in general, services provided include the following:

Home visits following birth
Well-child checks/growth and development assessments
Parenting skills education and information
Prenatal care coordination
Immunizations
Referrals

Many public health departments have developed specific programs or services to meet an identified need. These programs and services may be designed specifically for pregnant and parenting teens or include adolescents in their eligibility guidelines. Many public health departments partner with school districts to provide services to pregnant and parenting teens through public health nurses.

Eligibility Guidelines

Participants must be residents of the geographic area covered by the public health department, i.e., the county or city. Services are voluntary and free, although a nominal fee may be requested for immunizations. Some services may require income eligibility and enrollment in other programs, e.g., Medicaid, Healthy Start, BadgerCare. Other programs and services may require special circumstances, e.g., first time parent.

Access to Services

Specific information about what programs and services are available and eligibility guidelines can be obtained by contacting the local public health department. Check under "Government" if the contact information cannot be located within the main body of the telephone book or call the Maternal and Child Health Hotline at (800) 722-2295. A directory of local public health departments in Wisconsin is available at www.dhs.wi.gov/localhealth.

Safe Place for Newborns

Program Description

Safe Place for Newborns is charged with promoting a Wisconsin law passed in April 2001. This law enables any parent on the verge of abandoning her/his newborn to anonymously turn over her/his unharmed child within 72 hours of the birth to any hospital employee at any Wisconsin hospital. When the parent turns in her/his unharmed newborn, law enforcement will not be contacted. Another alternative for the parent is to call "911" and relinquish the child to a police officer or emergency services personnel without fear of prosecution. This program is most needed in cases where a pregnancy has been concealed or denied and the unplanned birth puts the newborn in a life or death situation.

The parent may be given information about after-birth, the Wisconsin Maternal and Child Health Hotline number [(800) 722-2295], and a questionnaire asking for basic medical information to fill out and return in an addressed envelope for the child's file.

The newborn will be given any necessary medical attention and then is placed into the care of the local Social Services department to be put into foster care and eventually adopted. If the parent changes her/his mind, she/he can contact the hospital and will be connected to its social services department.

Safe Place for Newborns provides:

A toll-free crisis line, (877) 440-BABY, which connects the caller from anywhere in Wisconsin to trained crisis pregnancy counselors
A web address: safeplacefornewborns that explains the law and helps locate a nearby hospital
Education about this law
Assistance to Wisconsin hospitals, through networking relationships, with tools to successfully implement a policy and procedures on receiving a newborn in this crisis situation

Eligibility Guidelines

Safe Place for Newborns is available to anyone considering abandoning her/his newborn.

Access to Services

A teen may find out more information about this safe alternative to infant abandonment or neonaticide by calling the toll-free crisis line, (877) 440-BABY, or on the Internet at www.safeplacefornewborns.com. Further information about "Safe Place for Newborns" is available at (608) 225-5544.

Safe and Stable Families Program

Program Description

The Safe and Stable Families Program is funded with federal funds provided to counties through the state Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS). Local agencies receiving these funds must spend at least 25% for Family Support, 25% for Family Preservation and 25% for Family Reunification, with the remaining 25% being able to be spent in any of these three areas. Specific services provided vary from one county to another, dependent upon locally identified needs and priorities.

Family Support services are voluntary, preventive activities to alleviate stress and help families care for their children's well-being. Services increase the strength and stability of families by improving parenting abilities and enhancing child development. Examples include Family Resource Centers, drop-in centers, family support groups, parenting skills, screening children to assess service needs, referral to community services, and assisting families to access services.
Family Preservation services are intensive activities generally delivered in the home to meet immediate safety needs and stabilize the family in times of crisis. Services are provided to parents, caretakers and other family members during times of family crisis that could lead to removal of children from the home. Examples include safety services; respite care; substance abuse and mental health treatment; in-home supervision/observation, family counseling, life skills training; and food or clothing assistance.
Family Reunification services are activities to prepare children in out-of-home care and parents for the safe return of children to their homes. For the Safe and Stable Families Program, reunification services are time-limited and should be provided within the 15-month period beginning when children enter out-of-home care. Examples include individual and family counseling; substance abuse and mental health treatment; activities to address domestic violence; and specialized or therapeutic child care.

Eligibility Guidelines

Target groups for Family Support services are the general public, at risk families, and other youth. Target groups for Family Preservation services are families in which abuse/neglect has occurred along with relatives and adoptive families. The target group for Family Reunification services is children living in out-of-home care.

General Public - Broad prevention activities for the general public designed to promote positive behaviors and prevent the need for family intervention services.
At Risk - Children and families who are vulnerable, at risk for child abuse or neglect, or likely to engage in behaviors with negative consequences.
Other Youth *#8212; Other youth in need of prevention or early intervention services. This group includes youth who returned to the community after exit from secured detention or juvenile corrections.
Abused/Neglected - Children and other members of families in which child abuse or neglect has occurred. This group includes biological families with whom children have been reunified.
Relatives and Adoptive Families - Adoptive families and relatives caring for children who have been placed with them under formal or informal arrangements.
Out-of-Home Care - Children in out-of-home care and the families from which they were removed. This includes services to children and families while the children are in foster care placements.

Access to Services

For information about what services may be offered for teen parents locally through Safe and Stable Families funding, contact the county department of social services.

Sexual Assault Service Providers

Program Description

Wisconsin sexual assault service providers work to support and advocate for victim/survivors of sexual violence and their families through a variety of services. They also foster community awareness about sexual violence issues through prevention education efforts and collaborate with local systems to enhance services to victim/survivors. Typical services include:

Advocacy and counseling for victims/survivors - children and adults
Advocacy and counseling for family/friends of victims/survivors
Legal information, court accompaniment, and assistance with restraining orders
Support groups for victims/survivors - children and adults
Support groups for family/friends of victims/survivors
Information and referral
Treatment for adolescent and adult offenders
24-hour crisis line
Community education
Outreach to Wisconsin schools and University systems

Services vary between programs.

Eligibility Guidelines

Not all programs are eligible to serve minors. Generally, sexual assault service providers require permission of a parent/guardian before providing direct services to minors. Anyone, regardless of age, may anonymously access a center's 24-hour crisis line.

Access to Services

There are sexual assault service providers throughout the state of Wisconsin. For more information and referrals to local agencies, contact:

Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Inc. (WCASA)
600 Williamson Street, Suite N-2
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 257-1516
(608) 257-2150 FAX
www.wcasa.org

Wisconsin Abstinence Initiative for Youth (WAIY)

Program Description

WAIY is an abstinence education program funded through a federal grant to promote children's health by reducing out of wedlock births. States receiving federal funds are required to provide programming that encourages unmarried youth and young adults, ages 12-29 years, to choose abstinence. The Wisconsin program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) as one part of its comprehensive approach to adolescent pregnancy prevention.

WAIY's goal is to provide motivation and support for all youth throughout Wisconsin who want help in choosing abstinence. For additional information: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dph_bfch/MCH/waiy.htm

Wisconsin Adoption Information Center

Program Description

The Wisconsin Adoption Information Center (WAIC) is a state-funded service providing information about adoption to adolescents and adults experiencing unplanned pregnancies, birthfathers, perspective adoptive parents, professionals, and the general public. Information available includes:

Wisconsin adoption agencies
Independent (identified adoption)
Rights and responsibilities of birth parents
International adoption
Special needs adoption
Referral to birthparent counselors
Infant adoption

Services include:

A confidential and toll-free telephone line
Training about adoption as an option for professionals who work with adolescents and adults
Publicity to increase public awareness and improve the public's image of adoption as a positive option for an unplanned pregnancy

Eligibility Guidelines

Information and services are available to anyone. Funding for the Adoption Information Center is provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Children and Family Services.

Access to Services

Wisconsin Adoption Information Center
c/o Adoption Resources of Wisconsin
6682 West Greenfield Avenue, Suite 310
Milwaukee, WI 53214
(414) 475-0596
(800) 571-1105 (Wisconsin)
(414) 475-7007 (fax)
info@wiadopt.org
http://www.wiadoptioninfocenter.org

Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services

Program Description

The Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services is a private, nonprofit association, representing the 23 runaway programs throughout the state. All of these programs provide access to emergency shelter and crisis intervention services. Some programs include services specifically designed for teen parents, such as parenting classes and independent living programs. Links can be made to resources available within the local community. Teen parents can receive assistance accessing medical care, housing, prevention services and support groups.

Eligibility Guidelines

All programs are open to youth under the age of 18 years. Initial services are free of charge. Long-term referral services, e.g., mental health services, may have associated charges on a sliding scale basis.

Access to Services

The Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services provides a contact for referral to local programs. For further information, contact Patricia Balke at (608) 241-2649 or pbalke@sbcglobal.net. The National Runaway Switchboard operates a toll-free referral service at (800) 621-4000.

Wisconsin Child Support Program

Program Description

The Child Support Program was created in 1975 by Title IV-D of the federal Social Security Act. The program helps families become independent and remain self-sufficient. It exists to ensure that every child receives financial support from both parents. Wisconsin's Child Support Program is administered at the state level, but operated locally by 73 county and tribal child support agencies.

The Child Support Program offers many services to teen parents including:

Finding a missing parent
Providing genetic testing
Establishing legal fatherhood
Asking the court to order child support and medical support
Enforcing child support orders
Contacting the paying parent's employer and setting up income withholding
Collecting child support from a parent living in another state
Reviewing an order for possible increase or decrease
Providing payment and collection information on a child support case

Eligibility Guidelines

Services are available to all single teen parents (unmarried, divorced or separated) in Wisconsin. Teen parents who receive aid (W-2 services, Medicaid, Healthy Start, BadgerCare, and Food Stamps) are automatically referred to their local child support agency for services free of charge. Teen parents who are not receiving any type of aid may apply for services at their local child support agency ($10 application fee).

Access to Services

Child support agencies are located in 71 counties and 2 tribes. County child support agencies are listed in the telephone book under "County Government." Tribal child support agencies are listed in the telephone book under the tribal name. A list of agencies can also be accessed at http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/bcs/cslist.htm. More information about the Wisconsin Child Support Program is available at www.dwd.state.wi.us/bcs/.

Related Programs

Help with custody and physical placement (visitation) issues is available from local family courts.

Wisconsin Maternal and Child Health Hotline

Program Description

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Hotline provides trained staff who can offer information and a comprehensive listing of services throughout the state for women, children and families in the areas of health, nutrition, special health care needs, financial assistance, and advocacy. Information specific to a particular county or community is available. All services are confidential.

Examples of services about which the MCH Hotline can provide information:

BadgerCare is Wisconsin's Medicaid Program of health insurance for uninsured families. A single parent with a child or children under the age of 19 years is included in the definition of a "family."
Healthy Start is Wisconsin's Medicaid Program of health insurance for pregnant women, infants, and young children.
Prenatal Care Coordination provides coordination of necessary and appropriate health, social and other services which promote a healthy pregnancy and birth.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education and health care referrals for pregnant and breastfeeding women, new mothers, infants and children up to age five years.
HealthCheck is a comprehensive health exam including referrals for specialized health services for anyone under 21 years old and who is receiving Medicaid, including teens.
Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women is temporary Medicaid certification offering immediate prenatal care coverage for women.
Early Identification of Pregnancy/Pregnancy Testing Programs provide free/low cost, confidential pregnancy tests and referral for health services.

The MCH Hotline also has information on the Wisconsin Works (W-2) Program, Food Stamps, Child Care Assistance, and other services.

Eligibility Guidelines

There are no eligibility guidelines or requirements to use the MCH Hotline. Services are free.

Access to Services

The toll-free telephone number for the MCH Hotline is (800) 722-2295. It is available seven days/week and 24 hours/day. Translation services are also available. More information is available at http://www.mch-hotlines.org/web/mch/home.nsf.

Wisconsin Medicaid

Program Description

Medicaid is a joint federal/state program to pay for health care services for people with disabilities, people 65 years and older, children and their caretakers, and pregnant women who meet the program's financial requirements. Wisconsin Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance, MA, Title 19 and T19, is administered by the Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Health Care Financing. Some services covered include:

Doctor visits, including prenatal care
Well-child and HealthCheck visits, including immunizations
Vision care, including eyeglasses
Prescription drugs, including smoking cessation products
Family planning services and supplies
Occupational, physical, and speech language therapy
Mental health and substance abuse therapy services
Medical equipment
Hospital care
Auditory services, including hearing aids
Lab and radiological services
Dental services
Transportation to Medicaid services
Home care services

Eligibility Guidelines

A person may qualify for Medicaid if she/he is a citizen of the United States or a qualifying alien, meets the financial eligibility requirements, and is in one of the following categories: 65 years or older, blind or disabled, under age 19 years, pregnant, a relative caretaker relative of a child. Eligibility requirements limit the amount of income a qualifying family may have.

Access to Services

Interested families should contact their county/tribal human/social services department directly to apply. More information is available electronically at http://www.dhs.wi.gov/medicaid .

Wisconsin Works (W-2)

Program Description

The Wisconsin Works (W-2) program is primarily focused on helping families achieve self-sufficiency through job skills development and employment support. Given the multiple challenges confronting teen parents, Wisconsin implemented policies that encourage them to remain in the home with their families, develop their parenting skills, complete high school and prepare for a career.

The W-2 Financial Employment Planner (FEP) can provide a minor teen parent with services and information regarding:

Available child care services
High school and school-to-work resources
Employment and financial planning services
Family planning services
Child Support services
Eligibility for Food Stamps and other food and nutrition programs
Eligibility for Medicaid and BadgerCare
Other resources in the local community

Eligibility Guidelines

Any minor teen parent (under the age of 18 years, male or female) is eligible to meet with a W-2 Financial and Employment Planner (FEP) regardless of current living arrangements or household income. Services for teen parents are dependent on the age of the teenager. While minor teen parents may receive some or all of the above services, they are not independently eligible for W-2 cash assistance or an employment position. An 18- or 19-year old teen parent may be eligible to participate in a W-2 employment position and receive cash assistance. If they have not completed high school, these teen parents can use the hours they attend a high school, GED, or HSED program to meet some or all of their participation requirements under W-2. Parents aged 20 and older must participate in regular W-2 work activities to receive cash assistance.

Access to Services

W-2 agencies are co-located or electronically linked with a Job Center in every county. Individuals interested in applying for W-2 services may contact their Job Center for further information. A complete listing of W-2 agencies, phone numbers and addresses may also be found on the Internet at: www.dwd.state.wi.us/desw2/ResourceGuide/#Agencies_Directory. More information about the W-2 program is available on the following Internet web site: http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dws/w2/default.htm.

Other Government Assistance Programs

Other types of assistance that a teen parent may apply for at the W-2 agency include:

Medicaid and BadgerCare to pay for health care expenses
Child Care assistance to work or attend school
W-2 Job Access Loan to meet expenses related to obtaining or maintaining employment
Food Stamps to buy food

Each of these programs has its own eligibility requirements, and some may base eligibility on the household or family income.

Kinship Care Program
Kinship Care is a program designed to help support a child who resides outside of his/her own home, either temporarily or long-term, with a relative (who could be an adult brother or sister, a first cousin, a nephew or niece, an uncle or aunt or a grandparent, among others).

Kinship Care supports the concept of children residing with a relative to alleviate family stress or temporary familial problems rather than being placed in a foster home or other type of out-of-home placement. For children who do come to the attention of the child welfare system, Kinship Care creates another placement option for a child who may not be able to continue living at home with his/her parents. It should not, however, be used when a foster care placement is in the best interests of the child.

With the exception of Milwaukee County, local county or tribal departments of social/human services administer Kinship Care. In Milwaukee County, the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare administers Kinship Care.

For more information, visit www.def.wisconsin.gov/children/kinship/index.htm.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

Program Description

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides food and nutrition information to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children under five years of age healthy and strong.

Services available through WIC include:

Information on how to use WIC foods to improve health
Checks to buy foods that help keep the teen parent and child healthy
Help getting immunizations for the child
Discussions on food shopping, recipes, taking care of babies and how to breastfeed
Information on healthy eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding and tips on feeding a child
Referrals to doctors, dentists, and programs like Food Stamps, Medicaid, Healthy Start, BadgerCare and Head Start

An appointment will be arranged for the teen parent to meet with a WIC nutritionist. The nutritionist will review the health history of the teen parent and the child (if already born) and will ask what the teen parent and child presently eat.

Eligibility Guidelines

The WIC Program uses the same income criteria as free and reduced price school lunches. Teens or their children who are already on Medical Assistance or Food Stamps are automatically income eligible for WIC.

Access to Services

Check the local telephone directory for the nearest WIC program, or contact the county public health department. The Maternal and Child Health Hotline at (800) 722-2295 can provide assistance in locating a WIC program. Information is also available electronically at http://www.dhs.wi.gov/wic.

Workforce and Career Development Services

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program

Program Description

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program provides activities that are designed to enhance a youth's opportunity for academic, occupational and developmental success. Teen parents, especially low-income teen parents, are a target group for WIA Youth activities. WIA Youth Program offers the following services:

Assessment
Case management
Educational achievement services
Employment services
Summer youth employment opportunities
Leadership development opportunities
Additional support for youth services

Eligibility Guidelines

Teen parents may be eligible for WIA youth services if they are:
> 1. Not less than 14 years old and not more than 21 years old
2. Low-income, and
3. Possess one or more of the following characteristics:
a. Deficient in basic literacy skills
b. A school dropout
c. Homeless, a runaway, or a foster child
d. Pregnant or a parent
e. An offender
f. Needs additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment

Some teen parents who are not low income may also be eligible if they are in one or more of the following categories:
> 1. School dropout
2. Basic skills deficient
3. Educational attainment is one or more grade levels below the grade level appropriate to the age of the individual
4. Pregnant or parenting
5. Disabled, including learning disabled
6. Homeless or a runaway
7. Offender
8. Face serious barriers to employment as identified by the Workforce Development Board

Teen parents over age 18 may also be eligible for the WIA Adult Program. This program provides employment-related activities and services to connect job seekers with employers. Services such as career planning and work readiness workshops as well as occupational training are available through the WIA adult program.

Access to Services

Workforce Development Boards administer WIA across the state. To learn more about WIA Youth Program services in your area contact your local Workforce Development Board. To find the Workforce Development Board in your area, go to http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dwdwia/PDF/wda_list.pdf.

WIA adult programs are offered through Job Centers across the state. To locate the Job Center nearest you, go to http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/directory/default.htm.

Job Centers
Wisconsin Job Centers are designed to provide all job seekers with job search services and training opportunities. Not all job seekers require the same kind of services. That is why the Job Center provides services ranging from self-service to individualized services.

People who want to look for a job immediately can go directly to the JobNet computer or review Career Information & Resources on different types of jobs, resume writing, training opportunities and financial aid in the Job Center Resource Room. Job seekers can also learn what areas of employment best suit their work history and interests.

Other job seekers may need a little more assistance. For example, job seeker workshops and group sessions can help with writing resumes, interviewing, employment skills, personal motivation, and family skills.

Each Job Center in Wisconsin provides many valuable services to job seekers. Some of these services are the same in every Job Center and some services are specific to the local community. To find out what the Job Center in your area can provide, go to www.dwd.state.wi.us/cgi-umos/office.exe. For more links to jobs, go to http://dwd.state.wi.us

JobNet
JobNet is a statewide electronic link of employers and job seekers that can be accessed through a computer. It gives job applicants new resources for a job search, whether it is for a job in their home community or another part of the state.

Easy-to-use touch-screen JobNet workstations are available at Wisconsin Job Centers in communities throughout the state. All you have to do is touch the buttons on the screen to find job listings in many fields ranging from service to managerial. JobNet is also available on the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

JobNet can be accessed at www.dwd.state.wi.us/jobnet/mapWI.htm.

Career Centers
There are eleven regional Career Centers in Wisconsin. These Career Centers target youth and provide information online about career development strategies and services. Local employers, educators, and career center staff pool their resources and seek to guide students and others into satisfying careers. Every Career Center uses top-notch electronic media tools, such as computers, laser discs, videos, networks and the Internet. More information is available at www.dwd.state.wi.us/careers.

For questions about this information, contact Nic T. Dibble (608) 266-0963

Last updated on 8/5/2008 1:16:02 PM