The Badger Herald

NEWS

Doyle creates new administrative post

Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.

Also by Richie Rathsack:

Doyle creates new administrative post (November 29, 2007)
Proposed legislation aims at addressing police abuse of power (November 28, 2007)
State justice's hearing commences (November 20, 2007)
State may insist on fire-safe cigs (November 13, 2007)
Bill would protect doctors who volunteer (November 12, 2007)

by Richie Rathsack

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Gov. Jim Doyle announced the creation of a new government agency to help ensure the future success of every child in Wisconsin called the Department of Children and Families Tuesday.

The head of the DCF will be the first state cabinet position dealing exclusively with children and family services, according to Doyle spokesperson Rachel Allen.

“It's imperative to make sure that we are investing in our children and our families to make sure they grow up safe and healthy,” Allen said. “A department whose only focus is children and families will be very beneficial to the state of Wisconsin.”

Reginald Bicha has been appointed secretary of the new department and said he is looking forward to serving in his new position. Bicha is currently the administrator for the Division of Children and Family Services at the Department of Health and Family Services.

"It's a great opportunity and really a historic opportunity for children in the state," Bicha said.

Bicha said he has experience in many areas of child services, including service as a child welfare social worker, a foster parent and an educator.

The new department will bring together more than 30 different services and more than 500 employees located throughout the state from the Department of Health and Family Services and the Department of Workforce Development. The budget for the DCF is more than $1 billion.

"These [dollars] are coming from existing agencies, so it's what we call 'cost-neutral,'" Bicha said. "We're going to find efficiencies by bringing these groups together without having to add additional staff or resources."

Bicha added bringing together these groups allow for improved services for the people of Wisconsin.

"This will better streamline services, and we'll be able to better reinvest and refocus around early intervention and education efforts," Bicha said.

However, University of Wisconsin professor of governmental affairs Susan Paddock thinks people should not expect big changes right away.

"If people think this is going to make a huge difference, I think they are going to be disappointed," Paddock said. "I think there will be some measurable improvements but nothing huge. I'm not opposed to it, but I don't think miracles happen by relocation."

Paddock also said this new department is the result of restructuring, adding that people often think there will be cost savings involved with such reorganizing efforts, but that is usually not the case. The main benefits, she said, will be having these services under one secretary.

"If you only have one secretary, it is easier to get unified direction, and it will be easier to get services to children who need it," Paddock said.

Helping children has been one of Doyle's main goals as governor, according to Allen.

“That’s always been one of the governor’s top priorities,” she said. “Ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up and have the resources available to them to have a healthy childhood.”

Bicha said he hopes to incorporate some of his own ideas into existing services.

“This is not simply an exercise in moving accounting codes around," Bicha said. "We're going to be talking to people about what they expect to be different from the agencies and also talking with people in other states about efforts for improving the safety of children that can be replicated in here in Wisconsin.”

Bicha also wants to make a connection at the community level for services provided by the DCF.

"State government and local government can do a lot for people, but it also takes the community. We're always looking for people to open up their hearts and homes for foster care and adoption," Bicha said.

Some of the services included in the new department will be Wisconsin Works, Wisconsin Shares, Child Support Enforcement, Domestic Abuse, Foster Care, Adoption and Child Welfare.

The DCF will be established by July 2008, and Bicha will continue at his current position until then.

Add a comment

We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.