Wisconsin County Human Service Association 

2015-17 State Budget Recap

Governor Walker signed the 2015-17 Wisconsin state budget into law on Sunday, July 12. Key provisions impacting county human services include: 

• Consolidated funding for community mental health programs. The governor vetoed language which would have required DHS to consult with counties and other stakeholders in developing a funding methodology for the consolidated funds in 2016 and beyond. 
• $2M in funding in FY17 for services for victims of sex trafficking. 
• Drug screening and testing for certain participants in several programs, including BadgerCare Plus, work experience programs, and FoodShare Employment Training. 
• Transfer of oversight of community-based juvenile delinquency-related services to from DOC to DCF.
• Requirement for DHS to submit a request to CMS regarding a number of changes to the state's long term care waiver. 
• Creation of Children's COP by repealing the Family Support program and consolidating funding for that program with funding currently used for long term care services for children under COP. 
• A 3% annual increase in funding for the CLTS program and autism services.
• Creation of the Division of Medicaid Services within DHS, merging DHCAA and DLTC, effective June 30, 2017.

You can find a summary from the Wisconsin Counties Association of health and human services issues in the budget at the bottom of this page. Please contact Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf via email or 608-663-7188, or Lisa Hassenstab via email or at 608-469-5903 with any questions.