Wisconsin

2022 EIYF Wisconsin Department of Health Services Team

Contacts: 

Sara Conklin-Weaver, Licensed Psychologist, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Andrew Jackman, Psychiatric Care Supervisor, Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center/Mendota Mental Health Institute

Alexander King, Psychiatric Care Supervisor, Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center/Mendota Mental Health Institute

Wendy LaBine, Policy and Standards Director, Wisconsin Department of Health Services/DCTS/MMHI

Jason Lewis, Psychiatric Care Supervisor, State of Wisconsin/department of Health and Human Services

Brett Ritz, Operations Director, Wisconsin Department of Health Services- Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center

Elizabeth Rudy, Youth Crisis Coordinator, Department of Health Services, State of Wisconsin

Gynger Steele, Assistant Administrator, Wisconsin State Department of Health Services

Seenia Thao, Clinical Social Worker, Department of Health Services, Mendota Mental Health Institute

Greg Van Rybroek, Director/CEO, State of Wisconsin/Department of Health Services/Mendota Mental Health Institute/Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center

Michael Witkovsky, Staff Psychiatrist, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Capstone Description:

The Wisconsin Team seeks to reduce the use of isolation in their current program at the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center in addition to creating a plan for a new program set to open in 2024. Specifically, the team aims to train staff on tools they can use instead of isolation; revise MJTC’s Mission Statement and Core Values; improve data gathering and sharing mechanisms; incorporate restorative justice, Credible Messengers, and more trauma-informed care into existing programming where possible; and modify MJTC’s existing points program. The Capstone team will incorporate the voices of MJTC staff and youth in each of these efforts.

Capstone Update (2024):

MJTC currently is in the midst of a significant expansion project, but the Capstone Team continues to meet weekly. Thus far, MJTC has moved into parts of the newly constructed building space while other areas are under construction. The team currently conducts quarterly out-of-room time audits, and out-of-room time has continued to increase. The team hopes to continue in this direction while also focusing on safety, as the youth they serve often have acute behavioral health needs. 

The team has hired for a host of new positions to staff their facility expansion. Additionally, the team has undertaken efforts around restorative justice programming, enhanced reentry supports, staff education, data gathering, revised facility vision and values, behavioral contingency programming, and pet therapy. 

2018 YIC Wisconsin (State Level) 

Contacts: 

Jason Benzel, Superintendent State of Wisconsin Copper Lake and Lincoln Hills School

Gregory Bucholtz, Detention Facilities Specialist Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Kristi Dietz, Director and Tribal Liaison Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Shelby McCulley, Assistant Administrator, Division of Juvenile Corrections Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Capstone Description:

Working with the state, tribal, and county juvenile justice system partners, the team will implement a new legislation, Act 185, in a way that creates a coordinated, evidence-based continuum of service at juvenile justice facilities across Wisconsin. 

2017 LGBTQ Milwaukee County, WI 

Contacts: 

Luciana Gonzalez-Ward, Administrative Coordinator Milwaukee County, Delinquency and Court Service Division

Lathel Taylor, Interim Superintendent, Milwaukee County

Capstone Description:

The team aims to create LGBTQ policy and procedures, educate Delinquency and Court Services Division (DCSD) employees, and create meaningful community partnerships. The main strategies include:

1. Revising detention center and probation intake procedures 

2. Developing an advisory board called the “SOGIE Champions” to help support staff and LGBTQ youth during the change process.

3. Creating LGBTQ/SOGIE training modules for all current DCSD and new hires.

2011 MSI (Public) Milwaukee County Team 

Contact:

Laura Goba, Community Supports Program Manager - Children's Service Society of Wisconsin

Lynn Halmar, Program Director, Ongoing Case Management - Integrated Family Services

Eric Meaux, Administrator, Delinquency and Court Services Division - Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services

Mary Sowinski, Assistant District Attorney/CHIPS & TPR Team Captain - Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office

Capstone Description:

Control the use of secure detention for child welfare youth. Identify crossover youth as either DSO (deinstitutionalization of status offenders) or general crossover youth and perform systematic screenings to ensure that each is treated according to protocol. Develop alternative approaches to dealing with youth at high risk of running away (for which they will try to create a profile based on data). Pilot joint assessment, case management/planning for crossover youth.

2021 EIYF Racine County Team

Contacts:

Brian Brickner, Lead Youth Program Coordinator, Racine County

Antonio Chavez, Superintendent, Racine County

Eric Corrao, Youth Detention Worker, Racine County Juvenile Detention Center

Candy Hattix, Youth Program Coordinator, Racine County Youth Justice Department

Glenn Larson, Operations Manager- Youth Development, Racine County Human Services Department

Darius Williams, Youth Service Coordinator, Racine County

Capstone Description: 

The Racine County Team seeks to reduce the use of isolation in the Racine County Juvenile Detention Center by implementing new room confinement processes, increasing and implementing youth-centered training for staff, and continuing to participate in the Annie E. Casey Foundation - JDAI efforts. They will amplify continued data collection and hold regular discussions on data collected with diverse levels of staff.

2014 RED Racine County Team 

Contacts:

Melvin Hargrove, Pastor - Zoe Outreach Ministries

Margaret Johnson, Local Attorney Manager - Wisconsin State Public Defender

John Jude, Judge - Racine County Circuit Court

Brian Smith, Mount Pleasant Police Department - Captain

Capstone Description:

Implement a school-based diversion program at one pilot high school.  Eligible offenses include, but are not limited to, disorderly conduct.; Diversion services include mentoring; Only first-time offenders are eligible. 

2011 MSI (Public) Kenosha County Team 

Contacts:

Daniel Baran, Program Administrator - Community Impact Programs

Nancy Ramsey, Lead Supervisor/DMC Coordinator - Kenosha County Department of Human Services

Capstone Description:

Reduce the number of child welfare involved children who become involved in the juvenile justice system by improving data collection/analysis, improving information sharing between juvenile justice and child welfare, developing joint assessment and staffing protocols, and educating stakeholders. 

Capstone Update (2015):

The team implemented CANS assessment for all child welfare youth within 30 days of placement, with a focus on identifying children with higher behavioral and mental health needs; starting in January 2013, all parents will fill out ACE survey and a resilience/stress questionnaire; constructed a report that's imbedded in the statewide system; researched common characteristics of the crossover youth and conducted training as a response to the finding, which indicated that history of trauma is one of the most common crossover youth characteristics.