November/December 2007

Message from the Acting Executive Director

My First Day

As my first day as acting director comes to a close, I realize that it wasn’t that much different from my other days at the Council.  I was asked a few more questions and had to sign a few more letters, but basically it was another busy but ordinary day.  And that is what I expected, knowing what a talented group I have the privilege of working with at the Council. 

We held a staff meeting this morning, which gave us chance to orient ourselves to working without Charity.  It caused me to reflect beforehand on what this period means for me and for all of us here at the Council; and I thought of bread.  Like bread dough we will, each of us in our own way, rise up to fill in the space left in Charity’s absence.  We will produce quality publications. We will advocate for policies that improve the lives of children and families. We will inform and educate through our various trainings, events and e-newsletters. And we will motivate you to take action.  All of these we will do with the competence and quality you expect from us. Like the yeast in the bread dough, we will continue to foment change on behalf of kids and their families.

2007 is coming to a close, and we have a lot to be proud of!  With a budget finally passed there are some big victories to celebrate, not something that comes easily: 

  • creation of BadgerCare Plus, an expansion of the state’s health care program for low-income families;
  • increased funding for the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program;
  • increased Youth Aids funding; and
  • funding to help school districts launch 4-year-old kindergarten.                                      

The 2007 WisKids Count Data Book was just released, the 11th book we have published since 1994.  Safer, Healthier, Happier explores the long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect and tracks county-by-county data related to child maltreatment in Wisconsin. You can view the book and access the data on our website at http://www.wccf.org/kidcount_wiskid2007.php.

2008 promises to be another productive year.  Our staff and board are just completing our strategic planning process and will have a new set of policy priorities for the 2009-2011 biennium to share with you in early 2008. We like to get a jumpstart so we can do the research and planning needed well before the legislative session begins.  We will host some great events in the early part of the year, which I hope you will consider attending:

  • January 29: Reach and Teach, a training on early brain development and parent education
  • February 20-21: Advocacy Camp
  • April 15-16: 2008 Juvenile Justice Conference

During the month of January, we will continue to build our campaign to end child poverty in Wisconsin, Vision 2020, with a series of radio ads, the release of a terrific video, and presentations around the state.

Expect notices on these activities in the coming weeks, or contact me for more information. Please feel free to also contact me with your thoughts and ideas at  jilljacklitz@wccf.org.  I look forward to a lively year ahead!