Policy and Research Section
Office of Policy Initiatives and Budget
The Policy and Research section provides leadership and support to
advance strategic Department initiatives, often working across divisions,
with other state agencies and with multiple external stakeholders. The
section also conducts policy research and analysis and evaluation studies to
determine program effectiveness, and manages the Department’s grant process
and legislative mandates.
Quality Improvement
Policy and Research analysts lead efforts to find evidence-based solutions
to identified needs, then work with division staff to design and implement
these innovative approaches. Staff also lead and support efforts to
incorporate best practices to improve the quality and effectiveness of
existing programs. For example, analysts serve as leads for several of the
Department-wide performance measures, e.g., improving birth outcomes and
adopting innovative models of care for special populations.
Strategic Initiatives
The Policy and Research Section provides support for the Secretary’s Office
in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that are
cross-divisional and/or inter-agency. These initiatives also often involve
external stakeholders. For example, a Section analyst served as lead and
project manager for a joint DHS/DCF initiative to design and implement the
foster care medical home initiative. Staff also led and facilitated the
design and implementation of the medical home initiative for high risk
pregnant women in Southeast Wisconsin.
Evaluation Studies
Policy and Research analysts design and conduct evaluations of programs and
services to assess impact and ensure accountability, i.e., that programs and
services are meeting objectives. Each study also generally includes
documenting the implementation process to facilitate the ability to
replicate the program in other areas. Policy and Research analysts serve as
advisors to program staff in developing the evaluation component of
applications for federal and/or private funding and conduct evaluations of
federal waivers and federal grant-funded initiatives.
Policy Research and Analysis
Policy and Research analysts provide “quick turn-around” and in-depth
research and analysis to inform decisions about Department programs and
examine pressing issues that impact Wisconsin citizens. Recent examples
include: evidence-based approaches to medication compliance; impact of
smoking on pregnant women and the effectiveness of incentive payments to
reduce smoking among adult smokers on Medicaid.
Grants Management and Legislative Mandates
Staff in the Policy and Research Section manages and provide technical
assistance in preparing federal and private grant applications for funding.
Assistance includes general guidelines for grant preparation, coordination
with the Secretary’s Office and submittal as well as annual reporting.
Wisconsin statutes include a number of mandated reports to the
legislature on a variety of issues. The Policy and Research Section manages
this process in partnership with division staff.
Linda McCart,
Director
Policy and Research Section
P.O. Box 7850
Madison, WI 53707-7850
Phone: (608) 266-9296
Fax: (608) 267-0358
Back to Office of Policy Initiatives and Budget Home Page
Last Revised:
February 18, 2013 |
