Office of the Secretary
Area Administration:
- Administrator of the annual
DHS State-County Contract and other contracts with local agencies.
- Provide ongoing consultation
and technical assistance to counties.
- Provide oversight of local
human service programs.
- Identify issues or concerns
from the local perspective, assist DHS management in resolution.
- Facilitate communication and
coordination between counties and DHS.
- Represent DHS on statewide,
regional, and local workgroups and ongoing committees.
Contract Administrator
As the State/County Consolidated Contract Administrator for DHS, the
regional Area Administrators are responsible for assuring program
implementation and quality assurance for human services administered by
DHS. Programs include mental
health and substance abuse services; Medical Assistance and Food Share
eligibility, benefits and funding; services for children with disabilities
and adult protective services. AA
staff facilitate coordination with DCF, DWD, and DOC on overlapping issues
where necessary. AA staff has a wide variety of responsibilities related
to both program & fiscal issues as Contract Administrator. They are
viewed by counties as the primary liaisons for DHS programming.
Statewide Family Care implementation is led by the Division of Long
Term Care. As part of the Family Care Contract Administration team, AA
regional staff are responsible for certification activities of Managed
Care Organizations, contract coordination with MCOs, and assuring quality
services are provided to Family Care members.
AA staff supports development of Aging and Disability Resource
Centers (ADRC), and effective business relationships among ADRCs, MCOs,
and county agencies.
Consultation and Technical Assistance
Area Administration staff provide leadership, consultation, training
and technical assistance to local human service agencies on administrative
and program issues. The Area Administrators provide board member training
to local elected or appointed human service boards, advisory committees
and councils, and are consultants to
County
Board Members
and County Executives/Administrators on organizational issues such as
formation of Human Service Departments. The Area Administrators provide
leadership and consultation on issues such as development of program
outcomes and outcome based contracts, system development, quality
improvement, and implementation of state initiatives and policies. Area
Administration staff provide program consultation, training and technical
assistance for programs included in the State/County contract through
regular regional meetings, local site visits, and ongoing communication
with county managers and staff in the region.
Program Oversight and Monitoring
Area Administration staff participate in program quality reviews across
all program areas. As part of
the oversight responsibility, they provide technical assistance in
developing and implementing corrective action plans when necessary.
AA staff investigate and mediate consumer complaints relating to county
services or actions, interacting with consumers, legislators, and agencies
who raise complaints or concerns to DHS. AA regional office staff
are the central intake for complaints about county human services.
Resolution of complaints often involves working with county staff to
improve services and/or programming.
Issue Identification
One of the key functions of Area Administration staff is to identify
issues or concerns from the local perspective for DHS management and
assist in resolution. Local issues are identified in a variety of ways
including local monitoring, regional meetings, contacts from counties, and
complaint investigations. The Area Administration Director attends the
monthly Wisconsin County Human Services Association Executive Board
meeting as the DHS representative and prepares a summary of the meeting
for DHS management, following up directly with individual Administrators
or Bureau Directors with specific issues of concern. Local
issues or concerns are shared regularly with central office managers and
staff through regular meetings and conference calls with DHS program
divisions and bureaus, AA Monthly Reports that are distributed broadly in
DHS, and ongoing communication between AA and central office staff. AA
staff also helps to identify local and regional training needs and
facilitates training events.
Facilitate Coordination and Communication
One of the Area Administration functions is facilitating coordination
and communication between counties and DHS. AA staff support multi-county
collaboration and regional service delivery systems across program areas.
Regional service systems can improve efficiencies and access to
programming for consumers. AA staff provide leadership in program
development and implementation to better meet consumer needs while
maximizing local resources and reducing duplication across program areas. AA
staff play an important role in leading initiatives that cross multiple
program areas, bringing together representatives from multiple divisions,
departments and local agencies to meet the need of individuals and
families.
Statewide Representation for DHS
Area Administration staff regularly represent DHS on statewide,
regional, and local workgroups or committees. Staff serve on the Children
Come First Advisory Committee, DHS’ Emergency Government response teams,
and Income Maintenance Advisory Committees to name a few. They also
represent DHS on a variety of regional and local workgroups or committees.
AA staff have a broad range of
program knowledge and responsibility and are known throughout
Wisconsin
’s localities, they are often called upon to represent DHS programming
or serve on local committees or workgroups.
For more information about Area Administration please contact:
Laura Kleber
Interim Director, Area Administration
141 NW Barstow, West Bldg, Room 159
Waukesha, WI 53188
(262) 521-5113
Laura.Kleber@wisconsin.gov
Last Revised:
April 03, 2013 |
