Children's System of Care

Wisconsin’s Children’s System of Care seeks to improve the health, safety, and well-being of children and families. It recognizes the importance of family, school, and community in promoting the full potential of every child by addressing their physical, emotional, intellectual, cultural, and social needs.

The vision is that children and families are valued, understood, and supported in their communities.

To achieve this vision, many agencies are working together to ensure children and families have access to what they need to thrive. These agencies include agencies focused on physical health, mental health, education, child welfare, and youth justice.

The mission is simple: Wisconsin’s Children’s System of Care is a way of helping children and families receive the right help, at the right time, in the right amount by connecting and coordinating the work of all system partners.

Essential children's resources

Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children's Resource Network Logo

Wisconsin Wayfinder supports families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, and mental health conditions. Children’s resource guides are helpers who assist families, caregivers, professionals, and organizations in finding a wide array of supports and services available through the Children’s Resource Network.

Key partners

  • Children and families are at the center of this work. The goal is to give them a voice and choice in the services and supports they need.
  • Tribal nation and county governments are responsible for building partnerships at the local level. The goal is to eliminate barriers to services and supports and empower local providers to connect for the good of children and families.
  • Local coordinating committees are responsible for supporting the work of tribal nation and county governments. The goal is to ensure the sustainability of the partnerships established.
  • State agencies are responsible for establishing partnerships with each other; supporting tribal nation governments, county governments, and coordinating committees; and training providers of services and supports to advance implementation of the system of care. The goal is to ensure that all partners are engaged and equipped for success.
  • The Children Come First Advisory Committee is responsible for guiding the transformation of the system of care. This goal is to ensure all partners are leveraging their collective resources to affect and sustain positive change.

Three components

The three components of Wisconsin’s Children’s System of Care include:

  • A clear philosophy intended to guide the delivery of services and supports.
  • An infrastructure to fulfill essential functions.
  • A comprehensive array of services and supports.

Select an option below to learn more about these components.

Children’s System of Care Summit

More than 200 people attended the Children’s System of Care Summit held April 25-26, 2023, in Wausau. This event was designed to engage, equip, and empower tribal nations and counties in the evolution of their children’s system of care.

Select an option below to view materials from this event.

Current priorities

The Children Come First Advisory Committee supported a strategic planning process that created five priorities for Wisconsin's Children System of Care based on the information shared at the 2023 summit.

The priorities for 2024-2030 include:

  • Governance, funding, and state-local partnerships.
  • Public health approach: health and mental health integration.
  • Crisis support, specialized residential services and supports, and respite.
  • Parent and youth peer support initiatives.
  • Workforce development.

Select an option below to learn more about the key results expected for these priority areas.

Resources for tribal nation and county governments

Children’s System of Care Guiding Document, P-02093 (PDF)
This item provides an overview of the principles of Wisconsin’s Children’s System of Care and resource areas to consider in system of care development when blending Coordinated Services Teams Initiatives, Comprehensive Community Services, and the wraparound model.

Children’s System of Care: Foundations of Wisconsin Wraparound Video Series
This item is a collection of videos that provide an overview of application of the wraparound model in Wisconsin.

Care Coordinator and Supervisor Competencies, P-03084 (PDF)
This item provides information on the knowledge and core skills necessary for care coordinators and their supervisors to provide quality services to children and families.

Collaborative Systems of Care Resource Website
This item provides information to support improvements to Wisconsin’s Children’s System of Care, including information on training opportunities.

Children’s System of Care: Self-Assessment Tool, P-02093B (Excel)
This item assists in identifying local strengths and needs related to the system of care principles and infrastructure. Before completing it, review the instructions document, P-02093C (PDF).

Toolkit for Expanding the System of Care Approach (PDF)
This item provides information on tools available to support the implementation of a system of care.

The Evolution of the System of Care Approach (PDF)
This item provides updates on the array of services and support, infrastructure, and philosophy components that make up the system of care framework.

Last revised October 11, 2024