Dane, Dodge, Marquette and Sauk Counties Team Up to Submit Proposal to Operate Wisconsin Works (W-2) Programs in 2004-05

June 27, 2003
Sharyn Wisniewski, 267-8823 See additional contact names at end of release.

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today announced that Dane, Dodge, Marquette and Sauk Counties have submitted a joint proposal to the State of Wisconsin to operate their Wisconsin Works (W-2) programs in 2004 and 2005. The four county partnership, known as the Capitol Consortium, submitted its proposal today to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) for the $14.7 million two-year contract. “By joining forces with our neighboring counties we each hope to provide a better W-2 program to our citizens,” said Falk. The counties in the consortium have all operated the W-2 program in their counties since its inception in 1997. But, never before have they operated jointly. Wisconsin Works replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program in September 1997 and focuses on finding work for W-2 participants, including unsubsidized employment, community service jobs, trial jobs, and transition to work activities. Each county operates the program under its human services department providing seamless links to other non-W-2 services that might be of benefit to W-2 participants, such as child care, short term training, job placement, transportation, food stamps, medical assistance and Badger Care. Each county also has a Job Center that provides comprehensive services for employers and job seekers - from online recruiting to labor market information and training opportunities. “The Capitol Consortium partnership pools the resources of the four counties to guarantee a comprehensive program to those we serve,” said David Titus, director of the Dodge County Human Service and Health Department. “This proposed partnership allows for the best of each agency to be available to all who are helped by W-2.” “This is a tremendous opportunity for our county human services departments to work collaboratively, sharing resources to most effectively operate W2,” said Bill Orth, director of the Marquette County Department of Human Services. The Capitol Consortium members said they believe they can achieve cost efficiencies across the four-county area in contracted services and by sharing other resources. “This proposed consortium could well be the model for enhanced cooperation and efficiency in the delivery of W-2 and other human services programs,” said Lynn Green, director of the Dane County Department of Human Services. DWD will review proposals submitted by various agencies across the state and select agencies to operate the W-2 program in each county by early August. Contact Information: David W. Carlson Communications Manager Dane County Human Services (608) 242-6424 David Titus, Director Dodge Co. Human Service & Health Dept. 920-386-3534 Bill Orth, Director Marquette County Department of Human Services 608-297-9136 ext 243 Ken Cady, Director Sauk County Department of Human Services (608) 355-4276 # # #