Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commission Membership And Agency Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dane County commission welcomes new members; agencies report staffing, program and summer-planning updates
Summary
New and continuing members of the Dane County victim-services advisory commission introduced themselves and agency representatives reported staffing changes, summer planning and program shifts including forensic nursing, a short-term trauma model for children and a bilingual hire in the district attorney's office.
Dana Pellebon, chair of the Dane County advisory commission on victim services, opened a virtual meeting by asking members to introduce themselves and note their roles and pronouns. New and returning members included county supervisor Erin Welsh and representatives from service providers across Dane County.
The introductions gave way to agency updates in which several organizations described staffing changes and program planning for the summer and coming year. Erin Welsh identified herself as a county supervisor for District 7 and as deputy director in the Office of Crime Victim Services for the Wisconsin Department of Justice. "It's good to see some new faces on here. So welcome," she said.
University Health Services (UHS) reported campus-focused work to adapt services for the summer. Molly Caridana, leading the UHS Survivor Services Program and the chancellor's designee for the university, said UHS is "internalizing forensic nurse exams" so exams will be available at Meriter and through campus health, and that UHS is launching a strategic plan impacting future work. Molly also noted a new mental health provider starting soon.
Jennifer Ginsberg, executive director of Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center, described rising demand and staff stress after a recent spike in cases. She said Safe Harbor staff is implementing a new short-term trauma treatment model of five to eight sessions aimed at increasing access for children on waiting lists.
Amy Brown, director of victim services in the Dane County District Attorney's Office, said the office recently hosted a statewide victim-witness conference and is recruiting a bilingual Spanish victim-witness case manager.
Beth Freeman, manager of Adult Protective Services (APS), outlined recent APS staffing additions: a full-time investigator starting June 16 and a dementia support case manager already on staff. Freeman said APS has made an offer for a project manager to lead a feasibility study for a dementia stabilization and care transition unit funded for feasibility work only. "The funding is just intended for feasibility to determine basically yes, no, or maybe," she said.
Several presenters flagged summer service pressures, including loss of eligibility for Medicaid (MA) for some clients, and the need to plan for children out of school. Vanessa Statham, CCS service director and psychotherapist, and Cheryl (executive director at the Rainbow Project) both said waiting lists and resource strain remain concerns.
The commission also noted upcoming public events: a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Shredfest scheduled for June 13 at Warner Park and an October leadership coalition conference. Chair Dana Pellebon said she will follow up with new members to explain the commission's advisory role and invite them to relevant CCR (coordinated community response) subcommittees.
Ending: Members agreed to continue agency updates at future meetings and the chair reminded new members that county board and executive outreach is part of the commission's advisory work.
