Local service providers urge Rock County to keep Community Initiatives Program centralized

Three representatives of local social‑service organizations spoke during the citizen participation portion of the Rock County Board meeting to thank the board and staff committee for retaining the Community Initiatives Program and to urge how the program is administered remain transparent.

Britney De Lao, speaking on behalf of the YWCA, said the YWCA “express our sincere appreciation to the staff committee and board for the decision to not eliminate the community initiatives program,” and said the organization values the county’s inclusive approach to reforming the program.

Heidi Deininger, executive director of YWCA Rock County, told supervisors that the YWCA provides services across human services and public safety systems, runs a shelter and offers training such as lethality assessment protocol instruction for law enforcement, and thanked the board for continuing the program while reforms proceed.

Kelsey Hood Christiansen of Family Services of Southern Wisconsin said the Community Initiatives Program has supported local advocacy and coordinated services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. She asked the board to keep administrative responsibility with the county administrator rather than shifting it to individual departments so that nonprofit partners can focus on direct service rather than administrative burdens.

No formal action was taken during the public‑comment period; the remarks were part of citizen participation and communications.