September 23, 2009

Comments by Reggie Bicha, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Children & Families, to the Special Committee on Child Welfare Provider Rate Implementation

On September 23, 2009, the Wisconsin legislature's Special Committee on Child Welfare Provider Rate Implementation met for the first time to discuss its work to review the implementation of a new child welfare rate regulation system for children's residential services. Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Reggie Bicha addressed the committee at its first meeting. He framed the state's dilemma: DCF wants to ensure that a full range of residential care options are available for children and also establish a provider reimbursement structure that results in a more effective use of residential care, better outcomes for children, and more state control over the cost of care.