Social Policy

1. Health Care [adopted 1978; updated 2003]

   Support of:

   1. A county-wide health department, either single county or city/county to provide:

      1. Retail food store inspection, environmental protection services and communicable and non-communicable disease services guided by state standards

      2. Consumer protection services and vital statistics record keeping

      3. Home care services either by direct provision of such service or by purchase of service from non-governmental agency

2. Housing and Community Development [adopted 1964-69, expanded from Madison to Dane County, 1983, Updated 2002]

   Support of:

   1. Primary concern for human needs assuring that all people have decent affordable housing accessible to transportation, other neighborhood resources and social services as needed

   2. Public and private programs to provide standard (safe, decent and sanitary) housing with dispersal of sites and integration of housing and services

   3. Coordination of housing policy at all government levels with continuous updating of information related to housing supply and demand

   4. Responsible inclusive zoning, building and housing codes, and community planning; periodically updated and effectively administrated and enforced, to prevent blight and preserve housing stock

   5. Use of local, state and federal funds, as well as other financial incentives, for redevelopment and rehabilitation of housing

   6. Effective public relations and information on plans and objectives to stimulate citizen understanding and participation.

3. Human Rights [adopted 1972; moved from Madison to Dane County 1980; rewritten 2003]

   Support of programs for the preservation of human rights, including:

   1. An active equal opportunities ordinance with coverage in fields of public accommodations, fair employment practices, and fair housing and provisions for adequate enforcement procedures

   2. Opposition to discrimination in the employment of qualified personnel in local government for all populations protected by law

4. Human Services – Dane County [updated 2001]

   Support of:

   1. Improving of support services for people in need through efforts to maintain or improve worker case load, provide well trained staff, increase allocation of funds and make emergency support services available on a fee or sliding fee scale to all citizens.

   2. Services to children providing for:

      1. early identification of problems and programs for remedial action.

      2. interventions which seek to meet the needs of the individual child and to minimize out-of-home placements.

      3. public supported interventions and treatment for eligible children at risk.

      4. programs available to other children on an ability to pay

   3. Day care providers offering care and protection for children of low-income families as well as other cases of demonstrated need, with public support for such care.

   4. Public agencies having responsibility and adequate staff for casework services and oversight of purchase of service providers (POS).

   5. Each board integrated in the Human Services Board should have its specific service area represented in an advisory capacity to the Board. League supports citizen membership on the Human Services Board.

      The Human Services Board is expected to:

      1. serve clients more effectively by providing a single point of accountability and responsibility

      2. provide comprehensive planning and policy development

      3. establish uniform management and equitable resource allocation

5. Long Term Care for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities [adopted 1990; revised 2005]

   Support of:

   1. A system of programs and support services that enable those with long term care needs to live as independently as possible in their communities and to avoid long term institutional care.

   2. A long term care system that has the following components:

      1. a computerized information and assistance program which is comprehensive, current, and accurate, easily accessible, and, through public education and outreach,is known to individuals, families, and the community;

      2. a program for assessing individual need, developing a plan of care that reflects a person's preferences, and managing that plan, updating it as necessary;

      3. strong coordination and cooperation among both public and private agencies that plan and determine policy for the long term care system and those that develop and deliver services.

   3. Quality assurance that is essential for the well being of individuals who need long term care.

      1. Care management personnel must demonstrate knowledge and integrity in the provision of health care and social support services.

      2. Direct care workers must receive proper training and supervision, as well as competitive wages and benefits, to assure quality lives for people who need long term care.

LWVDC Statements, Studies, and Position Updates

Comments to Medicaid.gov on Wisconsin proposal for waiver to reform BadgerCare  July 14, 2017
Statement to the Mayor in support of daycare funding September 29, 2010
Statement In Response to the Dane County Department of Human Services Proposed Budget September 8, 2009
Statement to the Madison Common Council August 17, 2009
STUDY: AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION: Quality Early Care and Education for Dane County February, 2008
Statement Regarding Board of Estimates Report to the City of Madison Common Council November 6, 2007 
Statement for Dane County Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget October 25, 2007[PDF file-not available]
STUDY: Long Term Care in Dane County 2005 
Statement Supporting City of Madison Ordinance to Provide Sick Leave Benefits to Employees December 14, 2005 and January 17, 2006
Statement in Support of Increased Human Services Budget for Dane County at Public Hearings October 24, 2004 and September 9, 2004
Call for Citizens to Urge Support of Increased County Human Services Budget - Fran Bicknell October 2004