A new statute required installation of fire detection, prevention or suppression devices in all public buildings and places of employment.

Lowell B. Jackson
  

Wisconsin became the first state to pass legislation including "sexual orientation" as a protected category under state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Another new law granted employees access to information on toxic substances and pesticides to which they were exposed in the workplace.

A public employees "OSHA" law was passed by the legislature to provide state and local government workers with protection and rights equal to those granted private-sector employees under the federal OSHA law of 1971.
  

James J. Gosling

Wisconsin was a national leader for 100 years in labor market information, apprenticeship, unemployment compensation, workers, compensation, wage and hour legislation, health and safety, equal rights, and job training. At its centennial point, DILHR had 2500 employees and a budget of $129 million dollars.

Howard Bellman
  

DILHR assumed administrative responsibility for JTPA, the Job Training Partnership Act.

The first Job Center opened in Southwest Wisconsin. Job Centers were created to consolidate state and county job service programs.
  

The Wisconsin Work Experience & Job Training program required AFDC recipients to get job-search and skill training and employment.
  

The Healthy Start Medicaid was implemented which covered all children under 6 years and pregnant women up to 100% of federal poverty level, with 100% state money.  Healthy Start is just one of the child care assistance benefits that supplements job assistance programs.

John T. Coughlin
  

Healthy Start expanded to 120% of federal poverty level for pregnant women and children under 6 years.

The Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act became effective on April 15, 1988.
  

Gerald Whitburn
  

Carol Skornicka became the first woman cabinet secretary for DILHR and DWD.

Carol Skornicka

  Priority for service given to individuals with the most severe disabilities.

  Definitions of disability changed to conform to definitions in ADA, IDEA and Tech Act.

  Mandated State Rehabilitation Advisory Council.

  Established the statewide Independent Living Council.
  

  Jobs and Business Development program funded to help low-income entrepreneurs develop businesses in Wisconsin.

  DILHR celebrated 110 years of existence and 25 years as an agency. In 1993, there were 2,199 employees and a budget of $233.3 million.

The U.S. Family Medical Leave Act became law effective February 5, 1993.
  

  First JobNet operational at Dane County Job Center. JobNet is a touch-screen list of job openings.

  Governor Thompson creates the Governor's Task Force on the Glass Ceiling Initiative, to recommend measures to ensure that the state's economy takes full advantage of the talents of Wisconsin women and minorities.
  

  Wisconsin received a federal One-Stop Job Center Grant to establish job centers throughout the state.  Wisconsin's newest Job Center opened in Wisconsin Rapids on October 26^th. Nine agencies offer job seekers and employers in that area many services under one roof. 

  The JobNet automated job matching system was expanded throughout the state.

  In April 1994, DILHR became one of the first Wisconsin agencies to establish an internet web presence to provide information and assistance to the public.

  Governor Thompson appointed the Glass Ceiling Commission, the first such state commission in the nation to encourage businesses and organizations to voluntarily eliminate barriers and promote the advancement of women and minorities to upper ranks of management.
  

  Work First tries to divert AFDC applicants from welfare to other resources.

  Wisconsin implemented Medicaid reciprocity for migrant farm workers from another state.

  Wisconsin uses annualized income and 12 month reviews for migrant families making it easier to apply for Medicaid.

  Wisconsin Medicaid coverage was  extended to children born to a Medicaid recipient for first year, regardless of changes in family income.

  Healthy Start was expanded to incomes of 185% of federal poverty level for pregnant women and children under 6 years.

  On June 23, 1995, the first of 54 local Unemployment Offices closed in Baraboo, marking a major change in how Unemployment claims were filed in Wisconsin. DILHR began implementing an all-telephonic claims system with completion scheduled for Spring 1996. This eventually allowed DILHR and DWD to close 54 local offices and eliminate 118 positions in those offices. DWD then worked with the employees and their union to find transfer opportunities for those affected by this major business change.

  Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to implement telephone Initial Claims.
 

  Work Not Welfare began in two counties which limited AFDC benefits to 24 months and required recipients to work.

  The new welfare plan called W-2 (Wisconsin Works) was unveiled to the news media and people of Wisconsin during a news conference.

  The Glass Ceiling Commission issued the first Diamond Awards  recognizing Wisconsin organizations which have  programs to enhance upper level career opportunities for women and minorities.

  The Division of Safety and Buildings moved to the new Department of Commerce.

  The divisions of Economic Support and Vocational Rehabilitation became part of DWD (moving from the Department of Health and Social Services).

  Pay for Performance required up-front job search and emphasized AFDC as a short-term source of income.

  Wisconsin's welfare reform program Wisconsin Works (W-2) was signed into law.

  Unemployment Insurance went  statewide with the Telephone Initial Claims system (TICS). This completed the major initiative to close all local unemployment offices and eliminate long lines at those offices.

  JobNet workstations especially designed for the disabled were made available.

	U.S. Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996:
		Created Temporary Assistance for  Needy Families Block Grant program  to replace AFDC.
		Mandated the National Directory of New Hires as a national resource to assist States in locating child  support obligors working in other  states and improve child support collection efforts.

  KIDS, the child support computer system, was implemented statewide.

  The Uninsured Employers Fund started paying claims on July 1, 1996. The UEF pays worker's compensation benefits on valid worker's compensation claims filed by employees who are injured while working for illegally uninsured Wisconsin employers.
  

  Wisconsin Works (W-2) began statewide.  
More information about W-2 innovations.

  Wisconsin's child care budget tripled, and child care subsidy waiting lists were eliminated.

  DWD opened the Business Resource Network on the Internet as a site to guide Wisconsin businesses to useful information in the Internet. The site received a U.S. Dept. of Labor Customer Service Award.

Linda Stewart

  Wisconsin was the first state to use an Interactive Voice Response telephone system to capture a full unemployment insurance initial claim.

  US Workforce Investment Act of 1998
    (replaced JTPA).
     Included Rehabilitation Amendments 
      of 1998.
     Emphasized informed choice by
      individuals with disabilities.
     Supported cooperation, collaboration
      and coordination with other programs.

  Wisconsin established the Forward Award to recognize Wisconsin organizations for significant achievements in continuous improvement and performance management. The program was created in DWD and later transferred to a private non-profit organization.

                   

  Wisconsin ended AFDC after seven  months transition to W-2.  Governor Tommy Thompson was present for the issuance of the last paper AFDC welfare check in Wisconsin.

  Wisconsin Act 191 provides administrative enforcement of child support orders (e.g. liens, license suspension or denial, account seizure).

  Administrative Rule DWD 43 adopted to define administrative enforcement tools for child support orders as provided in Wisconsin Act 191.

  New Centralized Receipt and Disbursement system allowed custodial parents to receive their child support checks from non-custodial parents through a central collections and disbursement unit.