Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Statement by J. Jean Rogers, Administrator, Economic Support Division:

Wisconsin has not chosen the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Family Violence Option, which would exempt domestic violence victims from participation requirements.

Wisconsin is one of 20 states that elected not to exempt domestic violence victims from W-2. This was done to insure these individuals receive support and assistance at this critical junction in their lives. The needs of domestic violence victims were given careful consideration in the development the W-2 program.

W-2 requires an individualized case management plan, which is based upon an assessment of an individual’s ability to obtain full-time employment.

This assessment must take into consideration an individual’s physical and mental health, as well as the entire family situation. Appropriate activities are assigned to assist the family in moving closer to self-sufficiency.

In addition to work preparation activities, assignments may also include mental health counseling, alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) counseling, physical rehabilitation, or looking for a new living arrangement.

Good cause for child support noncooperation exempts domestic violence victims from cooperating with the child support agency in the enforcement of court orders or establishing paternity by the absent parent.

Individual W-2 agencies have worked closely with advocates for domestic violence victims in developing creative approaches to providing services to these individuals.

The decision not to choose the Family Violence Option was supported by the Wisconsin Coalition of Domestic Violence. The Coalition agreed that domestic violence victims should not be excluded from receiving appropriate case management services and remain in further isolation.