Chapter 46

46.22(3)(c) (c) Recommend to the county social services board under sub. (2) the appointment of employees necessary to administer the functions of the county department of social services.

46.22(3)(d) (d) Make recommendations to the county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department of social services or the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department of social services who shall fix the salary of such employees.

46.22(3)(f) (f) Comply with state requirements.

46.22(3)(g) (g) Cooperate to the extent feasible with the school board, health planning agencies, law enforcement agencies, and other human service agencies, committees and planning bodies in the geographic area served by the county department of social services.

46.22(3m) (3m) County social services director in certain counties with a county executive or county administrator.

46.22(3m)(a) (a) In any county with a county executive or a county administrator that has established a single-county department of social services, the county executive or county administrator, subject to s. 49.78 (4) to (7) and the rules promulgated thereunder, shall appoint and supervise the county social services director. The appointment is subject to the confirmation of the county board of supervisors unless the county board of supervisors, by ordinance, elects to waive confirmation or unless the appointment is made under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under s. 59.52 (8) or ch. 63.

46.22(3m)(b) (b) A county social services director appointed under par. (a) shall:

46.22(3m)(b)1. 1. Supervise and administer any program established by the county department of social services.

46.22(3m)(b)1m. 1m. Supervise the operations and administration of the county department of social services.

46.22(3m)(b)2. 2. Determine administrative and program procedures.

46.22(3m)(b)3. 3. Determine, subject to the approval of the county board of supervisors and with the advice of the county social services board under sub. (2g) (e), whether services are to be provided directly by the county department of social services or contracted for with other providers and make such contracts. The county board of supervisors may elect to require the approval of any such contract by the county board of supervisors.

46.22(3m)(b)5. 5. Assist the county social services board in the preparation of the budgets required under sub. (2g) (d).

46.22(3m)(b)6. 6. Make recommendations to the county executive or county administrator regarding modifications to the proposed budget prepared by the county social services board under sub. (2g) (d).

46.22(3m)(b)7. 7. Evaluate service delivery.

46.22(3m)(b)9. 9. Establish salaries and personnel policies of the county department of social services subject to approval of the county executive or county administrator and county board of supervisors.

46.22(3m)(b)10. 10. Perform other functions necessary to manage, operate, maintain and improve programs.

46.22(3m)(b)11. 11. Comply with state requirements.

46.22(3m)(b)12. 12. Establish priorities in addition to those mandated by the department of health services, by the department of children and families, or by the department of corrections.

46.22(3m)(b)13. 13. Determine the number and location of outstations when appropriate to meet service demands.

46.22(3m)(b)15. 15. Prepare annually a full report of the operations and administration of the county department of social services.

46.22(3m)(b)16. 16. Cooperate to the extent feasible with the school board, health planning agencies, law enforcement agencies, and other human service agencies, committees and planning bodies in the geographic area served by the county department of social services.

46.22(3m)(b)17. 17. In consultation with the county social services board under sub. (2g), prepare:

46.22(3m)(b)17.a. a. Intermediate-range plans and budget.

46.22(3m)(b)17.b. b. Such other reports as are required by the secretary of health services, the secretary of children and families, the secretary of corrections, and the county board of supervisors.

46.22(4) (4) Construction.

46.22(4)(a) (a) Any reference in any law to a county department of social services under this section applies to a county department under s. 46.23 in its administration of the powers and duties of the county department of social services under s. 46.23 (3) (b).

46.22(4)(b) (b)

46.22(4)(b)1. 1. Any reference in any law to a county social services director appointed under sub. (2) (b) applies to the director of a county department appointed under s. 46.23 (5) (f) in his or her administration of the powers and duties of that county social services director.

46.22(4)(b)2. 2. Any reference in any law to a county social services director appointed under sub. (3m) (a) applies to the director of a county department appointed under s. 46.23 (6m) (intro.) in his or her administration of the powers and duties of that county social services director.

46.22(4)(c) (c)

46.22(4)(c)1. 1. Any reference in any law to a county social services board appointed under sub. (1m) (b) 1. and 3. applies to the board of a county department appointed under s. 46.23 (4) (b) 1. in its administration of the powers and duties of that county social services board.

46.22(4)(c)2. 2. Any reference in any law to a county social services board appointed under sub. (1m) (b) 2. applies to the board of a county department appointed under s. 46.23 (4) (b) 2. in its administration of the powers and duties of that county social services board.

46.22 History History: 1971 c. 164, 218; 1973 c. 90 ss. 226, 560 (3); 1973 c. 147, 333; 1975 c. 39; 1975 c. 189 s. 99 (1), (2); 1975 c. 224 ss. 52p, 146m; 1975 c. 307, 422; 1975 c. 430 s. 78; 1977 c. 29 ss. 560, 1656 (18); 1977 c. 83 s. 26; 1977 c. 418, 449; 1979 c. 34, 221; 1981 c. 20 ss. 759 to 763m, 2202 (20) (j); 1981 c. 329; 1981 c. 390 s. 252; 1983 a. 27 s. 2202 (20); 1983 a. 190 s. 7; 1983 a. 192, 193, 447; 1985 a. 29, 120; 1985 a. 176 ss. 28, 30, 59 to 105; 1985 a. 332; 1987 a. 5, 27; 1989 a. 31, 107, 336, 359; 1991 a. 39, 274; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2077 to 2111, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); 1995 a. 64, 77, 201, 289, 352, 404, 417; 1997 a. 3, 27, 35, 252; 1999 a. 9, 83; 2001 a. 16, 103; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25, 264, 344, 388, 406; 2007 a. 20 ss. 857 to 877, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 45, 96; 2009 a. 28, 180, 334; 2011 a. 32, 126; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 150, 185; 2017 a. 207 s. 5; 2019 a. 8, 9; 2023 a. 19.

46.22 Annotation Members of a social services board in a county with a county executive or a county administrator may be granted access to child abuse and neglect files under s. 48.981 if access is necessary for the performance of their statutory duties. 79 Atty. Gen. 212.

46.225 46.225 Indigency determinations. If applicable under s. 977.07 (1), a county department under s. 46.21, 46.22 or 46.23 shall make indigency determinations.

46.225 History History: 1979 c. 356; 1985 a. 176.

46.23 46.23 County department of human services.

46.23(1) (1) Intent. The intent of this section is to enable and encourage counties to develop and make available to all citizens of this state a comprehensive range of human services in an integrated and efficient manner; to utilize and expand existing governmental, voluntary and private community resources for the provision of services to prevent or ameliorate social, mental and physical disabilities; to provide for the integration of administration of those services and facilities organized under this section through the establishment of a unified administrative structure and of a unified policy-making body; and to authorize state consultative services, reviews and establishments of standards and grants-in-aid for such programs of services and facilities.

46.23(2) (2) Definitions. Except as otherwise provided, in this section:

46.23(2)(a) (a) “Human services” means the total range of services to people including, but not limited to, health care, mental illness treatment, developmental disabilities services, income maintenance, probation, extended supervision and parole services, alcohol and drug abuse services, services to children, youth and aging, family counseling, special education services, and manpower services.

46.23(2)(b) (b) “Program” means community services and facilities for the prevention and amelioration of social, mental and physical disabilities.

46.23(3) (3) County department of human services.

46.23(3)(a) (a) Creation. Upon approval by the secretary of health services, by the secretary of corrections, and by the secretary of children and families of a feasibility study and a program implementation plan, the county board of supervisors of any county with a population of less than 750,000, or the county boards of supervisors of 2 or more counties, may establish by resolution a county department of human services on a single-county or multicounty basis to provide the services required under this section. The county department of human services shall consist of the county human services board, the county human services director and necessary personnel.

46.23(3)(am) (am) Delivery of services plan.

46.23(3)(am)1. 1. The county department of human services shall prepare a local plan for the delivery of human services which includes an inventory of all existing resources, identifies needed new resources and services and contains a plan for meeting the health, mental health and social needs of individuals and families. The plan shall be based on an annual need survey of the prevalence and incidence of the various disabilities within the geographic boundaries of the county department of human services. The plan shall also include the establishment of long-range goals and intermediate-range plans, detailing priorities and estimated costs and providing for coordination of local services and continuity of care.

46.23(3)(am)2. 2. Prior to adoption of the plan by the county department of human services under subd. 1., it shall hold a public hearing on the plan. As far as practicable, the county department of human services shall annually publish or otherwise circulate notice of its proposed plan and afford interested persons opportunity to submit data or views orally or in writing.

46.23(3)(am)3. 3. The county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department of human services and the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department of human services shall review and approve the overall plan, program and budgets proposed by the county department of human services.

46.23(3)(am)4. 4. No funds may be allocated to any multicounty department of human services until the counties have drawn up a detailed contractual agreement, approved by the secretary of health services, by the secretary of corrections, and by the secretary of children and families, setting forth the plan for joint sponsorship.

46.23(3)(b) (b) Transfer of other county powers and duties.

46.23(3)(b)1. 1. If a county department of human services is established under par. (a), the county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department of human services or the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department of human services shall transfer the powers and duties of the county departments under ss. 46.22 and 51.42 to the county department of human services. The county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department of human services and the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department of human services may transfer the powers and duties of the following to the county department of human services established under par. (a):

46.23(3)(b)1.a. a. A county unit created by the county board of supervisors exercising its authority under s. 59.03 (1).

46.23(3)(b)1.am. am. A county department under s. 51.437.

46.23(3)(b)1.b. b. A local board of health for a local health department, as defined in s. 250.01 (4) (a) 1. or 2. or (c).

46.23(3)(b)1.bm. bm. A local health officer for a local health department, as defined in s. 250.01 (4) (a) 1. or 2. or (c)

46.23(3)(b)1.c. c. A local health department, as defined in s. 250.01 (4) (a) 1. or 2. or (c).

46.23(3)(b)1.d. d. Any other human services program under county control.

46.23(3)(b)2. 2.

46.23(3)(b)2.a. a. Except as provided in s. 46.21 (2m) (b) 2. a., any reference in any law to a county department under s. 46.22, 51.42 or 51.437 applies to the county department of human services under this section in its administration of the powers and duties of the county department to which the reference is made.

46.23(3)(b)2.b. b. Any reference in any law to a county director appointed under s. 46.22 (2) (b), 51.42 (5) (a) 4. or 51.437 (9) (a) applies to the county human services director appointed under sub. (5) (f) in his or her administration of the powers and duties of the county director to which the reference is made. Except as provided in s. 46.21 (2m) (b) 2. b., any reference in any law to a county director appointed under s. 46.22 (3m) (a), 51.42 (6m) (intro.) or 51.437 (10m) (intro.) applies to the county human services director appointed under sub. (6m) (intro.) in his or her administration of the powers and duties of the county director to which the reference is made.

46.23(3)(b)2.c. c. Any reference to a county board appointed under s. 46.22 (1m) (b) 1., 51.42 (4) (a) 1. or 51.437 (7) (a) 1. applies to the county human services board appointed under sub. (4) (b) 1. in its administration of the powers and duties of the county board to which the reference is made. Except as provided in s. 46.21 (2m) (b) 2. c., any reference in any law to the county board appointed under s. 46.22 (1m) (b) 2., 51.42 (4) (a) 2. or 51.437 (7) (a) 2. applies to the county human services board appointed under sub. (4) (b) 2. in its administration of the powers and duties of the county board to which the reference is made.

46.23(3)(b)2.d. d. The powers and duties of the county department of human services under s. 46.21 (2m) do not apply to this section.

46.23(3)(d) (d) Employee protections. All persons employed by a county or by the state, whose functions are assumed by a county department of human services shall continue as employees of the county department of human services without loss in seniority, status or benefits, subject to the merit or civil service system.

46.23(3)(e) (e) Exchange of information; long-term care. Notwithstanding ss. 46.2895 (9), 48.78 (2) (a), 49.45 (4), 49.83, 51.30, 51.45 (14) (a), 55.22 (3), 146.82, 252.11 (7), 253.07 (3) (c), and 938.78 (2) (a), a subunit of a county department of human services or tribal agency acting under this section may exchange confidential information about a client, without the informed consent of the client, with any other subunit of the same county department of human services or tribal agency, with a resource center, a care management organization, or a long-term care district, with an elder-adult-at-risk agency, an adult-at-risk agency, or any agency to which referral for investigation is made under s. 46.90 (5) (a) 1. or 55.043 (1r) (a) 1g., or with a person providing services to the client under a purchase of services contract with the county department of human services or tribal agency or with a resource center, a care management organization, or a long-term care district, if necessary to enable an employee or service provider to perform his or her duties, or to enable the county department of human services or tribal agency to coordinate the delivery of services to the client. An agency that releases information under this paragraph shall document that a request for information was received and what information was provided.

46.23(3)(ed) (ed) Exchange of information; statewide automated child welfare information system. Notwithstanding ss. 46.2895 (9), 48.396 (1) and (2) (a), 48.78 (2) (a), 48.981 (7), 49.45 (4), 49.83, 51.30, 51.45 (14) (a), 55.22 (3), 146.82, 252.11 (7), 252.15, 253.07 (3) (c), 938.396 (1) (a) and (2), and 938.78 (2) (a), a county department under this section may enter the content of any record kept or information received by that county department into the statewide automated child welfare information system established under s. 48.47 (7g).

46.23(4) (4) County human services board.

46.23(4)(a) (a) Composition.

46.23(4)(a)1. 1. In any single-county or multicounty department of human services, the county human services board shall be composed of not less than 7 nor more than 15 persons of recognized ability and demonstrated interest in human services. Not less than one-third nor more than two-thirds of the county human services board members may be members of the county board of supervisors. At least one member appointed to a county human services board shall be an individual who receives or has received human services or shall be a family member of such an individual. The remainder of the county human services board members shall be consumers of services or citizens-at-large. No public or private provider of services may be appointed to the county human services board.

46.23(4)(a)2. 2. In a multicounty department of human services, the county human services board shall be constituted so that the representation shall be as equal as possible among the participating counties.

46.23(4)(b) (b) Appointment.

46.23(4)(b)1. 1. Except as provided under subd. 2., the county board of supervisors in a county which has established a single-county department of human services or the county boards of supervisors in counties which have established a multicounty department of human services shall, before qualification under this section, appoint a governing and policy-making board to be known as the county human services board.

46.23(4)(b)2. 2. In any county with a county executive or county administrator and which has established a single-county department of human services, the county executive or county administrator shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the county board of supervisors, the county human services board, which shall be only a policy-making body determining the broad outlines and principles governing the administration of programs under this section. A member of a county human services board appointed under this subdivision may be removed by the county executive or county administrator on due notice in writing.

46.23(4)(c) (c) Terms. Members of a county human services board shall serve for terms of 3 years, so arranged that as nearly as practicable, the terms of one-third of the members shall expire each year. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. A county human services board member appointed under par. (b) 1. may be removed from office for the following reasons:

46.23(4)(c)1. 1. By a two-thirds vote of each county board of supervisors participating in the appointment, on due notice in writing.

46.23(4)(c)2. 2. If the member when appointed was a member of the county board of supervisors and was not reelected to that office, on due notice in writing.

46.23(5) (5) Powers and duties of county human services board in certain counties. A county human services board appointed under sub. (4) (b) 1.:

46.23(5)(a) (a)

46.23(5)(a)1. 1. Shall determine administrative and program policies, except as provided under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49 and except for policies relating to community-based juvenile delinquency-related services or to the purchase of juvenile correctional services, within limits established by the department of health services. Policy decisions, except as provided under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49 and except for policy decisions relating to community-based juvenile delinquency-related services or to the purchase of juvenile correctional services, that are not reserved by statute for the department of health services may be delegated by the secretary to the county human services board.

46.23(5)(a)2. 2. Shall determine administrative and program policies under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49 and administrative and program policies relating to community-based juvenile delinquency-related services within limits established by the department of children and families. Policy decisions under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49 and policy decisions relating to community-based juvenile delinquency-related services that are not reserved by statute for the department of children and families may be delegated by the secretary of children and families to the county human services board.

46.23(5)(a)3. 3. Shall determine administrative programs and policies relating to the purchase of juvenile correctional services within limits established by the department of corrections. Policy decisions relating to the purchase of juvenile correctional services that are not reserved by statute for the department of corrections may be delegated by the secretary of corrections to the county human services board.

46.23(5)(b) (b) Shall establish priorities in addition to those mandated by the department of health services, the department of corrections, or the department of children and families.

46.23(5)(c) (c)

46.23(5)(c)1. 1. Shall determine whether state mandated services, except for services under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49, community-based juvenile delinquency-related services, and juvenile correctional services, are provided by, purchased from, or contracted for with local providers, and monitor the performance of those contracts. Purchase of services contracts shall be subject to the conditions specified in s. 46.036.

46.23(5)(c)2. 2. Shall determine whether state mandated services under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49 and state-mandated community-based juvenile delinquency-related services are provided by, purchased from, or contracted for with local providers, and monitor the performance of those contracts. Purchase of services contracts shall be subject to the conditions specified in s. 49.34.

46.23(5)(c)3. 3. Shall monitor the performance of contracts for the purchase of juvenile correctional services.

46.23(5)(d) (d) Shall determine, subject to the approval of the county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department of human services or the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department of human services and with the advice of the county human services director appointed under par. (f), whether services are to be provided directly by the county department of human services or contracted for with other providers and make such contracts. The county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department of human services or the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department of human services may elect to require the approval of any such contract by the county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department of human services or the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department of human services.

46.23(5)(e) (e) Shall represent human service agencies, professionals and consumers of services in negotiations with the state and federal governments.

46.23(5)(f) (f) Shall appoint a county human services director on the basis of recognized and demonstrated interest in and knowledge of human services problems, with due regard to training, experience, executive and administrative ability and general qualification and fitness for the performance of the duties of the county human services director. The appointment is subject to the personnel policies and procedures established by each county board of supervisors which participated in the appointment of the county human services board.

46.23(5)(g) (g) Shall appoint advisory committees for the purpose of receiving community, professional or technical information concerning particular policy considerations.

46.23(5)(h) (h) Shall determine the number and location of outstations when appropriate to meet service demands.