Application to Participate in the Children's System of Care Policy Academy

Wisconsin's Children's System of Care Policy Academy is designed to support Tribal nations and counties in strengthening their local children's system of care through a structured assessment, cross-system collaboration, and guided learning sessions.

One Tribal nation and five counties (one each from the five Wisconsin Department of Health Services regions) will be selected to participate in a six-month process focused on family-driven and youth-guided practice and sustainable system change.

Eligible applicants

All Tribal nations and counties are eligible to apply.

Participation requirements

Selected applicants will be required to:

Complete three-to-five virtual guided learning sessions from April through July 2026.
- Each session will be facilitated by a champion of Wisconsin Children's System of Care to support completion of an assessment of the community's local system of care and plan to address areas of opportunity. The champion of Wisconsin Children's System of Care will serve as a:
  - Wraparound principles and system of care core components subject matter consultant.
  - Neutral facilitator.
  - Mediator that supports the development of ground rules.
  - Timekeeper and scheduler.
Participate in an in-person workshop August 12-13, 2026, (location to be determined) aimed to engage, equip, and empower. Costs for lodging and travel for this workshop will be covered according to state travel rates.
- This workshop will include:
  - Guided learning sessions on system of care principles.
  - Cross-system collaborative learning and sharing.
  - Subject matter consultation related to process improvement, action plan development, and action plan implementation.
Share their action plan and progress during the virtual October 27, 2026, Children Come First Advisory Committee meeting.
Consider accessing ongoing coaching and subject matter consulting to support implementation of their action plan.

Materials to review

Agencies interested in applying to be part of Wisconsin's Children's System of Care Policy Academy should review these resources before completing their application.

Application process

Applications must be submitted by March 20, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.

Complete all parts of this form to apply to participate in Wisconsin's Children's System of Care Policy Academy. Responses should be clear, concise, and reflect the applicant’s local system of care and needs.

Applications will be reviewed by staff in the Division Care and Treatment Services using a 100-point scale. Tribal nations and counties with the highest scored applications that best meet the goals and objectives of this project will be considered for participation. One Tribal nation and five counties (one each from the five Wisconsin Department of Health Services regions) will be selected to participate.

Team composition: 20 points
Community strengths: 20 points
Community challenges: 20 points
Community engagement: 20 points
Plan to meet policy academy participation requirements: 20 points

Send questions about Wisconsin's Children's System of Care Policy Academy, this form, and the application process to DHSDCTSchildrenSOC@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Name of Tribal nation or county *This question is required.

Your name, role, and email *This question is required.

Name *This question is required.

Role

Email This question requires a valid email address.

Each team participating in Wisconsin's Children's System of Care Policy Academy must include someone with lived/living experience (parent, caregiver, young adult) and up to five people who represent their local system of care. These five people should be people committed to the vision of Wisconsin's Children’s System of Care, including members of the local coordination/coordinating committee and community partners (child welfare, youth justice, education, primary care) *This question is required.20 points

Lived/living experience (parent, caregiver, young adult) name/email
System of care partner 1 (name, role, email)
System of care partner 2 (name, role, email)
System of care partner 3 (name, role, email)
System of care partner 4 (name, role, email)
System of care partner 5 (name, role, email)

In 500 words or less, describe what you see as your community’s greatest strengths in supporting children, youth, and families. *This question is required. 20 points

In 500 words or less, describe the challenges your system of care currently faces that you hope to address through Wisconsin's Children's System of Care Policy Academy. If your community has previously completed the Children’s System of Care: Self-Assessment Tool, what are the challenges that still need to be addressed? *This question is required. 20 points

In 500 words or less, describe how your community currently engages parents/caregivers, youth, and cross-system partners in decision-making? *This question is required. 20 points

In 500 words or less, describe how your Tribal nation or county will ensure: *This question is required.

Full participation in meeting with your designated system of care consultant.
Full team attendance (all people identified in this application) at an in-person workshop August 12-13, 2026.
One team member's attendance at the virtual October 27, 2026, Children Come First Advisory Committee meeting to present your action plan and progress.

20 points