2026 Wisconsin Children's System of Care Champion Award Nomination

The Wisconsin Children Come First Advisory Committee (CCFAC) advocates for and supports the development of a statewide Children’s System of Care to ensure children and families are valued, understood, and supported in their communities.

Contributions to this effort happen at both the local and statewide level by teams within Tribal nations, counties, and other organizations committed to advocating, collaborating, and providing services and leadership.

Members of the CCFAC would like to honor local systems that have made extraordinary contributions to the expansion and evolution of system of care efforts with the Children’s System of Care Champion Award.

The fourth Children’s System of Care Champion Award presentation day and time is to be determined.

The deadline for nominations is July 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Please consider potential local system nominees who have made significant contributions at local, regional, or statewide levels, in either the recent past or over a significant period of time. Previous years nominations may be resubmitted.

This is an opportunity to remember and recognize local systems that have contributed to the growth of Wisconsin’s Children’s System of Care.

If you have questions, please reach out to DHSDCTSChildrenSOC@dhs.wisconsin.gov or to a CCFAC member.

Members of the CCFAC will review the nominations and gather additional information as needed before selecting the winner.

Date you are completing this form *This question is required. This question requires a valid date format of MM/DD/YYYY.

calendar

Provide your information *This question is required.

Name *This question is required.

Email *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

Relationship to the nominee *This question is required.

Provide nominee information

Name of local system
Email/phone number for the agency/organization being nominated
Role within the context of the Children's System of Care

**Please included the agency/organization contact information and include the name of a person at the agency as the contact person.** *This question is required.

How month/years has the agency/organization been involved with the Children's System of Care? *This question is required.

What are the local agency/organization accomplishments related to Wisconsin's Children’s System of Care? *This question is required. Topic(s) important to the local system of care may include but are not limited to areas referenced below:

Philosophy
The system of care philosophy is the foundation of service delivery and includes the guiding values of:

Family and young adult voice and choice
Community-based
Culturally and linguistically responsive systems and services
Unconditional care

Components
The system of care core components referenced in the evolution of the system of care approach article are:

A comprehensive array of services and supports
Individualized, strength-based services and supports
Evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence
Trauma-informed
Least restrictive natural environment
Partnerships with families and youth
Interagency collaboration
Care coordination
Health-mental health integration
Developmentally appropriate services and supports.
Public health approach
Mental health equity
Data-driven and accountability
Rights protection and advocacy

Infrastructure
The system of care infrastructure includes structures, policies, statutes/rules, and processes for such functions as system management, data management, quality improvement, interagency partnerships, partnerships with youth and family organizations and leaders, financing, and workforce development among others.

Array of services and supports
In Wisconsin, the intent is to create a comprehensive array of services and supports that include a range of home- and community-based treatment interventions along with inpatient and residential interventions with links to community services. Supports and services should be of high quality, evidenced informed, responsive to the culturally diverse populations served, and easily accessible and coordinated across health and mental health providers. This array of services and support should include mobile crisis response and stabilization services, intensive care coordination using a wraparound approach, intensive in-home mental health treatment, respite care, parent and youth peer supports, flex funds, treatments addressing trauma, and telehealth as appropriate. The supports and services provided to an individual young person and their family should be determined through a continuous and family-centered process that identifies the combination and intensity of supports and services that would be most beneficial.