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TANF Section, WIOA Combined Plan Modifications 2026

16 preventing the removal of children from their homes. The organization has implemented enhancements to the Northside Early Childhood Zone (NECZ), a two-generational home visiting approach to enhancing parents’ capacities to support their children to reach their potential and reduce formal intervention with Dane County CPS for families at the highest risk of child neglect. The DCF Prevention Grant will provide greater access to employment and education supports and mental health therapist services. Vitality Cafes and additional trainings will be implemented. The organization decides eligibility using an assessment tool for screening for child neglect and neediness:

Eligible for Tier 1 services: Families with children under the age of four who are currently residing in the 53704 zip code and are screened as high-risk for neglect. Eligible for Tier 2 services: Families already receiving NECZ services that do not screen as high-risk for neglect. Eligible for Tier 3 services: Families from Madison’s north side with children ages 0-5 who are in need of concrete basic needs supports.

Northwest Connection Family Resources, Hayward, Wisconsin Northwest Connection Family Resources has implemented the Community Response program model with ‘Northern Enhancements’ in accordance with the Community Response Program Manual. This short-term prevention program includes case management, home visits, collaborative goal setting, comprehensive family assessments, and flex funds to address critical financial stressors. After a referral is made, the Community Response Specialist (CRS) calls the family within four days to introduce the program and schedule a follow up appointment. The CRS notifies the family that services are voluntary and explains the purpose of the program. The CRS completes an intake process. Services are provided in the family’s home or a location convenient for the family. Services are typically provided for 12-20 weeks, though Northwest Connection Family Resources will extend the length of services based on family need.

Additionally, Northwest Connection Family Resources will provide new baby visits to parents of newborns, which includes one visit at the hospital (when timing allows/when hospital is open to visitors), three additional home visits may be offered based on the parental/newborn needs in the family's home. The Period of Purple crying program will be implemented. Two Parent Cafés will also be offered. (Additional Parent Cafés may be offered based on funding). Each Parent Café will include three two-hour sessions that include greetings, family dinner or snacks, parent discussions in small groups, a family activity (materials/supplies needed provided to each family by delivery or pick-up if offered virtually), and goodbye closing.

Eligibility: Northwest Connection Family Resources will provide Community Response services to families in Sawyer County and the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe who are screened out after a Child Protective Services report has been made or when the case is closed after an initial assessment. Eligibility will be expanded and referrals will also be received from other community partners such as schools and health care centers (Eligibility will be expanded to serve families who are working in Sawyer County or have children enrolled in child care or school in Sawyer County.) This allows families who identify Sawyer County as their primary community for services to receive CRP services. It is anticipated that 100 new parents will receive new baby visits and/or complete “Babies Cry: Be Prepared” created by