Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 46 - Social services.
46.23 - County department of human services.

46.23 County department of human services.
(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.
(2) Definitions. Except as otherwise provided, in this section:
(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.
(b) “Program" means community services and facilities for the prevention and amelioration of social, mental and physical disabilities.
(3) County department of human services.
(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.
(am) Delivery of services plan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(b) Transfer of other county powers and duties.
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):
a. A county unit created by the county board of supervisors exercising its authority under s. 59.03 (1).
am. A county department under s. 51.437.
b. A local board of health for a local health department, as defined in s. 250.01 (4) (a) 1. or 2. or (c).
bm. A local health officer for a local health department, as defined in s. 250.01 (4) (a) 1. or 2. or (c)
c. A local health department, as defined in s. 250.01 (4) (a) 1. or 2. or (c).
d. Any other human services program under county control.
2.
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.
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.
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.
d. The powers and duties of the county department of human services under s. 46.21 (2m) do not apply to this section.
(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.
(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.
(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).
(4) County human services board.
(a) Composition.
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.
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.
(b) Appointment.
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.
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.
(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:
1. By a two-thirds vote of each county board of supervisors participating in the appointment, on due notice in writing.
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.
(5) Powers and duties of county human services board in certain counties. A county human services board appointed under sub. (4) (b) 1.:
(a)
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.
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.
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.
(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.
(c)
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.
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.
3. Shall monitor the performance of contracts for the purchase of juvenile correctional services.
(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.
(e) Shall represent human service agencies, professionals and consumers of services in negotiations with the state and federal governments.
(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.
(g) Shall appoint advisory committees for the purpose of receiving community, professional or technical information concerning particular policy considerations.
(h) Shall determine the number and location of outstations when appropriate to meet service demands.
(i) May recommend the removal of the county human services director to each county board of supervisors which participated in the appointment of the county human services board, and each such county board of supervisors may remove the county human services director by a two-thirds vote of each such county, on due notice in writing.
(j) Shall develop county human services board operating procedures.
(k) Shall oversee the operation of one or more service delivery programs.
(L) Shall evaluate services delivery.
(m) May perform such other general functions necessary to administer the program.
(n)
1. Shall submit a final budget in accordance with s. 46.031 (1) for authorized services, except for services under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49, community-based juvenile delinquency-related services, and juvenile correctional services. Notwithstanding the categorization of or limits specified for funds allocated under s. 46.495 or 51.423 (2), with the approval of the department of health services the county human services board may expend those funds consistent with any service provided under s. 46.495 or 51.42.
2. Shall submit a final budget in accordance with s. 49.325 (1) for authorized services under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49 and for authorized community-based juvenile delinquency-related services. Notwithstanding the categorization of or limits specified for funds allocated under s. 48.569, with the approval of the department of children and families the county human services board may expend those funds consistent with any service provided under s. 48.569.
(o) Shall 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 human services board.
(p) Shall comply with state requirements.
(5m) Powers and duties of county human services board in certain counties with a county executive or county administrator. A county human services board appointed under sub. (4) (b) 2. shall:
(a) Appoint committees consisting of residents of the county to advise the county human services board as it deems necessary.
(b) Recommend program priorities and policies, identify unmet service needs and prepare short-term and long-term plans and budgets for meeting such priorities and needs.
(c) Prepare, with the assistance of the county human services director under sub. (6m) (e), a proposed budget for submission to the county executive or county administrator; a final budget for submission to the department of health services in accordance with s. 46.031 (1) for authorized services, except services under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49, community-based juvenile delinquency-related services, and juvenile correctional services; and a final budget for submission to the department of children and families in accordance with s. 49.325 for authorized services under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49 and for authorized community-based juvenile delinquency-related services.
(d) Advise the county human services director under sub. (6m) regarding purchasing and providing services and the selection of purchase of service vendors, and make recommendations to the county executive or county administrator regarding modifications in such purchasing, providing and selection.
(e) Develop county human services board operating procedures.
(f) Comply with state requirements.
(g) Assist in arranging cooperative working agreements with persons providing health, education, vocational or welfare services related to services provided under this section.
(6) Powers and duties of county human services director in certain counties.
(a) A county human services director appointed under sub. (5) (f) shall have all of the administrative and executive powers and duties of managing, operating, maintaining, and improving the services and programs of the county department of human services. Those powers and duties are subject to the rules promulgated by the department of health services for programs, except that, with respect to services or programs under ch. 48 and subch. III of ch. 49 and community-based juvenile delinquency-related services or programs, those powers and duties are subject to the rules promulgated by the department of children and families and, with respect to the purchase of juvenile correctional services or programs, those powers and duties are subject to the rules promulgated by the department of corrections. In consultation with the county human services board under sub. (5) and subject to its approval, the county human services director shall prepare all of the following:
1. An annual comprehensive plan and budget of all funds necessary for the program and services authorized by this section in which priorities and objectives for the year are established as well as any modifications of long-range objectives.
2. Intermediate-range plans and budget.
3. Such other reports as are required by the secretary of health services, by the secretary of corrections, or by the secretary of children and families and 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.
(c) A county human services director under this subsection shall make recommendations to the county human services board under sub. (5) for:
1. Personnel and salaries of employees.
2. Changes in the organization and management of the program.
3. Changes in program services.
(e) A county human services director under this subsection shall comply with state requirements.
(6m) County human services director in certain counties with a county executive or county administrator. In any county with a county executive or county administrator in which the county board of supervisors has established a single-county department of human services, the county executive or county administrator 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 director. The appointment is subject to confirmation by 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. The county human services director, subject only to the supervision of the county executive or county administrator, shall:
(a) Supervise and administer any program for which supervision and administration is authorized under this section.
(b) Determine administrative and program procedures and administrative policies.
(c) Determine, subject to the approval of the county board of supervisors and with the advice of the county human services board under sub. (5m), 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 may elect to require the approval of any such contract by the county board of supervisors.
(e) Assist the county human services board under sub. (5m) (c) in the preparation of the budgets required under sub. (5m) (c).
(f) Make recommendations to the county executive or county administrator regarding modifications to the proposed budget prepared by the county human services board under sub. (5m) (c).
(g) Evaluate service delivery.
(j) Perform other functions necessary to manage, operate, maintain and improve programs.
(k) Comply with state requirements.
(L) Represent human service agencies, professionals and consumers of services in negotiations with the state and federal governments.
(m) Determine the number and location of outstations when appropriate to meet service demands.
History: 1975 c. 39, 224; 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 20, 93, 291; 1981 c. 329 s. 31; 1983 a. 27 ss. 962, 2202 (20); 1985 a. 29 ss. 844m to 860, 3200 (56) (a); 1985 a. 120, 176, 332; 1987 a. 186; 1987 a. 403 s. 256; 1989 a. 56, 359; 1991 a. 274; 1993 a. 16, 27, 83, 445, 491; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2112 to 2127, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); 1995 a. 64, 201, 352, 417; 1997 a. 3, 164, 268, 283; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 264, 388, 406; 2007 a. 20 ss. 878 to 891, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 45, 96; 2009 a. 28, 180; 2011 a. 32; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 150; 2017 a. 207 s. 5; 2019 a. 8, 9.
There is no unconditional guarantee of continued employment under sub. (3) (d); employment is continued during a reorganization unless civil service rules provide otherwise. Dane County v. McCartney, 166 Wis. 2d 956, 480 N.W.2d 830 (Ct. App. 1992).
Boards and directors may view client information without written and informed consent for any purpose related to their powers and duties. 69 Atty. Gen. 273.
Officers, employees, and directors of public or private entities that furnish “human services" to a county may not be appointed to the board under sub. (4) (a); this provision does not extend to family members of “human services" providers. 80 Atty. Gen. 30.
Because there is no explicit statutory authority for county human services departments to accept gifts, the statutory scheme contemplates that gifts, grants, and donations to a county human services department created under this section may be accepted only by the county board of supervisors. OAG 1-08.

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