For Immediate Release
June 19, 2009
Contact: Erika Monroe-Kane, Department of Children and Families, 608-266-9000
DCF Releases New W-2 Request for Proposals
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is emphasizing performance and outcomes in its new Request for Proposals (RFP) to manage the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program. DCF released the RFP earlier today in preparation for the new W-2 contract cycle which begins on January 1, 2010.
"W-2 is about helping parents get good jobs to support their families," DCF Secretary Reggie Bicha said. "We're focusing on the outcomes agencies provide and asking them to enhance their efforts to ensure parents find jobs that lead to stability for their families and opportunities for their children."
Updated performance standards in the RFP place increased attention on results for W-2 participants. A rating scale will be implemented to measure agency benchmarks. Those agencies that meet and exceed performance expectations will receive incentives from DCF.
In Milwaukee, participants will be able to choose from up to five W-2 agencies, giving them access to employment services in communities across the city. By sharing information on agency performance and providing flexibility with factors such as location and environment, DCF will help parents take personal control of their career development.
The new RFP will streamline W-2 eligibility and assessment through one agency. To further enhance services, one agency will also be designated to assist W-2 participants who are applying for Social Security or disability payments.
Along with recent measures included in the budget, the RFP will strengthen the W-2 program's emphasis on getting parents into the workforce and helping them maintain employment.
"As Governor Doyle often says, there is no better social program than a good-paying job," Secretary Bicha said. "The RFP encourages agencies to do more to help W-2 parents keep their jobs over time. We want parents to find jobs today, but we want them to advance in their employment in the weeks, months and years to come."
The Wisconsin Works program was established in 1997 to help Wisconsin parents find and maintain employment. These W-2 contracts will be awarded for two years.
For more information on the W-2 program and the new RFP, please visit the Department of Children and Families website at www.dcf.wisconsin.gov.
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