State Policy

WAFCA maintains strong relationships with, and serves as a resource to, state agency leaders, legislators, counties and coalitions throughout Wisconsin. In service to our members, we curate information that impacts the sector so that it's easier for them to stay informed, navigate shifts in policy, and take action. Below you will find current state updates, WAFCA advocacy priorities, and select resources. Consider membership if you are interested in becoming part of a network dedicated to improving policy and lives!

February Status Updates

Governor's Budget Released. On February 18, Governor Tony Evers delivered his 2025-27 biennial budget to the Wisconsin State Legislature. This action kicks off budget session in the state legislature as attention turns to the Joint Finance Committee and their work over the next four months to craft a future spending plan. The Governor's plan proposes historic investments in K-12 and post-secondary education, declaring 2025 the Year of the Kid. A number of key WAFCA priorities—including school mental health grant funding, behavioral health workforce investments, and funding for specialized residential services and PRTFs—are in the Governor's package. Stay tuned for further analysis and information from WAFCA in coming weeks. See below for more on WAFCA Policy Priorities for 2025!

New Benefit for Housing Support Services. Beginning February 1, 2025, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will cover housing support services for BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. The new housing support benefit covers various services to help eligible members find and keep stable housing. Supportive housing agencies must enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid to be reimbursed for services provided to Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus members.

Read the update from Forward Health here, which includes resources for providers.

Enhancing College Students’ Mental Health: New Fact Sheet from the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health. Young adults are experiencing elevated rates of mental health problems. Today’s college students were in, or starting, high school when the pandemic pivoted much of their educational and social lives to online experiences. The majority of today’s college students report struggling with substantial levels of stress. The newly-released fact sheet from the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) provides a number of strategies to bolster college well-being, including school belonging, positive coping skills, mental health screenings, and suicide prevention. OCMH highlights that efforts to foster face-to-face interactions and build social connectedness on campus pay off for student mental health.