Lafayette County Human Services

SERVICES AVAILABLE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Lafayette County Human Services is a county operated human services delivery system. The department is set up in five distinct units: Family Services, Behavioral Health Unit, Long Term Support Unit, Economic Support Unit and Support Services unit. Each unit was established to provide specific services to the residents of the county. There are 26 full time staff, and the department contracts for professional services from four other individuals.

Family Services Unit provides the social work services that are generally considered child protective services and juvenile delinquency services. They investigate allegations of child abuse and/or neglect, and then help develop the plans for the families to follow in order to satisfy the conditions of their court order. They also monitor juvenile delinquency cases from the court system. There are 5 fte's assigned to the unit, the unit manager, one investigator, two case workers, and a foster care coordinator.

Behavioral Health Unit serves individuals who have mental health and/or substance abuse issues. The services range from psychiatry, psychological testing, counseling (individual or group), Community Support Program, or case management. The staff consists of a unit manager, one part-time psychiatrist, two out patient mental health counselors, two CSP Professionals, one AODA Counselor, and one case manager.

The Long Term Support Unit serves the elderly and disabled individuals who need additional supports to remain in the community in the least restrictive environment possible. The disabled client may have a range of disabilities, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, severe and persistent mental illness, or a combination of these. There are three case workers who work directly with the clients and their families to help obtain the many services these individuals need to remain independent. The client generally receives their services from other agencies, home health, home maker, day services, sheltered work shops, etc. The department primarily provides the case management and the funding for the services. One other service provided directly is the investigation of abuse or neglect to vulnerable adults, this includes the elderly and the disabled.

Economic Support Unit provides services related to economic issues. The staff assists clients in the application for food stamps, medical assistance (all forms of medical assistance - Medicaid, Badgercare, etc), energy assistance, and Welfare to Work services. It is co-housed with the County Job Center so the staff also assists their clients with job search assistance. This unit also works closely with the Long Term Support unit to assist and verify client eligibility for the programs that are available.

The Support Services Unit is made up of the manager, who is also the primary financial person for the department. She supervises two secretaries, and an accounts receivable specialist, all of whom share the task of the receptionist. These five staff provides all the financial and secretarial support for the entire department.

The department is responsible to provide services to anyone from the county, regardless of their ability to pay for such services. Fees may be assigned to services but only in accordance with the Uniform Fee Code determined by the state Department of Health and Human Services.