2026 Spring Conference Session Details

Thursday, April 23 

Keynote Speaker
Lena Scullard
Details coming soon

Lunch and WCHSA Awards
Join colleagues for lunch while celebrating excellence in county human services. This session will feature the presentation of WCHSA awards recognizing outstanding contributions, leadership, and service across Wisconsin’s county human services system.

How Trends in County Finances Are Affecting Human Services
Todd Romenesko, Calumet County
Keven Dospoy, WCA Forward Analytics
This session will examine current trends in county finances and their impact on human services delivery across Wisconsin. Todd Romenesko of Calumet County and Keven Dospoy of WCA Forward Analytics will share data-driven insights on revenues, expenditures, and fiscal pressures facing counties, and discuss what these trends mean for planning, sustainability, and decision-making in human services programs.

Current Legal Issues Affecting Counties
Attolles Law
This session will explore current and emerging legal issues impacting Wisconsin counties. Attendees will gain insight into recent case law, regulatory developments, and legal trends affecting county operations and human services, along with practical considerations for managing risk and maintaining compliance in an evolving legal environment.

DHS Program Update
This session will provide an overview of key updates from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Attendees will hear about recent program changes, emerging initiatives, and department priorities that impact county human services. The session will offer timely information to support informed decision-making and effective service delivery at the local level.

DCF Program Update
Stay informed on the latest developments from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. This session will provide an overview of recent program updates, policy changes, and initiatives impacting county human services. Attendees will gain insight into current priorities and have the opportunity to better understand how these updates affect service delivery at the local level.

Friday, April 24 

Keynote Speaker
Sarah Ciavarri
Details coming soon

Legislative Update: What happened in 2026 and What to Expect for 2027

Chelsea Shanks, WCA
This session will highlight legislation impacting county human services, emerging policy trends, and priorities to watch in the coming year, helping attendees stay informed and prepared for the evolving legislative landscape.

Concurrent Sessions

Innovation in Practice with No Money
Improving services to the community while managing tight human service budgets. Strategies for making informed, ethical and sustainable decisions to balance compassion with fiscal discipline.

Bridging the Divide: Breaking Down Barriers Between Different Human Service Programs and Partners
Attendees will learn how entities with different disciplines can work together within their respective domains.

Leadership Development

Practical tools human service managers can use in their daily work to lead agencies.

Working Through Change
Preparing agencies and stakeholders for change. Best practices for conflict resolution and building relationships.

Medicaid Community Engagement

Implementation of the new federal Medicaid community engagement requirement. How to prepare Medicaid members and develop options for members to meet the engagement requirement.

What is a PRTF?
Learn about the Minnesota experience with psychiatric residential treatment facilities. How PRTFs fit into the continuum of care for children with complex behaviors.

CCS Dos and Don’ts

Successes and best practices for Comprehensive Community Services. Lessons learned from CCS failures.

Process of Change for Domestic Abusers
Strategies for working with domestic abusers to prevent further abuse.

Standard Residential Care Purchase Agreement

Learn about the new standard purchase agreement for residential care developed by WCHSA and WAFCA.

Youth Transition to Adult Services
How CLTS agencies, ADRCs and Family Care MCOs can work together to provide a smooth transition of children from CLTS to adult services.

Genessee Lake School
Learn about the services for children offered by Genessee Lake School.