The Office provides department-wide budgeting and quality improvement services.  It is also responsible for the oversight of county human service agencies and management of tribal affairs.

• Budget Development.  Prepares the Department’s biennial budget proposal.  Develops budget proposals, in conjunction with program staff, for consideration by the Office of the Secretary.  Budget papers include analysis of fiscal, policy, and programmatic effects of the proposal.  Prepares the Department biennial budget request which includes requested funding, statutory language changes, and description of budget items proposed by the Department.  Responds to questions and requests for additional information and analysis from the state budget office and Legislative Fiscal Bureau.  Prepares recommendations of gubernatorial vetoes.  Participates in developing Department policy and program initiatives.  Monitors and assists in resolving operating budget problems with the Divisions.  Prepares fiscal notes on proposed legislation.
  

• eHealth Initiative.  Promotes investment in health care settings of health information technology to improve the quality, safety and value of health care.  Promotes the development of secure, trusted, technically compatible statewide health information or exchange across organizations and regions.  Encourages the development, alignment and implementation of value-based purchasing policies and actions across the public and private sectors.  Links health information technology and health information exchange plans to prevention and disease management activities.  Supports the Governor's eHealth Care Quality and Patient Safety Board.
  

• Policy and Research.  Analyzes, develops and implements policy issues and initiatives for the Department.  Identifies potential policy initiatives, analyzes possible policy options, and recommends policy direction.  Identifies and recommends policy implementation strategies, monitors federal developments, processes and assists in the development of federal and foundation grants, and researches initiatives in other states.  Coordinates strategic initiatives that cut across Divisions and Departments.  Conducts program evaluation studies, coordinates development of performance measures to assess program outcomes in key program areas, conducts policy research and analysis, and provides consultation and technical assistance to Department staff on evaluation approaches and techniques.
  

• Tribal Affairs.  Assists in maintaining an effective government to government relationship with the Wisconsin tribes.  Develops program strategies to enhance state/tribal relationships.  Assists in resolving program issues identified by tribes.  Serves as an expert on tribal affairs in Wisconsin and provides information to other states, federal agencies, and the general public.  Administers the Department tribal consultation policy, including the annual meeting.  Administers the state/tribal contract.  Negotiates the contractual relationship, allocation of funds and external procedures with the tribes.  Initiates and facilitates the development, implementation and coordination of human service programs and the implementation of performance measurement systems as they pertain to the tribes.  Provides training to Department staff and others on tribal culture, structure and issues.

Cheryl McIlquham, Director
PO Box 7850
Madison, WI 53707-7850
(608) 266-3816

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Last Revised:  July 14, 2008