Wisconsin Commission on Children, Families and the Courts
This multi-disciplinary commission was created in March 2007 as part of the Children's Court Improvement Program, a federal grant initiative focused on improving the processing of child abuse and neglect cases in the court system.
The group is charged with developing and institutionalizing meaningful collaboration across systems to identify and address barriers to safety, permanency and child and family well-being at the state and local levels. Members are appointed by the Chief Justice.
Committee membership
| Name | Affiliation/Location |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice Jill J. Karofsky (chair) | Wisconsin Supreme Court |
| Hon. Wendy Klicko (vice chair) | Sauk County Circuit Court |
| Oriana Carey, Chief Executive Officer | Coalition for Children, Youth and Families |
| Bridget Chybowski, Administrator | Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services |
| Comm. Kevin Costello | Waukesha County Circuit Court |
| Mr. John Elliott, Administrator for the Division of Safety and Permanence | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families |
| Attorney Alaina Fahley | Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office |
| Ms. Julie Incitti, Education Consultant | Department of Public Instruction |
| LaMikka James, Lived Experience Coordinator | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families |
| Attorney Molly Jasmer | Grady, Hayes & Neary |
| Attorney Jeffrey Jazgar | Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin |
| Attorney Duke Lehto | Lehto Law Office |
| Ms. Stephanie Lozano, Tribal Liaison | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families |
| Bridget Mauerman, Director | Children's Court Improvement Program |
| Shelby McCulley, Deputy Administrator for the Division of Safety and Permanence | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families |
| Ms. Rebecca Murray, Executive Director | Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Board |
| Hon. Scott Needham | St. Croix County Circuit Court |
| Mike Nelson, Supervisor | Marathon County Department of Social Services |
| Hon. Troy Nielsen | Waupaca County Circuit Court |
| Secretary Jeff Pertl | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families |
| Brent Ruehlow, Director | Jefferson County Human Services |
| Thomas Schappa, District Court Administrator | Eighth Judicial District |
| Hon. Audrey Skwierawski, Director of State Courts | Wisconsin Court System |
| Attorney Michelle Swardenski | Outagamie County District Attorney's Office |
| Attorney Tiffany Wunderlin | Portage County Corporation Counsel's Office |