Third Branch eNews

Judges and court commissioners from around Wisconsin met in Egg Harbor from April 9–11 for the annual Child Welfare Law Orientation. The training, organized by the Children's Court Improvement Program (CCIP), focuses on court responsibilities in child in need of protection or services (CHIPS), termination of parental rights (TPR), and guardianship cases.

Supreme Court Rule 32.04 requires circuit court judges to attend this orientation at least once per term.

This year’s faculty included Commissioner Kevin Costello (Waukesha County), Retired Judge Christopher Foley (Milwaukee County), Commissioner Timothy Heckmann (St. Croix County), Judge Wendy Klicko (Sauk County), Judge Jason Rossell (Kenosha County), and Judge Todd Ziegler (Monroe County). They led sessions on core hearings in child welfare cases and presented on topics such as judicial leadership, the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act, confidentiality of juvenile records, and the role of court commissioners in these cases.

Participants praised the presenters for their clarity, insight, and practical experience. Comments included: “This is a fantastic program with so many great presenters,” and, “It’s very helpful to hear about real experiences—and I appreciated how the presenters engaged the audience.” One attendee added, “Even after serving on the faculty for years, I still learned a lot from all of the presentations.”

A panel featuring parents and caregivers with lived experience in the child welfare system drew strong feedback from participants. One attendee wrote, “It was a good reminder of the very real people involved in the cases,” while another noted, “The panel gave insight into experiences I never would know as a judicial officer.”

The next Child Welfare Law Orientation is scheduled for April 15–17, 2026, in northwest Wisconsin. CCIP will share more information as it becomes available.