The new Department of Children and Families will help government provide better services to its youngest citizens. It brings together over 30 of the services currently administered by other state agencies.
Governor Jim Doyle says it's a new way to help families. It's the first cabinet level agency designed to specifically help children and their parents. Among the areas the agency will focus on are efforts to prevent child abuse, improving foster care and adoption services, and helping families access quality child care.
The new agency is raising some concerns though from State Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend). He's worried it has the potential to expand and spending needs to be watched closely.
The agency begins operations on July 1st.