Series 7.1 Scope and Content

This series contains copies of state public records documenting the achievements of the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) during Governor Thompson's years in office. The original public records reside with state government as required by Wisconsin law. This series has been divided into fourteen sub-series, according to topic headings created by DHFS personnel.

Series 7.1.1, Badger Care, 1997-2000, (2.0 cubic ft), contains 148 file folders documenting the governor's program to provide health care coverage for uninsured families in Wisconsin. The files are arranged numerically according to a numbering system devised by DHFS staff. This numbering system corresponds roughly to a chronological progression; in other words, the contents of higher numbered file will correspond to a later date in time. The folders contain a wide variety of documents, including correspondence, memoranda, reports, and press releases.

Series 7.1.2, Budget Requests, 1985-2003, (1.0 cubic ft), documents DHFS requests for funding during the seven biennial budget cycles that Thompson oversaw, as well as the cycles that immediately preceded and followed his tenure in office. The files are arranged chronologically by budget cycle.

Series 7.1.3, Family Care, 1995-2001, (4.0 cubic ft), describes the design and implementation of Governor Thompson's program to provide Wisconsin's citizens with improved long-term care. Departmental staff grouped the records under two headings: (1) Long-Term Care Redesign, which documents the planning and creation of Family Care; and (2) Family Care Historical Archive, which describes the program's funding, implementation, and evaluation.

Series 7.1.4, Health Care Statistics, 1987-2001, (3.0 cubic ft), consists of sixty reports, published by the department, providing health-related statistical data on Wisconsin's population during the Thompson years. The reports are arranged alphabetically by title.

Series 7.1.5, Healthcare Partnership Program, 1992-2000, (2.0 cubic ft), consists of subject files, arranged alphabetically, that describe the administration's efforts to integrate health and long-term care into a single program. The files include a variety of documents, including correspondence, contracts, reports, and grant applications.

Series 7.1.6, Information Technology & E-Government Initiatives, 1989-2000, (5.0 cubic ft), contains information about three programs: (1) Kids Information Data System (KIDS); (2) Community Action to Reach the Elderly (CARES); and (3) Wisconsin Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (WiWACWIS). Some of the files appear to originate from the office of Richard Lorang, Deputy Secretary of DHFS, who served as Acting Secretary of the Department in 1995.  Other documents in the sub-series bear the office stamp of Fred Wahler, Director of DHFS Information Services.

Series 7.1.7, Milwaukee Child Welfare, 1993-2001, (7.0 cubic ft), contains files from the Division of Children and Family Services documenting the state's role in managing Milwaukee's child welfare system. Many files pertain to the 1993 ACLU lawsuit that prompted legislation for the state's involvement in managing the Milwaukee system. Most of these files contain document requests made during the ongoing litigation. The series also contains correspondence as well as contracts made between the state and private organizations for the provision of services.

Series 7.1.8, Organ Donation, 1995-1999, undated, (0.2 cubic ft), contains a small number of files describing the governor's organ donation program. The files are arranged alphabetically.

Series 7.1.9, Pathways to Independence, 1998-2001, (1.0 cubic ft), contains eighty-one documents describing the governor's program to eliminate or reduce barriers to employment for persons with severe disabilities. Departmental staff created a numbering system for the documents, and the inventory is arranged in ascending numerical order. Ranges of numbers correspond to subject areas: General (1-14), Operations (15-38), Health and Safety Net (39-61), Research (62-68), Advisory Council (69-70), and Publications (72-81). Document #71 is missing from the series.

Series 7.1.10, Public Awareness, 1985-2001, (2.0 cubic ft), documents departmental efforts to keep the public informed about its many programs and initiatives. The series contains news releases, newspaper clippings files, and DHFS print publications. The news releases are arranged chronologically. The newspaper clippings and publications are arranged alphabetically by subject area.

Series 7.1.11, Restructuring Overview, 1989-1998, (0.3 cubic ft), documents the efforts to reorganize DHFS during Thompson's tenure in office. The files are arranged alphabetically by folder title. At the end of the sub-series appears a group of reorganization-related materials, labeled Attachments A-F by departmental staff.

Series 7.1.12, Sexual Predator, 1993-2001, (0.6 cubic ft), contains records about the Chapter 980 Program for the care and treatment of sexually violent persons. Records are divided into two categories: 1) Law/Program files that document the program's creation and implementation, and 2) Facility files that describe the planning and construction of Brewer Creek Secure Treatment Center near Mauston, Wisconsin. Files are further arranged alphabetically under these categories.

Series 7.1.13, Welfare Reform, 1989-1995, (1.0 cubic ft), consists of subject files about the governor's welfare reform efforts, from Learnfare to Wisconsin Works (W2). The files originated from the office of the DHFS Secretary, and are arranged alphabetically.

Series 7.1.14, Women's Health Initiative, 1994-2001, (0.6 cubic ft), documents programs and events during Thompson's governorship that promoted the health of Wisconsin women. The records derive from two sources: DHFS Secretary Leann's office and the Women's Health office within the Division of Public Health. Two files appear to have originated from the secretary's office, the remainder from the Women's Health office. First Lady Sue Ann Thompson's involvement is documented throughout the series. The First Lady's speeches on women's health can be found in Series 2.2.2. Public Service Announcements (PSAs) can be found in Series 5.