Last Updated: Thursday, December 11, 2008 9:23 AM CST
Tribes recognized for responding to needs of drug endangered children
At its annual statewide conference in Appleton earlier this year, the Wisconsin Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (DEC) recognized six counties and three Native American tribes for their efforts in organizing and developing community-wide programs to respond to the needs of drug endangered children. Among the tribes recognized was the Sokaogon Chippewa. In addition, Graebel Companies and the SCOPES Program at the Stanley Correctional Institution were recognized for their efforts in supporting the Wisconsin Alliance.
Children living in residences where illegal drugs are manufactured, possessed, distributed or used are at particular risk of abuse and neglect. In Wisconsin, a total of 21 DEC programs have formed at the community and tribal level.
Erik C. Peterson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin; Corrections Secretary Rick Raemisch; Michael Myszewski of the Division of Criminal Investigation in the Wisconsin Department of Justice; Dennis Schuh of the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance; and Kim Eithum-Harshner of the Department of Health and Family Services presented plaques to representatives from nine local DEC programs.
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Graebel Companies of Wausau and the SCOPES Program (Stanley Correctional Outreach Program Equals Success) at the Stanley Correctional Institution were recognized for their contributions to the Backpack Program sponsored by the Wisconsin Alliance. The Alliance provides backpacks to recognized DEC programs for children removed from a dangerous drug environment. The backpacks contain personal care products, school supplies, a blanket or sleeping bag and a stuffed animal.
A DEC program is a multi-disciplinary team commonly comprised of members from law enforcement, human services, prosecutors, the medical community, the health department and probation and parole. Other participants may include schools, treatment centers, non-profit groups, faith-based organizations and community members. Through the DEC program, organizations within a community or tribe work together to enhance their response to the immediate needs of drug-endangered children and to gather adequate evidence to substantiate prosecution of appropriate endangerment and other charges. Specific regional needs and available resources influence the type of DEC program each county or tribe implements.
For further information about the Wisconsin DEC Alliance, visit www.wisconsindec.org.
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