Wisconsin Domestic Violence Coordination Framework

Guidelines for DV agency participation and statewide coordination in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Coordination Profile

Overview of the Wisconsin Service Environment

Wisconsin’s domestic violence response environment operates through a mix of statewide coalitions, regional service networks, county-level human service departments, tribal governments, municipal agencies, and nonprofit providers. Coordination typically aligns with county and tribal boundaries, judicial districts, and broader public health and human service regions.

This profile outlines regional service networks, multi-agency coordination structures, and common eligibility criteria used across Wisconsin to support consistent, interoperable practice among organizations.

Regional Service Networks in Wisconsin

Regional service networks in Wisconsin generally organize around:

• County human service departments and consortia
• Judicial and law enforcement regions
• Tribal jurisdictions and tribal–county partnerships
• Public health and behavioral health regions
• Continuum of Care (CoC) and housing program service areas

Common Regional Network Types

Organizations operating in Wisconsin can align with several recurring network models.

• County-Centered Networks – County human or social service departments act as hubs, coordinating referrals, contracts, and data exchange with local domestic violence programs, behavioral health, child welfare, and housing providers.
• Multi-County Consortia – Rural and semi-rural counties may form consortia for shared advocacy coverage, coordinated shelter access, transportation, and joint grant applications.
• Urban Service Clusters – Metropolitan areas typically maintain dense networks of specialized providers (legal, medical advocacy, housing, culturally specific services) with formalized referral protocols and regular coordination meetings.
• Tribal and Tribal–County Networks – Tribal governments and tribal service programs coordinate with neighboring counties for cross-jurisdiction case response, access to nontribal services, and shared training activities.
• Housing and CoC-Aligned Networks – Domestic violence agencies engage with Continuum of Care entities to coordinate rapid rehousing, emergency shelter placements, and long-term housing strategies.

Regional Network Functions

Across Wisconsin, regional service networks typically focus on the following operational functions:

• Coordinating cross-referrals between advocacy, shelter, legal, health, and housing providers
• Establishing shared intake and screening practices where appropriate
• Aligning case conferencing protocols while respecting confidentiality and legal limitations
• Standardizing documentation, reporting calendars, and outcome metrics across agencies
• Holding regional meetings for policy updates, training, and gap analysis
• Coordinating emergency accommodations and transportation across county or tribal borders

Multi-Agency Coordination Structures

Multi-agency coordination in Wisconsin typically occurs through layered structures that connect frontline providers, funders, and systems partners.

Local and Regional Coordination Models

• Interagency Coordination Committees – Regular meetings among domestic violence programs, law enforcement, prosecution, probation, courts, and human services to review operational issues, referral pathways, and protocol alignment.
• Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) – Teams that may include advocates, child welfare, behavioral health, medical representatives, and schools, focused on coordinated responses within defined confidentiality and information-sharing parameters.
• Co-Located or Embedded Staff Models – Placement of advocates or specialized staff within partner settings such as courthouses, human service offices, health clinics, or housing agencies to facilitate warm referrals and real-time coordination.
• Joint Training and Policy Workgroups – Standing or time-limited groups that harmonize procedures (for example, lethality assessment workflows, documentation expectations, or referral criteria) across agencies.
• Regional Task Forces – Broader networks that include colleges, workforce agencies, public health, and community organizations, used for strategic planning and problem-solving around service gaps.

State-Level and System-Level Linkages

Wisconsin agencies also interact through state-level or system-level coordination activities, such as:

• State or statewide coalition convenings that share model policies and regional practice guidance
• Cross-system collaboration on housing, health, and behavioral health initiatives
• Participation in state advisory or stakeholder groups on domestic violence, victim services, or crime response
• Alignment with statewide data or reporting platforms sponsored by funders or coalitions

Eligibility Criteria in Wisconsin Coordination

Eligibility criteria in Wisconsin differ by program, funding source, and service type. Multi-agency coordination works best when partners clearly communicate, document, and periodically review the criteria they use.

Core Eligibility Domains

Agencies often organize eligibility criteria in the following domains to simplify cross-agency understanding:

• Population and Relationship Scope
  • Definition of covered relationships (e.g., intimate partners, family or household members, co-parents) aligned with applicable statutes or funding guidance
  • Any age-related criteria for adults, youth, or minors as defined by program parameters
• Geographic Scope
  • Residency or service area requirements (county, multi-county region, tribal territory, or statewide coverage for specialized services)
  • Procedures for cross-county or cross-tribal referrals when an individual is outside the primary service area
• Service Type and Intensity
  • Criteria distinguishing eligibility for shelter, housing programs, legal assistance, advocacy, or specialized services
  • Prioritization criteria for high-demand or capacity-limited services
• Funding and Program Constraints
  • Grant-specific eligibility rules (for example, crime type, timeframe, or documentation requirements)
  • Income or resource-related criteria tied to housing or economic support programs

Coordinating Eligibility Across Agencies

To support consistent responses across Wisconsin, agencies can align their coordination practices around the following options:

• Shared Eligibility Matrices – Regional networks develop a simple matrix that lists each agency, service type, core eligibility criteria, and exceptions or special conditions.
• Standardized Referral Forms – Referral forms include fields tailored to express eligibility factors (geography, relationship context, program type) so receiving agencies can quickly determine fit.
• Eligibility “Quick Guides” for Frontline Staff – Concise guides summarize which services are appropriate for specific scenarios and provide pre-identified backup options when a primary program is not a match.
• Regular Eligibility Review Meetings – Agencies meet periodically to review how criteria are applied, consider the impact of policy changes, and update cross-referral guidance.
• Centralized Information Channels – A designated contact point or shared resource repository is maintained to answer eligibility-related questions and distribute updates.

Partnership and MOU Considerations in Wisconsin

Wisconsin agencies can use structured agreements to formalize how regional networks and multi-agency teams operate.

Common MOU Elements

• Purpose and scope of collaboration within the defined Wisconsin region
• Roles and responsibilities for each agency, including referral and follow-up expectations
• Eligibility and prioritization framework for shared clients
• Protocols for information sharing, including limits, consent processes, and data security practices
• Coordination procedures for after-hours or emergency requests
• Dispute resolution steps and decision-making structures
• Review timelines, renewal dates, and amendment processes

Data and Reporting Alignment

To reduce administrative burden and improve data quality, partners may:

• Agree on core data elements used across agencies for joint reporting
• Establish standards for de-identified or aggregate data sharing for planning and evaluation
• Coordinate reporting calendars to align grant and contract deliverables
• Develop mechanisms for secure data transfer that comply with relevant privacy obligations

Operational Planning for Wisconsin Networks

Regional and statewide planning in Wisconsin benefits from clearly documented processes that can be adopted or adapted by multiple agencies.

• Mapping all domestic violence-related services, eligibility criteria, and referral pathways by county and tribal area
• Designating hub agencies or coordinators for each region and clarifying backup coverage
• Aligning local policies with broader coalition and statewide practice guidance
• Integrating domestic violence coordination into broader housing, health, and human services planning efforts
• Regularly reviewing network performance using shared indicators and qualitative feedback from partner agencies

Additional coordination resources and reference materials are available through the broader ecosystem hosted at DV.Support, which can complement Wisconsin-specific frameworks and agreements.

Recommended Articles

• Partnership Eligibility Standards
• Coalition Frameworks and Governance Models
• Regional Coordination Models for Domestic Violence Response
• Data-Sharing Guidelines for Multi-Agency Partnerships
• Funding Collaboration Models for Service Networks