WISCONSIN IN 1958


THE CARE OF THE UNFORTUNATES IN WISCONSIN

                           Introduction

                                   There are 3 functions of govern-


ment which in terms of funds ex-
pended and personnel involved are
the major concerns of the state.
They are highways, education and


       public welfare. Even before Wis-
       consin was admitted to the union,
*      agitation for the erection of cer-
       tain public welfare institutions be-


       -7                        gan and before the state was 10
                                 years old some institutions were
                                 under construction. The century-
long history of the development of the state services for the un-
fortunate is the story of the continued expansion of the services pro-
vided and a constant effort to develop an effective operation of the
far-flung services.
  We have gathered most of the state functions relating to the un-
fortunates within a single department today. They include the cus-
tody and rehabilitation of the criminal offender, the custody and
treatment of the mentally ill, the custody of the mentally retarded,
the care and rehabilitation of the physically disabled, the care of the
dependent neglected child, the custody and rehabilitation of the
delinquent and the care of the aged. Those functions which are not
within the Department of Public Welfare are provided by the State
Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Wisconsin General Hospi-
tal and the State Board of Vocational and Adult Education on the
state level, and by a variety of agencies on the county and local level.
Depending on how broad we make our definition of the unfortunate,
we may also include in the services rendered the state employment
service, workmen's compensation and unemployment compensation.
One has but to look at the broad variety of areas of concern for the
unfortunates which are being developed by private agencies to sense
that the future demands for state participation in more programs will
continue. Much of this proposal is a cooperative effort on the part
of the federal, state and local governments with the federal govern-
ment making substantial financial contributions under the social
security program.
   From a humanitarian point of view much progress has been made
in alleviating suffering, in eliminating the causes of hardship and in
rehabilitating the victims. One has but to recall the word pictures
of Charles Dickens to sense this progress. From the point of view
of government responsibility the future holds grave problems be-
cause it appears probable that the variety and scope of services will


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