The Walworth County Health & Human Services Board meeting on June 18, 2025, focused on the operations and challenges of the Economic Support team, which provides essential benefits such as health care, food assistance, and child care support to residents. The team consists of 27 full-time employees and one part-time worker, including specialized roles such as child care coordinators and bilingual staff.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that the Economic Support team has faced increasing turnover, with five staff members leaving in 2025 alone. Factors contributing to this turnover include retirements and internal transfers, making recruitment and training a complex process. The training for new economic support workers spans approximately 30 weeks, beginning with eight weeks of state training followed by hands-on training with experienced staff. This extensive training is necessary due to the complicated nature of state and federal policies governing the programs.

The meeting also addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service calls, noting a decrease of 2,000 calls as more residents utilized online applications and a new mobile app for benefits. Current statistics revealed that around 8,349 individuals in Walworth County receive both healthcare and food assistance, while 9,193 receive healthcare only.

Additionally, the board discussed the work requirements for FoodShare recipients, emphasizing that able-bodied adults without dependents must work or participate in a work program to maintain eligibility. The EQIS agency assists these individuals with job readiness and support services.

Overall, the meeting underscored the critical role of the Economic Support team in addressing community needs while navigating staffing challenges and evolving service demands. The board plans to continue monitoring these issues to ensure effective support for Walworth County residents.