On today’s show, host Dana Pellebon is joined by Dane County Human Services Director, John Schlueter, to help listeners understand the breadth of the largest department in our county. Schlueter is a long-time Madison resident whose service to the community began with volunteering at Centro Guadelupe and the Dane County Humane Society. After graduating with a degree in social work, he worked in human services and the Social Security Administration before taking his new position with Dane County. He says that he sees his new role as an opportunity to give back to the community and guide the department through challenges posed by the federal government.

This year, departments across Dane County faced structural deficits requiring reductions across the board. The Human Services budget looms at over $300 million and funds housing, mental health services, and so much more. Schlueter praises the work of the Needs Network and Sunshine Place and the spirit of volunteerism that they foster. 

However, the uncertainty created by funding cuts by the federal government is causing real problems for local leaders. It becomes difficult to anticipate or brace for changes, as with the recent back-and-forth over SNAP benefits. Schlueter is bracing for the new federal Medicaid requirements that will roll out in 2027, which he says will make it even more difficult for people to qualify for healthcare. Despite the hardships that so many across the county are facing, the Human Services Department is able to keep serving the diverse needs of its constituents because it is currently not required to strike DEI language from its programs.

John Schlueter is the recently appointed head of the Dane County Department of Human Services. He brings his experience running large organizations, commitment to volunteerism, and service to drive compassionate and responsive service delivery. Dane County Human Services provides a vast array of programs that help our community thrive from children living with disabilities, or those in foster care, to young people finding a way forward on the path to meet their own goals, to employee training, job support, and housing, and those working through behavioral health or substance abuse, to the residents at our county-run nursing home who have some of the most complex care needs for the aging population, and so much more. It takes the entire community to do this work in the best of times.  As we face challenges in the years to come, John invites the entire community to get involved, join him and the expert team, partners, and clients working daily toward a community where each person is thriving.

Featured image of the Dane County Human Services logo. 

The post What Does the County’s Human Services Department Do? appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.