Rights of the Poor

Challenge to W-2 Race & Disability Discrimination

Description:

The W-2 welfare program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, has policies and practices which have led to race and disability discrimination against W-2 participants. These include the failure to properly assess and accommodate disabilities, and the racially disparate imposition of adverse actions such as monetary sanctions for alleged violations of program requirements.

Forum:

Administrative complaint to US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Office of Civil Rights

Attorneys:

Rebecca Salawdeh for NAACP of Milwaukee; Anne DeLeo, Milwaukee; Pat DeLessio, Legal Action of Wisconsin; Jodi Hanna of Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy; Poverty, Race & Civ. Lib. Attorney.

Articles:

February 19, 2002 >> ACLU and NAACP Request Federal Investigation of W-2 Program FULL STORY

Foster Care Overpayment Cases

Description:

The State collected alleged overpayments of foster care benefits without adequate notice or an opportunity to be heard, in violation of the due process clause of the constitution. The collection efforts were also beyond the statutory authority of the State agency.

Forum:

Representation in individual hearings before the Wisconsin Div. of Hearings and Appeals; comments on proposed rules submitted to Wisconsin Dept. of Health & Family Services.

Attorneys:

Poverty, Race & Civ. Lib. Attorney.