History of DEC

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WIDEC began in November of 2004, when a focus group of community members and interested professionals from around Wisconsin met and learned about the National DEC Program. The program was positively received and the participants held further discussion regarding ideas for implementing DEC in Wisconsin. These individuals became what is known today as the WIDEC Steering Committee. In 2005, this group, with a team of consultants, outlined the DEC program in Wisconsin, and drafted goals and language for a Memorandum of Understanding and Strategic Plan.

In the same year, National DEC assisted us in hosting the initial, basic DEC training to over 700 participants from around Wisconsin. In subsequent years, WIDEC would go on to host annual conferences to provide the state’s professionals and community members with DEC updates and technical support for DEC teams at all levels.

As community members in counties across the state were being recognized as programs, the committee worked further with consultants to develop a definition for ‘drug endangered child,’ created a clear vision and set short- and long-term goals for WIDEC. The strategic plan was further revised for program sustainability. An executive board was eventually created from members of the steering committee to focus on funding issues.