The school recently presented the 2019 School of Social Work Achievement Award to John Elliott, the Deputy Administrator for the Division of Safety and Permanence for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. The award was part of the “March is Social Work Month” celebration.
The Division of Safety and Permanence is responsible for oversight of the child welfare and youth justice systems delivered through Wisconsin counties and Tribes.
Elliott was instrumental in helping the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System move to the School of Social Work and provided support to the school in the development of the Part-Time Program in both Madison and Eau Claire.
In presenting the award, Associate Director Ellen Smith said, “John has collaborated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work to improve child welfare practice through research, professional development, and innovative practices. He is also leading efforts with counties to improve child welfare worker recruitment and retention efforts and leading a project to transform the state’s child welfare information management system.”
“The collaboration between John, his team and the School of Social Work embodies the Wisconsin Idea. Because of his leadership and the relationships he has fostered, we are able to harness the expertise on both ends of State Street and do great things together,” Smith said.