MILWAUKEE, Wis., April 16, 2025 — Children’s Wisconsin recognized State Senator Jesse James, State Representative Pat Snyder, former State Senator and current Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, and former State Representative Sue Conley with the 11th annual Children’s Champion Policy Awards. These awards were presented on April 9 by Gil Peri, president and CEO of Children’s Wisconsin, Karen Timberlake, senior vice president and president child well-being, and Jodi Bloch, director of state and local government relations at Children’s Wisconsin.
The Children’s Champion Policy Award honors public policy leaders in Wisconsin who strive to make a positive impact in the lives of Wisconsin children and families. The honorees work to support sustainable funding for safety-net providers and move health and child well-being policy forward.
These lawmakers were recognized for their extensive work on behalf of kids, especially those who are victims of or witnesses to a crime. They authored a bipartisan bill during the previous legislative session to provide direct financial support to child advocacy centers and other victim-serving organizations across the state. Children’s Wisconsin operates 7 of the 15 child advocacy centers in Wisconsin where trained specialists provide care and promote healing for children who have been abused, trafficked, are drug endangered or witnessed a crime. They offer mental health support and conduct necessary forensic interviews and exams critical to law enforcement and the justice process. This legislation was critical to sustaining essential services for child victims and their families.
“Advocacy is vital to achieving Children’s Wisconsin’s vision that Wisconsin kids will be the healthiest in the nation and is a key component of our mission. We rely on strong government partners to work together on solutions to improve the health and well-being of kids. These honorees have demonstrated that partnership through their commitment, dedication and support of kids and families across our state,” said Peri.
Children’s Wisconsin looks forward to continuing to work together with our local, state and federal elected officials to ensure Wisconsin’s kids are the healthiest in the nation.
