MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers issued Emergency Order No. 18, suspending several administrative rules for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families to help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 while maintaining critical services the agency provides.

The order gives the flexibility needed to provide the safest possible care for children in out-of-home care by allowing local agencies to make decisions about when and if services are needed for an individual child. Numerous agency rules require local agencies to take certain actions during a set window of time. Due to the heightened risk of exposure caused by additional face-to-face interactions, this flexibility allows local agencies to make decisions based on the best interest of the child.

The order also waives an in-person training deadline for new employees in W-2 agencies. Extending the deadline will ensure new W-2 staff can stay on the job, helping Wisconsinites in need of services.