July 2021: Wisconsin’s Independent Living Program

July 21st from Noon to 1pm CST

Conference Presenters:

Kelsey Hill has been the state Independent Living Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families since 2017. In her role, Kelsey works closely with county, tribal, and regional independent living staff and agencies to oversee and execute the state’s IL program, increase information-sharing and collaboration with other partners at all levels, improve outcomes for youth aging out of care, and prioritize youth and lived experience voice as part of these efforts. As one part of a “tiny by mighty” team within DCF, Kelsey also fills many other roles dedicated to supporting adolescents with child welfare experience. Kelsey has her Master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs, where she concentrated on social and education policy, and worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ Division of Juvenile Corrections prior to joining DCF. Though a UW graduate school alum and a proud Madison resident, Kelsey earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and is a diehard Wolverines fan (sorry, Badgers!).

Sarah Klapper, Deputy Program Operations Manager with the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, assists in the oversight and grant management of workforce development and other opportunity youth programming including the Independent Living Program. Sarah is a graduate from UW – La Crosse with a Master’s in Therapeutic Recreation and UW – Stevens Point with a Bachelor’s in Health Science. Sarah is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and has experience with inpatient mental health programming. Sarah currently resides in Green Bay and lives only a few miles from the stadium (Go PACK Go!).

Megan Weycker is the Team Lead and WIOA Youth Career Services Specialist with Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin. Megan has her Masters in Counseling and has several years of experience working with foster and other at risk youth in developing their skills to become selfsufficient.

Taylor Connell is the Senior Advocate Supervisor at CASA of Brown County. She is a graduate St. Norbert College and has been with CASA of Brown County for 7 years. Taylor works closely with CASA’s and youth enrolled in their Fostering Futures program which aims to help youth transition to adulthood.