MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) Field Supervisor
Elaine Stipetich has been named one of 30 “Changemakers,” an honor
bestowed by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV). The
award recognizes those who have made extraordinary efforts to end domestic
violence in Wisconsin.
“Elaine Stipetich has devoted much of her career in Corrections to
treating and preventing domestic abuse, and her dedication is an example
of the ways in which our staff at the Department of Corrections are
working to keep Wisconsin safe,” DOC Secretary Rick Raemisch said. “Fewer
instances of domestic violence mean fewer new crimes, fewer new victims
and enhanced public safety.”
The WCADV formally gave out the “Changemaker” awards on Thursday,
November 13, at a ceremony in Madison held in conjunction with the
Coalition’s 30th Anniversary “Reinvent the
Revolution” conference. Other honorees include Governor Jim Doyle, along
with representatives from law enforcement, the criminal justice system,
victim advocacy groups and other organizations.
Stipetich is a Division of Community Corrections Field Supervisor based
in the city of Beloit, where she oversees Probation and Parole Agents who
work directly with offenders in Rock County. She began her career in
Corrections as an Agent in 1983, and supervised batterers as part of her
caseload for about 15 years before promoting to a Field Supervisor.
During her time as an Agent, she started facilitating batterer’s
treatment groups and, in 1987, she was appointed to the Justice committee
for the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse. Today she remains an active
member of the Council. She has moderated trainings for Judicial Education,
the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law
School. She also helped to develop a manual for Agents to use in
supervising batterers. Most recently she has been a member of the Firearms
committee for the Governors council. She is presently a member of
statewide domestic violence committees.
Stipetich has a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from the
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She also has completed advanced
training in family therapy at the Family Institute in Chicago and the
Menninger Foundation. She was employed as a Psychiatric Social Worker in
the Chicago area for about five years before relocating to Wisconsin. She
continues to work as a part-time therapist at a mental health clinic.
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