Senate Bill 977 aims to establish a grant program for funding economic support specialist positions within aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) across Wisconsin. The bill mandates the Department of Health Services (DHS) to award grants to ten counties, with a total appropriation of $1,000,000. The distribution of these grants will prioritize two rural, two suburban, and two urban counties, while allowing for the possibility of an additional grant to an 11th county if funds remain after the initial awards. Grant recipients are required to submit a report within one year detailing the effectiveness of the funding and the number of individuals served by the newly hired specialists.

The bill also includes a repeal of the existing statute regarding economic support specialist grants, effectively replacing it with the new provisions outlined in the bill. This change is intended to streamline the grant process and ensure that the funding is allocated effectively to support the needs of various communities. The new provisions will take effect immediately upon publication, while the repeal of the previous statute will occur on July 1, 2027.