Family and Community Health (FCH)
Supporting healthy starts and strong families so Milwaukee community members live their best life.
Program Highlights
Now Available: 2026–2030 Maternal and Child Health Strategic Plan
The MCH Strategic Plan provides a shared roadmap for improving maternal and child health in Milwaukee. Centered around the community’s lived experiences, the plan focuses on strengthening partnerships, improving coordination across health systems, and reducing barriers to care. By aligning efforts with community partners, MHD aims to improve maternal health, reduce infant deaths, and support healthier pregnancies.
Improving Family and Community Health in Milwaukee
The City of Milwaukee Health Department's Family and Community Health (FCH) programs provide home visiting, assistance with public benefit applications, nutrition, health education, and community outreach services. Providing these programs supports healthy starts and strong families so Milwaukee community members live their best life.
Explore the programs below to find resources and services that support healthy babies and families at every stage of life.
Explore Our Programs
Home Visiting Programs
The City of Milwaukee Health Department offers two home visiting programs designed to support healthy pregnancies, births, and infant development while meeting the unique needs of Milwaukee families.
Safe Sleep Program
The Safe Sleep Program offers educational classes for birthing people who are at least 34 weeks pregnant and for families with infants under 6 months old.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The WIC Program is a supplemental nutrition program for eligible women, infants, and children; promoting the health and well-being of families.
Community Healthcare Access Program (CHAP)
The CHAP program helps City of Milwaukee residents explore free or low‑cost options for health insurance, FoodShare, and childcare. The program also connects individuals and families to other community resources based on their needs.
Strong Baby Title V Program
The Strong Baby Title V Program works to support healthy child development and prevent infant mortality through developmental screening, education, and outreach. Through training and community education, the program helps providers, childcare centers, schools, and community-based organizations better promote maternal and child health.
Newborn Screenings
Newborn screening for congenital disorders helps identify serious health conditions that may not be visible at birth, even in babies who appear healthy. In Wisconsin, newborns receive screening for 50 blood disorders as well as hearing loss, so families can access early treatment and support when needed.
Plans and Reports
2026-2030 Maternal and Child Health Strategic Plan
Community Events
Mom 2 Mom: Peer Support Group
Visit us on the first Tuesday of each month for Mom 2 Mom: a space for mothers to share experiences and receive support in a safe and confidential environment. The group is open to health department clients and Milwaukee residents.
Washington Park Library
2121 N. Sherman Blvd.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
For questions or more information, contact Katie Lopez
[email protected]
or call
(414) 758-0661
Focus on Fathers: A Dad-Driven Support Group
Visit us on the first Thursday of each month for Focus on Fathers: a space for dads to share experiences and receive support in a safe and confidential environment. The group is open to health department clients and Milwaukee residents.
Mighty Small Moments
1915 N. MLK Dr.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
For questions or concerns, contact Mario Drain
[email protected]
or call
(414) 336-0100
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of screenings and assessments are done for families and babies, and how often are they completed?
During home visitor, home visitors carry out regular health and wellness checks to assess and support the parent, baby, and family’s need, and help families track milestones for their children.
MHD conducts newborn screenings for over 50 blood disorders as well as hearing loss to ensure healthy child development. During these screenings, droplets of blood from the baby’s heel are applied to a special collection paper (blood card) before leaving the hospital. The blood card is sent to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene in Madison and screened for 50 different genetic disorders.
How do I know if I qualify for free or low-cost health insurance?
If you are ready to enroll in a health insurance plan, please have recent financial information available, including tax returns, pay stubs, or other income statements. Be aware of how many dependents you have under the age of 26, as adult children may be eligible for coverage.
Finally, if health insurance is offered as a benefit through your employer, you must document that the cost of that insurance is more than 9.5% of your income. If your work insurance is higher than 9.5% of your income, you may be eligible to purchase insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. A Certified Application Counselor can help you enter your information online to see what insurance options are available and check if you qualify for any financial help.
Can I get help paying for my health insurance?
Many people qualify for financial help to lower the cost of health insurance through government assistance. A Certified Application Counselor or enrollment assistant can help you find out if you qualify. For assistance, call 2-1-1 or visit www.healthcare.gov.
How much do MHD programs cost?
The City of Milwaukee Health Department's home visiting programs (Empowering Families of Milwaukee and Direct Assistance for DADs) are free!
Do you provide transportation for families?
No, we are not able to provide transportation for families. However, we can help find transportation resources and provide guideance on using public transportation.
Stay in Touch
Rosamaria Martinez, DrPH, MBA, RD
Interim Deputy Commissioner of
Family and Community Health
