Department of Health and Human Services
 

Children's and Youth Services (Wraparound Milwaukee)

One Child, One Plan for Youth up to Age 23

If you believe your child is experiencing a crisis, call our Children's Mobile Crisis line now.

(414) 257-7621

If you want to make an online referral to BHD Children's Services/Wraparound Milwaukee, use the link below.

Children's Referral Form

Wraparound Milwaukee is a unique system of care for children with serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, and for their families. We are a National Best Practice Leader in the Wraparound Philosophy and Approach focusing on strength-based, individualized care.

Key Wraparound Milwaukee Programs

REACH

REACH, a program within Wraparound Milwaukee, provides coordinated community-based supports and services to families of youth with complex emotional, behavioral and mental health needs.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Youth and family voluntarily want the support and services
  • Mental health diagnosis as defined by DSM-V
  • Has been involved in mental health services and one or more service systems such as special education, child welfare or youth justice
  • At risk of out-of-home placement
  • Eligible for Medicaid or the BadgerCare Program
  • Youth must reside in Milwaukee County, along with their Medicaid eligibility
  • Experiencing mental health challenges for at least six months and be expected to persist for a year or longer

O-YEAH Program

Older Youth Emerging into Adult Heroes Program (O-YEAH) is a program for older youth and young adults that is designed to provide support in managing the stress of life, school, work, or family, and increase health and well-being in their transition to adulthood.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Between the ages of 16.5 and 23
  • Voluntarily wants the support and services to live, work, learn, belong, heal and be safe
  • Resident of Milwaukee County
  • Eligible for Medicaid or the BadgerCare Program
  • Mental health diagnosis as defined by DSM-V
  • Experiencing mental health challenges for at least six months and be expected to persist for a year or longer
  • Have been involved in two or more service systems such as mental health, special education, child welfare or juvenile justice

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) for Youth

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) for Youth is a voluntary program designed to provide support and services to youth and young adults along with their families living in Milwaukee County who are coping with a mental health or substance abuse diagnosis. CCS will coordinate resources to help you or a family member learn necessary skills and to assist in reaching personal goals.

Resource & Referral Line: (414) 257-7607

Eligibility Criteria

  • Medicaid eligible
  • Living in Milwaukee County
  • Mental health or substance abuse diagnsosis
  • Functional screen eligibility
  • Youth through 23 years old (adults through 59 years old, call (414) 257-6060)

Children's Mobile Crisis Team (CMC Team)

The Children’s Mobile Crisis Team (CMC, formerly known as the Mobile Urgent Treatment Team: MUTT) is a mental health crisis team licensed by the State of Wisconsin that serves Milwaukee County youth. CMC Team was created to help children and teenagers in crisis. CMC Team responds to a wide range of needs in homes, schools, and throughout the community, wherever children and families need help to reduce a crisis, solve a problem, or assess a need.

CMC Team is available by phone, 24-hours-a-day, and is available to come to where needed between the hours of 7AM to 10PM, Monday through Friday, and 7AM to 10PM, weekends and holidays.

Call 24/7

(414) 257-7621

Coordinated Opportunities for Recovery and Empowerment (CORE)

Coordinated Opportunities for Recovery and Empowerment (CORE), a program of the Behavioral Health Division’s Wraparound Milwaukee, provides hope and support to youth and young adults (ages 12-23) experiencing first-episode psychosis. Through connections to community-based service, the CORE program can help encourage a positive quality of life, now and in the future.

What Is First-Episode Psychosis?

Psychosis is a medical condition that affects the brain. It can start at any age and can be triggered by things such as:

  • Genetics/family history
  • Stressors
    • Physical illness
    • Substance use (marijuana, hallucinogens and stimulant medications)
    • Psychological or physical trauma

Typically, psychosis causes interference with the brain’s ability to distinguish between perceptions and reality. Signs and symptoms of psychosis often begin during the critical stages of brain development. When youth and young adults are experiencing hormonal changes during puberty, they are at an increased risk of developing first-episode psychosis.

 

First-episode psychosis can be unexplained, confusing and scary — not only for the youth or young adult experiencing it, but also for their family, friends and others involved in their lives.

Psychosis is not preventable, but it is manageable with help from community-based support services like those provided through the Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division and Wraparound Milwaukee’s CORE program.

The sooner the youth or young adult is properly screened and diagnosed with first-episode psychosis and receives appropriate treatment tailored to their unique needs, the sooner their return to a healthy, positive life can begin.

 

The right care for

teenagers and young adults

after a first psychotic

episode decreases later

relapses by more than 50%.*

*According to the Child Mind Institute.

 

 

What Does First-Episode Psychosis Look Like?

As youth enter their teenage years and early
adulthood, changes in mood, attitude and even
energy level can be expected as their minds and
bodies develop. The following, however, are early
warning signs that youth or young adults may be
experiencing symptoms of first-episode psychosis:

  • Delusions
  • Disorganized thinking or speech
  • Disruption or decline in self-care
  • Extreme uneasieness with others
  • Fixation on false beliefs
  • Hallucinations
  • Lack of emotions
  • Strong and inappropriate emotions
  • Suspiciousness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Unusual thoughts or preceptions
  • Withdrawal

I've Seen These Symptoms. What Now?

Call the CORE program to schedule a screening for First-Episode Psychosis at

(414) 257-7607

Our CORE program is designed to make life-changing connections between those in need and specially selected, community-based service providers who are uniquely qualified to care for youth and young adults experiencing first-episode psychosis.

See our flyer on First-Episode Psychosis

See the CORE brochure to learn more about this program

How Does CORE Work?

All participation in the CORE program is 100% voluntary for those who are willing to seek treatment and meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Are between the ages of 12 and 23
  • Are a Milwaukee County resident
  • Are eligible for Medicaid
  • Have experienced the onset of first-episode psychosis within the last two years
  • Have a medical diagnosis of psychosis (not otherwise specified), schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or schizophreniform
  • Are experiencing psychosis that is not drug-induced

A screening provided through the CORE program can help determine eligibility. From there, the youth and young adults can be connected with life-changing support, education, and short-term and long-term care strategies — at no cost to participants — to help get their lives back on track.

Advocacy

Youth Advocacy

M.O.V.E. Wisconsin is a youth-led group that is promoting youth and young adults voices in Wisconsin. M.O.V.E stands for Motivating Others through Voices of Experience. We are a chapter of a national organization called Youth M.O.V.E. National.

M.O.V.E. Wisconsin is made up of youth and young adults who have lived experience in various systems, such as mental health, juvenile justice and child welfare. We support youth and young adults to advocate for changes to be made around issues that pertain to them on the local, state and national level.

If you would like to learn more about M.O.V.E. Wisconsin, contact us at (414) 977-4249.

Family Advocacy

Our partnerships with and commitment to empower and strengthen families are essential to the success of our program. For more information on connecting with other parents and caregivers, please contact your Care Coordinator or call Wraparound Milwaukee at (414)257-7693. 

Educational Advocacy

Wraparound Milwaukee initiated educational advocacy service in 2003 to help care coordinators and families advocate for the development of appropriate Individual Education Plans (IEP) and secure more public, better school placements for children with serious emotional and mental health needs. The SEA Group assists care coordinators and families with school issues including placements and obtaining IEPs.

Chris Shafer is the director of the SEA Group. She encourages you to contact her for educational advocacy and support at (414) 257-6799.

Helpful Forms for Youth and Families

Wraparound Directory

Administrative Staff

Care Coordinators

Resource Teams
 

Wraparound Resource Guide

  

 

MILWAUKEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

1220 W. Vliet St.

Suite 301

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205

Access DHHS 

How We Help

Our Vision

Together, creating healthy communities.

Our Mission

Empowering safe, healthy, meaningful lives.

Our Values

Partnership, Respect, Integrity, 

Diversity, Excellence

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