Milwaukee County’s goal is to enrich your life by providing essential services that meet your needs and those of your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.
We enhance the quality of life in Milwaukee County through great public service.
Milwaukee County is home to over 950,000 people living in one of 19 communities, which range in size from the City of Milwaukee, with 595,000 residents, to the Village of River Hills, with roughly 1,600 residents.
Still a manufacturing stronghold, the region features 16 Fortune 1000 companies and thousands of others in the financial services, medical device, hospitality and retailing industries.
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Help for Parents With Substance Use Disorders
For parents in Milwaukee County who struggle with substance use disorders, the treatment and recovery services they need to help their families stay together may be available for free through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
TANF is a federal government program created to help families in need get back on their feet and reclaim their independence.
Residents may apply for the TANF program by visiting an Access Point, community-based organizations that provide services to those with a substance use disorder, listed below. If they meet eligibility criteria, their family will receive support to cover basic needs as they work toward becoming more independent.
There is no limit on the number of times you and your loved ones can use the TANF benefit. If you and your loved ones have received TANF benefits before, you may still be eligible for these services again.
To be eligible, you must be a Milwaukee County resident and meet at least one of these requirements:
If you or your loved ones qualify for the TANF program, you will be assigned a Recovery Support Coordinator (RSC) who will be by your side to assist with service planning and coordination to help you meet your goals.
We know that parents and pregnant women want the best for their children. But for some women who are pregnant, their struggles with alcohol and other drugs could be putting their families at risk of being pulled apart. Free treatment, care coordination and recovery support services to help families stay together are available through the TANF program.
To help you get started, BHS’ Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS) will provide you with comprehensive treatment, care coordination and recovery support services, including assistance with or referrals to any of the following:
For TANF-eligible parents who struggle with substance use disorders, it can be difficult to support themselves and their families without first addressing their addiction. Because of this, TANF recipients are also eligible to receive free treatment, recovery services and care coordination through the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services’ CARS program.
If needed, your Recovery Support Coordinator will make recommendations for treatment or recovery services that best meet your needs. They can walk with you through the process and connect you and your loved ones to services and resources that can help with prevention, treatment or recovery from substance use disorders.
Through these free programs and with the support of your RSC, you and your loved ones will learn what needs to be done so your family can be self-sufficient, enjoy an improved quality of life, and reduce the chances of relapse or a return to using drugs and alcohol.
This means you and your loved ones may be enrolled free of charge in programs such as:
“I’m grateful to have someone believe in me when I thought everyone was against me.”
— Tiffany, TANF recipient and mother of four
BHS works to connect you with individuals who can help on your journey to recovery.
“Educating Tiffany on all of the aspects of what’s going on in her life, including addressing her drinking and mental health, is what helps Tiffany understand what is happening and lets us arm her with the tools she needs for success and acceptance for what is happening.”
— Sa Aire Salton, MS, CSAS, LPCIT, CFS, a program coordinator and clinician with the Milwaukee Women’s Center
“They realize that sometimes you’re going to mess up. And they don’t turn their backs on you.”
— Brandon, multitime TANF recipient and father of two
There is no limit to the number of times you can receive TANF benefits.
The support you receive is focused on keeping you connected to your family.
“Being part of the TANF program not only gave me the skills I needed to be self-sufficient, it gave me a network. I realized the professionals were there to help me. The big thing for me was always having someone there advocating for me before I had the voice to do it.”
Contact one of our community-based Access Point locations today to find out if you are eligible to receive TANF benefits.
(414) 552-8079 | Please call first
205 W. Highland Ave. Suite 400 Milwaukee, WI, 53203 Open in Google Maps
(414) 263-6000 | Please call first
2821 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave. #210 Milwaukee, WI, 53212 Open in Google Maps
(414) 885-2329 | Please call first
2610 W. North Avenue Milwaukee, WI, 53206 Open in Google Maps
1220 W. Vliet St.
Suite 301
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205
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