Empowering Families of Milwaukee

Nearly half of all children in Milwaukee live in poverty, leaving Milwaukee's families at risk for poor prenatal, birth, infant, and child development outcomes.  EFM applies evidenced-based models to improve outcomes for Milwaukee's families. The program collaborates with community partners to facilitate access to health, social, and child development support for families.

What is EFM?
EFM is a home visiting program that provides personal visits to:

• Pregnant women and their families
• Mothers and families with children from birth to 5 years old

What services does EFM offer?

EFM's services to families include:

• Health assessments and information
• Goal setting and care planning
• Development screenings, information, and activities
• Home safety assessments
• Referrals to community resources and invitations to community events

Who is eligible / who participates in the program?

Teenage and adult women of any age who are pregnant or have an infant up to two months old can enroll in EFM if they live in the following Zip Codes:

• 53204
• 53205
• 53206
• 53208
• 53212
• 53233

The City of Milwaukee Health Department has other home visiting programs that serve teenage and adult women who live in other Zip Codes.  Click here for more information.

What are the goals of EFM?
The long-term goals of EFM are to:

• Improve birth outcomes
• Enhance family functioning
• Support child health, safety, and development
• Prevent child abuse and neglect

What organizations are participating in EFM?
The City of Milwaukee Health Department partners with several community-based organizations to provide home visitation and supporting services to expectant and young families, including: 

• Aurora Family Service
• Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin
• Career Youth Development, Inc.
• Children's Family and Community Partnerships
• La Causa, Inc.
• St. Vincent de Paul Society of Milwaukee Family Resource Center
• The Parenting Network

How is EFM funded?
The State of Wisconsin Division of Public Health awarded The City of Milwaukee Health Department the Milwaukee Comprehensive Home Visiting Program Grant to fund EFM from July 2005 through December 2010.

Who can I contact for more information?

Please contact the Empowering Families of Milwaukee's Program Office for more information by calling (414) 286-6625.  Our fax number is (414) 286-6660.

Where can I find more information about home visitation?

• Parents as Teachers: www.parentsasteachers.org
• University of Wisconsin Extension: www.uwex.edu
• 12 Critical Elements: healthyfamiliesamerica.org/downloads/critical_elements_rationale.pdf
• Healthy Birth Outcomes: Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities: www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/healthybirth/