FAM Services Program

The Milwaukee County House of Correction (HOC) proposes to develop and deliver a family centric program (FAM) to provide a safe and supportive environment for incarcerated parents to strengthen relationships with their children. The FAM Services Program will design and open HOC child-friendly spaces for children who are visiting their incarcerated parents. Parallel to these facility changes, safety protocols and procedures will be integrated with a coordinated system of programs and services to support the needs of 50 incarcerated parents and their minor children. The services are designed to prevent violent crime, reduce recidivism and provide support for the minor children. The evidence-based services include effective parenting skills development, parent/child relationship engagement, healthy relationship education, family mediation, literacy education, college preparation and holistic family case management. FAM services also incorporate reentry and transitional services that focus on parental responsibility including housing, nutrition, clothing, health insurance and legal. FAM builds on strong existing partnerships with the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families-Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services (DMCPS), Milwaukee County Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), The Center for Self-Sufficiency (CFSS), University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Talent Search Program (Talent Search) and University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension The Literacy Link (Literacy Link).

Priority Considerations include:  (1) documentation of ensuring child protections; (2) the individuals who are intended to benefit from the requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties; and (3) the Project FAM services offer enhancements to public safety in economically distressed communities (Qualified Opportunity Zones).