OUR PROGRAMS

THERAPY

Penfield Children’s Center offers physical, occupational and speech therapy before children enter school. As a contracted provider for early intervention services through the Milwaukee County Birth-to-Three Early Intervention program, Penfield Children’s Center provides these services in children’s homes and at our center. Services are available to children with developmental delays or diagnosed conditions that put them at risk for a delay. Penfield provides partnerships between parents or caregivers and a team of early intervention professionals who provide service coordination, speech, physical and occupational therapy, special education, behavioral health services, family support and education. In addition, outpatient therapy is provided for older children who are attending school. Therapists work with individuals from birth to adulthood who require therapy to recover from injuries and surgery.

• 59 children received acute, short-term or long-term occupational, physical or speech therapy services.
• 77.4% of children who participated in the Milwaukee County Birth-to-Three Early Intervention program made substantial progress in their cognition, speech, fine and gross motor, and self help skills. 75.2% made significant gains in their social emotional development.
• The Milwaukee County Birth-to-Three Early Intervention program at Penfield served 800 children.

OUR PROGRAMS

BEHAVIOR CLINIC

The Behavior Clinic at Penfield Children’s Center works in collaboration with Marquette University to provide mental health treatment services for children 5 and younger who have significant behavior and emotional issues. Counselors work with parents to develop a treatment plan to assist parents in managing their children’s behaviors and provide weekly counseling sessions in the homes of families. It is the only program of its kind in Milwaukee that addresses significant behavioral issues early in the lives of children to set them on a positive track for the future. Using the Early Pathways Program, a nationally recognized, mental health program for young children in poverty with significant behavior and emotional problems including trauma, our staff provided 1,823 hours of mental health therapy during home visits, primarily in Milwaukee’s central-city.

• Through a partnership with Marquette University, the Behavior Clinic served 345 children with significant behavioral and/or emotional issues.
• During 2016, 76% of children reduced their behavioral problems and 70% of children increased their prosocial behaviors following treatment.
• For children given a formal primary psychiatric diagnosis and completed treatment, 78% no longer met the criteria for a diagnosis following treatment.

OUR PROGRAMS

SPECIAL CARE NURSERY

The Special Care Nursery provides therapy, medical care and education for children who have serious health issues and medical conditions. The nursery is staffed by a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse and three certified nursing assistants with the medical expertise and training to care for our most vulnerable children. While receiving critical medical care, children play and learn in a safe, caring environment. The Special Care Nursery also provides respite from the stress parents may experience while caring for a medically-fragile child, as well as time for them to care for their other children, and attend work or school. A professional team of Penfield’s specialists work with families to develop a customized and coordinated plan of medical monitoring, education and therapy designed to advance their children’s development, and to help them become medically stable. The fundamental purpose of the Special Care Nursery is to improve each child’s quality of life, now and in the future.

OUR PROGRAMS

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Penfield Children’s Center provides enrichment programs for the entire family. Educational workshops, parent support groups and school transition support services help engage families in their children’s care. Penfield also celebrates what makes each child unique by hosting cultural events and holiday parties. Funded by the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, bilingual parent mentors help address the unique needs of each family by providing information about Penfield’s programming, and working to ensure all families have access to essentials – such as warm clothing, food and access to community resources.

• Penfield offered 35 family programs and events including celebrations, support groups, parent education workshops and family reading nights. More than 2,200 children and family members were in attendance!
• The 2016 Holiday Party welcomed more than 800 guests. Families crafted holiday necklaces, snowflakes and hats, and enjoyed music and snacks. Kohl’s donated 1,000 gifts for our children and more than 100 volunteers and staff volunteered their time to ensure the event’s success.

OUR PROGRAMS

KOHL’S BUILDING BLOCKS PROGRAM

The Kohl’s Building Blocks program creates access to early education and developmental programs for children and families. Together, Kohl’s Cares and Penfield Children’s Center are providing early intervention services, child development resources and equipment to children and families throughout Milwaukee county.

• 1,441 Children served by Child Development Specialists
• 21,446 Participants served by community outreach
• 15,401 Children received early educational toolboxes
• 97,906 Visitors to PenfieldBuildingBlocks.org

PENFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER

2016 HIGHLIGHTS

• The Behavior Clinic received a grant for $1.9 million from SAMHSA to provide trauma-informed counseling to children 6 years of age and younger.
• The 21st annual Croquet Ball raised $320,000. More than 300 guests enjoyed meeting and mingling with Donald Driver and celebrated Nicholas Wilson who received the Benefactor Award.
• In collaboration with Gene Mueller of Newsradio 620 WTMJ and the Bosch Tavern, the “Tug the Tavern” event raised more than $5,300 to support Penfield.
• 225 Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteers spent 673 hours cleaning and remodeling our center and helping with our children. In support of these efforts, Kohl’s donated $21,500.
• In collaboration with Kohl’s Cares, Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers, Milwaukee Fire, Police and Sanitation Departments, The Davidson Yell and Tell Foundation, Inc., Milwaukee County Transit System, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Safe & Sound, Inc., and LaMacchia Travel, Safety Day welcomed 200 kids and community members!
• Penfield received a $90,000 grant from Aurora Health Care’s Better Together Fund for the Behavior Clinic. This funding will allow us to expand our behavioral health services and outreach to the community.

PENFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER

2016 CROQUET BALL

The 21st annual Croquet Ball raised $320,000. More than 300 guests enjoyed meeting and mingling with Donald Driver and celebrated Nicholas Wilson, the 2016 Benefactor Award recipient. We were excited to introduce two very special children, Evelyn and Chelsea and celebrated their time at Penfield. Thank you to our Event Chairs, Christina and Al Araque, Auction Co-Chairs, Tere Sackerson and Jessica Zeratsky and Sponsorship Chairs, Tony Nguyen and Melanie Booth.