Leading the Way: Penfield Brings Coordinated Mental Health Services to Wisconsin’s Youngest Children 

For many families, accessing mental health support for young children can be challenging—especially when those children are under the age of six. At Penfield, we believe no child is too young to receive the care they need. 

That’s why we are proud to share a major milestone: Penfield is now a Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) provider in Milwaukee County—becoming the first in Wisconsin to offer coordinated mental health counseling specifically for children under age six. 

Through this Medicaid-funded, voluntary program—subsidized by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)—Penfield will provide early childhood psychotherapy for children from birth through age six and their caregivers. Penfield is the first provider in Milwaukee County to offer CCS-funded psychotherapy specifically designed for children under age five. 

Expanding Access to Critical Early Mental Health Care 

Through this new CCS contract, Penfield is expanding access to mental health services for young children and their families across Milwaukee County. 

CCS is a Medicaid-funded, voluntary program supported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. It provides a coordinated system of care for individuals with mental health needs—bringing together services that are personalized, flexible, and centered around the family. 

With this expansion, Penfield will provide early childhood psychotherapy for children from birth through age six and their caregivers, ensuring families can access support during the most critical years of development. 

Why Early Mental Health Support Matters 

The need for early childhood mental health services is significant—and growing. 

• An estimated 10–16% of young children experience mental health conditions  

• That number rises to 22% for children living in poverty  

• In Wisconsin, 40% of children have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)  

For many of the children served at Penfield, the challenges are even greater—experiencing an average of more than five traumatic events before age six. 

Without early support, these experiences can impact emotional development, behavior, learning, and long-term health. 

But with the right intervention, outcomes can change—dramatically. 

A Proven Approach: Early Pathways 

At the heart of Penfield’s mental health services is the Early Pathways model—an evidence-based approach recognized in four national clearinghouses. 

This model focuses on strengthening the relationship between children and their caregivers, helping families build the tools they need to support emotional development and healing. 

Through Early Pathways, clinicians work alongside families to: 

• Help children process trauma  

• Build emotional regulation skills  

• Reduce challenging behaviors  

• Strengthen caregiver-child relationships  

This isn’t just therapy—it’s partnership. 

Meeting Families Where They Are 

One of the most impactful aspects of Penfield’s approach is how care is delivered. 

Services are provided in the home, removing common barriers that often prevent families from accessing care, including: 

• Transportation challenges  

• Childcare needs for siblings  

• Scheduling limitations  

By working directly within a child’s natural environment, clinicians can model strategies in real time—making support more practical, accessible, and effective. 

A Milestone for Milwaukee—and Wisconsin 

Penfield’s designation as a CCS provider marks an important step forward—not just for our organization, but for the entire state. 

As the first provider in Wisconsin to offer CCS-funded mental health services tailored specifically for children under six, Penfield is helping lead a shift toward earlier, more effective care. 

“This contract represents a critical step forward in ensuring our youngest children and their families can access the mental health support they need, when they need it most,” said Polina Makievsky, President & CEO of Penfield Children’s Center. 

Building Strong Foundations from the Start 

At Penfield, our mission is clear: to ensure children have positive early experiences from pregnancy through age five—when the foundation for lifelong development is built. 

This expansion of services is a powerful reflection of that commitment. 

Because when we support children early, we don’t just change outcomes—we change lives.