Milwaukee County mental health services; $600K for communities of color

With higher demand and fewer people who want to do the job, Milwaukee's mental health service providers say keeping up is a challenge. Milwaukee County's allocation of $600,000 will allow for the hiring of more staff.

MILWAUKEE - With higher demand and fewer people who want to do the job, Milwaukee's mental health service providers say keeping up is a challenge. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley visited Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center on Tuesday, April 18 to sign a resolution allocating over $600,000 for community mental health services.

The resolution allocates just over $200,000 to Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center to implement two new licensed professional counselor (LPC) positions: a bilingual LPC and an LPC focused on LGBTQIA programming.

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Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center

In addition, the resolution allocates $408,000 to support a contract with City on a Hill to expand responsive behavioral health services.

Ryan Miller is one of two licensed counselors at the Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center.

"I meet with any of our youth that stay here or can come from the community," said Miller.

Lately, Miller's planner has been bursting at the seams, filled with appointments.

Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center

"There’s only so many clients that we can see, so obviously, there’s a huge need for more services, more therapeutic staff, partnerships with agencies," said Miller.

Milwaukee County is sending help with funds from the American Rescue Plan, with $600,000 going toward youth mental health needs in some of Milwaukee's poorest areas.

"We know people of color, especially, don’t always trust the health system, but they trust places like this," said Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland.

At the Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center, they are using the funding to double their staff and hire two more licensed counselors like Miller.

"The capacity to be able to serve that amount of youth is always needed," said Miller.

Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center

The other $400,000 goes to City on a Hill, a non-profit that works with families in poverty. They also plan to hire health care professionals.

As the county funds more staff, Miller said he will be better suited to help counsel youth.