Birth‑to‑3 providers warn of program collapse without county funding increases

CEOs, program managers and service coordinators from the three remaining Milwaukee County Birth to 3 providers told the county board on Oct. 27 that the early-intervention system is under severe financial strain and that funding shortfalls threaten continuity of services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays.

Representatives from Penfield Children's Center, St. Francis Children's Center and Curative Care Network described rapid enrollment growth, flat public funding and rising operating costs. “Since 2018, Milwaukee County has seen a 75% reduction in its birth to 3 providers,” Rebecca Folkman, a Penfield service coordinator, said. She urged supervisors to “support increased funding for birth to 3” to avoid disruption for families.

Leaders quantified the gap. Speakers reported a combined funding shortfall of roughly $2.0–$2.1 million after state funding, county funding and billed insurance are accounted for. “At Penfield alone, we face a $1,200,000 annual funding gap next year,” one speaker said. Saint Francis Children’s Center and Curative Care Network joined the request for a combined county increase; earlier in the budget process the finance committee had recommended a $450,000 addition, which speakers said is helpful but insufficient to stabilize the system.

Providers emphasized the program’s legal status and cost‑saving rationale. “Because birth to 3 is a federally mandated and state‑entitled service, we cannot turn families away,” Stephanie Millard, program manager for St. Francis, said. Speakers argued that investing in early intervention reduces later special‑education and social‑service costs.

Speakers also described operational impacts: higher caseloads per therapist, difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled staff, and reliance on fundraising and reserves to cover gaps. “We are asked to raise philanthropic funds to deliver a federally mandated service,” Millard said. Providers requested a collective $2.1 million increase to reduce caseloads, stabilize staffing and ensure no child loses access to services.

Ending: Multiple providers asked the board to treat the requested increase as an investment that will “save dollars down the road” by reducing future special-education and social-service costs.