County Executive David Crowley and Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell approved legislation on April 14 to allocate $5 million over several years for the FORGE (Family, Opportunity, Resilience, Grit, Engagement) Fatherhood Services program in Milwaukee County. The announcement was made at Wisconsin Community Services during the Week of the Young Child.
The new funding aims to provide a range of services supporting adult fathers in caring for their children, promoting responsible parenthood, and fostering economic stability. The initiative is administered by Milwaukee County’s Department of Health & Human Services Child Support Services (CSS).
“During the Week of the Young Child, we celebrate the importance of early childhood development and the environments that help children thrive. This investment reflects a simple but powerful belief: Strong families build strong children, and fathers play a critical role in that foundation,” said County Executive Crowley. “Today’s action reinforces our commitment to ensuring every child in Milwaukee County has the support system they deserve—starting with strong, engaged parents. Together, we are strengthening families, empowering parents, and creating a community where every child has the opportunity to succeed.”
Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell said: “Investing in fathers is an investment in families and in the long-term health of our community. Through FORGE, we are expanding access to the tools, support, and opportunities fathers need to be present, engaged, and financially stable for their children. During the Week of the Young Child, this commitment underscores our belief that strong families start with strong support systems—and Milwaukee County is proud to lead with action that uplifts parents and creates brighter futures for the next generation.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Family Assistance awarded CSS a five-year grant starting September 2025 as part of its national effort to strengthen positive father-child engagement. Sandra Stevens from Milwaukee County Child Support Services described FORGE as “a program focusing on fathers of all kinds,” adding: “It will strengthen parenting skills, focus on developing healthy relationships, and create economic stability.”
The FORGE Program will serve fathers aged 18 or older living in Milwaukee County who have dependent or young adult children up to age 24. It includes curriculum-based workshops covering responsible parenting education; healthy marriage relationship education; economic stability; individualized case management; partnerships with Wisconsin Community Services; UniteWI; Fathers Making Progress; Sojourner Family Peace Center for staff training/support services referrals; AMTC & Associates for project performance evaluation.
Clarence Johnson from Wisconsin Community Services said: “Wisconsin Community Services has a long history of partnering with Milwaukee County government on many important initiatives… We look forward to working with Milwaukee County Child Support Services…to ensure that all young fathers…have the support and services needed…”
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Oak Creek High School had highest enrollment among county schools during 2023-24 at 2,223 students followed by HAPA-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 (1,894 students) and Franklin High School (1,606 students). Of all county school attendees during this period—116,758 total—Black students made up about one-third (33%, or 38,530), white students accounted for roughly 29% (33,860), while Hispanic students were third largest at nearly one-quarter (24.5%, or 28,606). Multiracial students comprised about 5.5% while Pacific Islander students represented just 0.1%.
The launch aligns with broader efforts across educational institutions serving diverse student populations within Milwaukee County according to state data.
Looking ahead county officials say they hope these investments will foster stronger family structures across communities.
