A Momentous Year of Transformation

By James Madlom, Board Chair

I’m so proud to be part of an organization that has been caring for children and families for 175 years. We now have more than 320 committed, hardworking employees serving over 7,500 people throughout southeast Wisconsin every year.

2024 was a truly historic year as our longtime President and CEO, Ann Leinfelder Grove, announced her retirement after dedicating more than 30 years to Wellpoint Care Network in various roles. Her tenure is marked by transformative changes in our approach to care, notably:

• Adopting and integrating Trauma Informed Care theories and practices into every aspect of service;
• Implementing the Five Pillars of Stability as the lens through which individuals and families thrive;
• Advancing a strategic vision to enhance our partnerships within the community and
• Championing an unwavering commitment to a culture of equity and inclusion.

Ann’s transformative leadership evolved and advanced Wellpoint Care Network’s services and approach, laying the foundation for impactful change in Milwaukee and surrounding communities for decades to come.

Above (l-r): Ann Leinfelder Grove with Tim Grove at the 2024 Back to School Bash; Ann with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley and Alderman Lamont Westmoreland at the Groundbreaking of the GSI Groundwater Project; Ann with White House representatives and local community advocates who met to discuss the impact of new rules about access to mental health benefits. Click on any of the photos to view a FULL GALLERY.

Thank you, Ann, for your passion, dedication and commitment to the children and families of Milwaukee. You have made a difference in thousands of lives and have helped strengthen the communities of southeast Wisconsin and throughout the state. Your impact is and has been immeasurable.

We look forward now to a great new chapter as Reggie Newson steps in as President and CEO. Reggie’s deep commitment to our organization’s mission, as well as his collaborative leadership style, broad community connections and track record of success in developing innovative solutions make him the ideal person to continue the organization’s mission of empowering children and families to thrive.

We hope you will join us as well. Together, we can travel on the path Ann has established, and continue to create healing and hope for the people in our care.

Impact By the Numbers

When ROBERT‘s newborn son, Malachi, was removed from his care, Robert worked alongside loving Wellpoint Care Network foster parents to learn how to create a safer, more stable home environment and gain back full custody. Now reunited, Robert and Malachi still enjoy a relationship with the foster family — even celebrating birthdays together.

At Wellpoint Care Network, the reunification of families is always our goal. We believe that foster care is meant to give families time to make necessary changes so that children can safely return to the homes and communities they know best.

ELIZABETH was diagnosed with multiple mental health disorders as a teen. Wellpoint Care helped enroll her in many activities through Milwaukee County’s Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program, such as equine therapy and yoga. Now in her early 20s, Elizabeth is happier, healthier and much more independent than ever before.

CCS is just one of the ways we help bring mental health care to those who need it. We also offer Outpatient Clinic services, School Based Mental Health, Occupational Therapy, Medication Management and Neurosequential Model (NM) Clinical Consultations.

GWEN is a Girl Scout leader on a mission to understand child behaviors and how best to respond to them. Since being certified in Wellpoint Care Network’s Trauma Informed Care framework, she has shared these concepts to more than 100 leaders in her community — and believes this invaluable information will have an impact for generations to come.

Wellpoint Care Network offers trauma-informed training, consultation and certification to help communities learn to overcome barriers related to trauma and live their best lives.

COREY is a single father who attended and participated in our annual Diapers for Dads distribution event. While diapers offer families immediate relief, we know it’s only part of the solution. They also need access to resources that address the root causes of diaper need — like employment, affordable childcare and family support systems.

At Wellpoint Care Network, we host several events throughout the year geared towards helping families receive the resources and community connections they need to truly thrive.