Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service (WLCFS)

Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service (WLCFS) is a non-profit social service agency headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. WLCFS is affliated with, but not financially supported by, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).

History
WLCFS was founded in 1965 as Wisconsin Lutheran Convalescent Home, a joint outgrowth of the Behany Convalescent Home in Milwaukee, WI and the Lutheran Children's Friend Society in Wauwatosa, WI. In later 1965, the Board of Directors determined that there was a significant need for a child welfare agency within the Wisconsin Synod.

On January 30, 1966 the official name of the agency was changed to Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service to reflect the two divisions of the agency (child welfare and convalescent/aging). The child welfare division included Chrisitan family counseling and an adoption service.

On September 24, 1967 WLCFS held a groundbreaking ceremony for an 48 bed addition to the 116 bed residence for the aging and a two-story building that housed the child-welfare and administrative offices.

In 1980 WLCFS created a subsidiary named Wisconsin Lutheran Retirement Community, Inc.(WLRC) to build and oversee Luther Haven, an independent retirement community.

In 1994, the adoption service of WLCFS was closed and the name of the existing convalescent home was changed to Wisconsin Lutheran Care Center.

The addition of Wisconsin Lutheran Living Center, an assisted living facility was completed in 1997.

Today
WLCFS operates four Christian Family Counseling offices throughout Wisconsin in addition to the main office in Milwaukee. Educational programs and presentations are also available through the Christian Leadership Training division of the agency. WLCFS offers a Continuum of Care for seniors that includes independent living at Luther Haven, assisted living at Wisconsin Lutheran Care Center, and skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation care at Wisconsin Lutheran Care Center.

Leadership
WLCFS is under the direction of a 14 member Board of Directors of called workers and laymen from within the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Chief Executive Officers

Rev. James Mattek- 2004-present

Rev. Robert Michel- 1992-2004

Rev. Ernst Lehninger- 1965-1992