Milwaukee-based Centers for Independence will shut down its home care program at the end of October, putting about 90 clients in transition and leaving a little over 100 workers facing layoffs. The nonprofit says the program has operated at a loss for years and is no longer financially sustainable.
The closure of MCFI Home Care and the resulting job cuts were first reported by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. A layoff notice was filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, while Centers for Independence says it is working to move clients to other providers and has heard from organizations interested in taking on clients and staff.
The home care program helps older adults and people with disabilities remain in their own homes instead of moving into more restrictive settings. The broader Centers for Independence network also operates employment programs, early-intervention and education services for children with developmental delays, and mental health programs.
Home Care Program Lost Money As Costs Rose
Financial records reviewed by ProPublica show MCFI Home Care reported about $3.1 million in revenue and nearly $4.1 million in expenses for 2024. The gap was part of a longer pattern, with reimbursement levels, service-delivery costs and workforce pressures repeatedly pushing expenses hundreds of thousands of dollars above revenue.
Jessica Williamson, vice president for communications at Centers for Independence, said the organization is refocusing its resources on programs that better match its core mission and priorities, according to the Journal Sentinel. The decision affects the home care operation, not the nonprofit’s other divisions.
Clients And Caregivers Face A Tight Transition
The layoffs will include more than 100 caregivers, about half of whom work part time for fewer than 20 hours per week. The affected positions also include a nurse, a program manager, two utilization specialists and a community liaison.
Wisconsin’s latest personal care agency directory, published by the Department of Health Services, lists MCFI Home Care among the providers serving Milwaukee County and surrounding areas. That gives clients other names to consider, but the closure still puts pressure on families and agencies to coordinate new care without interrupting services.
Closure Adds To Milwaukee’s Care-Safety-Net Strain
The shutdown comes after other Milwaukee-area care disruptions, including the psychiatry office closures that left patients scrambling for replacement providers. Milwaukee County’s caregiver support program says it offers information, education and financial resources for families caring for older adults, people with dementia or individuals with disabilities, according to the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services.
