At the Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care (WAPC), we are committed to amplifying community-based approaches that support pregnant and parenting individuals impacted by substance use. Through our Partner Spotlight series, we are proud to highlight organizations doing this work every day across Wisconsin.
Today, we are honored to feature Meta House, a Milwaukee-based organization that has been serving women and families for more than 60 years.
A Legacy of Family-Centered Care
Founded in 1963, Meta House provides substance use treatment and recovery support services grounded in a simple but powerful belief: when women are supported, families and communities thrive.
Meta House offers a continuum of care that includes residential treatment, outpatient services, and recovery housing. What sets their model apart is its intentional focus on keeping families together and addressing the full spectrum of needs for both parent and child.
From the moment a woman enters treatment, she is surrounded by a multidisciplinary team that may include medical providers, therapists, parenting specialists, and lactation support. This wraparound approach ensures women, especially those who are pregnant or postpartum, are connected to prenatal care, supported through delivery, and equipped to navigate early parenthood.
As Sarah Koehn, Director of Philanthropy and Marketing at Meta House, shared:
“From the moment a woman walks through our doors, we wrap a wide range of services around her to meet her needs, and the needs of her children.”
Addressing Barriers Through Integrated Support
Meta House recognizes that recovery does not happen in isolation. Barriers such as transportation, fragmented care, and lack of access to services can prevent women from getting the help they need.
To address this, Meta House has built programs that prioritize stability and accessibility. Their recovery housing options provide safe, supportive environments for both single women and mothers working toward reunification with their children. These environments play a critical role in long-term recovery and family stability.
Equally important is their commitment to reducing stigma.
“Addiction is not a moral failing, it’s a disease,” Koehn emphasized. “When we perpetuate stigma, people feel ashamed and are less likely to ask for help. When we offer support instead of judgment, more people seek the care they need.”
This stigma-free, dignity-affirming approach is central to Meta House’s work, and essential to improving outcomes for pregnant and parenting individuals.
Project Horizon: Expanding What’s Possible
In response to growing need and long waitlists for treatment, Meta House launched Project Horizon, an ambitious expansion designed to significantly increase access to care.
Currently, their residential program serves up to 35 women and 15 children at a time. With Project Horizon, that capacity will grow to serve up to 100 women and children, more than doubling their impact.
But the expansion goes beyond increasing beds. Project Horizon introduces a co-located care model that brings essential services directly to the Meta House campus. Planned services include:
- Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder
- On-site primary care and potential pediatric services
- Dedicated space for child welfare partners and corrections staff
- Collaboration with family drug treatment courts
By integrating these services in one place, Meta House is reducing barriers and creating a more seamless, supportive experience for the women and families they serve.
“Being able to access these services in a place where women feel safe and supported, rather than navigating multiple systems, can be a game changer,” Koehn noted.
