Planning Council History

The Planning Council for Health and Human Services, Inc. was originally formed in 1965 as the Mental Health Planning Committee. The committee was established as a result of joint action by United Community Services of Greater Milwaukee (now known as the United Way of Greater Milwaukee) and the Milwaukee County Board of Public Welfare to help them work together more effectively. The committee was to conduct studies that led to better coordination between the County and United Way in funding mental health and developmental disability services.

In 1974, the Mental Health Planning Committee was incorporated as a private, non-profit corporation and became the Mental Health Planning Council (MHPC). In that same year, MHPC was formally designated as a planning agency for Milwaukee County under contract to the Combined Community Services Board. The council developed the state-mandated annual plan for mental health, alcoholism, drug abuse and developmental disabilities.

MHPC was designated as the Citizen Participation Council for Title XX Social Services Planning in Milwaukee County in 1980. As a result of this designation, the agency revised its Articles of Incorporation and changed its name to the Planning Council for Mental Health and Social Services, Inc.

The Planning Council merged with the Southeastern Wisconsin Health Systems Agency in 1987, expanding the Planning Council’s geographic service area beyond Milwaukee County and adding an additional area of responsibility – a health component. The merger brought about the organization as it is known today, Planning Council for Health & Human Services, Inc., servicing the seven-county area of Southeastern Wisconsin and specializing in all aspects of community health and well-being.

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