Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health

What Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health does

The Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health (OCMH) is a Wisconsin state government agency that supports children's mental health through system coordination, resource development, and policy advocacy across the state. Created in the 2013-15 biennial budget and operating since 2014, OCMH reports directly to the Governor and receives administrative support from the Department of Health Services. The agency operates with a small team (approximately 7 staff) and serves Wisconsin families, schools, healthcare providers, state agencies (DCF, DHS, DPI, OSS), advocates, and people with lived experience. Its strategic focus centers on youth belonging, youth voice, and school mental health, and it convenes the Children's Mental Health Network through four quarterly learning meetings annually.

OCMH's product portfolio consists of free digital resources and programs rather than commercial technology products. Core offerings include the Feelings Thermometer tools (available in 11 languages), the Mental Health Crisis Card, the Pause 4-step emotional management tool, and the Mental Health Literacy Instructional Units co-developed with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction covering grades K4 through 12. The agency administers the Building Belonging Mini-Grants program (40 grants awarded to schools since 2024 at $500-$1,000 each), hosts the annual Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit, and produces publications including fact sheets, data bites, and an annual report backed by the Child Well-Being Indicators Dashboard tracking 41 well-being factors. Peer-led wellness programs (Hope Squad, NAMI Raise Your Voice, REDgen Schools, Sources of Strength) operate in 300+ Wisconsin schools.

OCMH's business model is non-commercial government service delivery. All resources, publications, training materials, and tools are provided free of charge, with funding flowing through Wisconsin state budget appropriations. The agency charges no fees and operates a minor document-sales channel for physical merchandise (Feelings Thermometer magnets at $23.40 per package of 24) via the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Its go-to-market motion is community-led: convening the multi-stakeholder Children's Mental Health Network, publishing multilingual resources, and partnering with peer-led program operators to drive system change rather than to capture market share.

Name

Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health

Legal name

Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health

Website

https://children.wi.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health is a Wisconsin state government agency that supports children's mental health through free resources, school mental health programs, data dashboards, peer-led wellness initiatives, and coordination of a multi-stakeholder network across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Children's Mental Health Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJAIAB

School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Student Health, Safety & Wellbeing Services (Counseling, Mental Health, SEL, Safeguarding)

SECONDARYHLAFACAL

Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment

SECONDARYEDAKAMAN

Mental Health Screening, Assessment & Referral Coordination (School-Based)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Mental Health Supports (School-Based)

Keywords

• Children's mental health
• School mental health
• Mental health literacy
• Child wellbeing data
• Trauma-informed care

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: OCMH is a state government agency funded through the Wisconsin state budget. Created in the 2013-15 biennial budget and began operating in 2014. The agency receives administrative support from the Department of Health Services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health (OCMH) is a state government agency that provides free mental health resources, data publications, training, and coordination services to support Wisconsin children's social and emotional well-being. Its core offerings include the Feelings Thermometer tool (in 11 languages), Mental Health Crisis Card, Mental Health Literacy Instructional Units (K4-12 curriculum), Child Well-Being Indicators Dashboard, Annual Report, Fact Sheets, Trauma-Informed Care and Supportive Adult training, the Building Belonging Mini-Grants program, and the annual Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit. The agency convenes the Children's Mental Health Network and coordinates across state agencies, schools, healthcare providers, advocates, and lived-experience leaders.

Product overview

The Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health (OCMH) is a state government agency that serves as a mental health information and resource hub rather than a product company. OCMH provides a portfolio of free digital resources, publications, training materials, and programs to support children's mental health in Wisconsin. The core offerings include the Feelings Thermometer tools (available in 11 languages), Mental Health Crisis Card, Mental Health Literacy Instructional Units (K4-12 curriculum), and the Handling a Mental Health Crisis Guide. Supporting resources include Data Bites, Annual Reports, Fact Sheets, the Child Well-Being Indicators Dashboard, and training videos on trauma-informed care and supportive adults. OCMH also administers the Building Belonging Mini-Grants program for schools and hosts the annual Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit. The portfolio emphasizes youth voice, belonging, and connection as foundational to child mental wellness, with materials available in multiple languages including Spanish and Hmong.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Feelings Thermometer A visual aid tool for youth and adults to identify and communicate feelings, with prompts to help name emotions and suggestions for managing feelings. Available in 11 languages.
• Early Childhood Feelings Thermometer A visual aid companion tool for adults working with young children (ages 0-5) to help children identify feelings, name emotions, and take action to manage feelings.
• Mental Health Crisis Card A wallet-sized card that tells people what to do in the first five minutes of a mental health crisis, completed by the individual to include their personal calming strategies.
• Handling a Mental Health Crisis Guide A guide providing tangible suggestions for caregivers on how to approach challenging mental health moments with clarity and compassion, created in partnership with mental health advocates, clinicians, and parents.
• Mental Health Literacy Instructional Units Skills-based lesson plans for grades K4 through 12th grade developed in partnership with the Wisconsin DPI, focusing on mental wellness skills including self-management, advocacy, and communication.
• Building Belonging Mini-Grants Mini-grants of $500 to $1,000 provided to Wisconsin middle and high schools to build belonging and social connection among students through student-led initiatives.
• Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit Annual convening of high school students with student-led wellness programs, bringing together youth leaders and adult advisors to improve mental health and wellness in school communities.
• Child Well-Being Indicators Dashboard Annual monitoring dashboard presenting data on 41 well-being factors covering clinical, social, economic, and individual health categories for Wisconsin children.
• Annual Report Annual report documenting the current well-being of children, teens, and young adults in Wisconsin, including the Child Well-Being Indicators Dashboard and highlighting efforts to address children's mental health systems.
• Fact Sheets Periodic two-page informational pieces providing deep dives into topics relevant to children's mental health with actionable recommendations for families, communities, and decision-makers.
• Data Bites Bite-sized, visual-format data pieces on individual key children's mental health data points, designed to be easily understood and shared.
• What To Do While You Wait Guidance for families on what to do while waiting for children's mental health services, including advice for the doctor's office, therapy, school, and home.
• Support Your Child In Therapy Resources explaining the role parents and caregivers can take to support their child in therapy, created in partnership with parents and mental health professionals.
• OCMH Resources in Spanish Key resources translated into Spanish including fact sheets, guides, and tools to reach Wisconsin families.
• Trauma-Informed Care Training Video training series with discussion toolkits on trauma-informed care topics including race, culture, implicit bias, white privilege, and COVID-19 collective trauma.
• Supportive Adult Training Video training with discussion toolkit on what youth want from supportive adults, featuring youth perspectives and developmental relationships framework.
• Children's Mental Health Network Quarterly learning meetings bringing together children's mental health advocates and professionals to learn about initiatives and activities across Wisconsin.
• Accessing Children's Mental Health Services Guide A roadmap guide for parents getting started with accessing mental health services for their child, created with input from parents, mental health providers, and advocates.
• Pause Tool A 4-step process (Pause, Acknowledge, Think, Help) to help manage uncomfortable or unpleasant emotions, recommended by Mental Health America.

Quantifiable outcome

• School-based peer-led wellness programs in 300+ schools across Wisconsin
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministrative support provider for OCMH. OCMH reports directly to the Governor but receives administrative support from DHS. Collaboration on data sources including Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health (WISH) and Wisconsin mental health resources.
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of Mental Health Literacy Instructional Units for K4-12th grade. Partnership on school mental health resources, universal screening guidance, and mental health literacy framework development.
• Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner contributing to children's mental health initiatives and system coordination across Wisconsin state agencies.
• Office of School Safety (OSS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner providing school safety data and resources related to children's mental health and well-being.
• Hope SquadcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeer-led mental wellness program active in Wisconsin schools, part of the 300+ schools with peer-led wellness programs. Hope Squad groups work to increase school belonging and reduce suicidality.
• NAMI Raise Your Voice ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool-based peer mental wellness program operating in Wisconsin middle and high schools. Part of the peer-led wellness program network reaching 300+ schools statewide.
• REDgen SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeer-led wellness education program active in Wisconsin schools contributing to the statewide network of 300+ schools with student-led mental health initiatives.
• Sources of StrengthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvidence-based peer-led wellness program operating in Wisconsin schools. Research shows one such program reduced suicide attempts by 29%. Part of 300+ school peer-led network.
• Children's Mental Health Network StakeholderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroad coalition including lived experience leaders, state department representatives, mental health advocacy organizations, healthcare provider associations, healthcare systems, mental health professionals, provider organizations, youth-serving organizations, educators, and school mental health program representatives.
• Wisconsin EducatorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeachers, parents, youth, and mental health experts who collaborated with OCMH and DPI to create the Mental Health Literacy Instructional Units for K4-12th grade.
• Mental Health AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization whose research and resources on peer support effectiveness inform OCMH's youth peer support initiatives. Collaborative on Pause resources and mental wellness materials.
• Mental Health AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on the Pause 4-step process for managing uncomfortable emotions, providing research-backed methodology for OCMH's Pause resource.
• Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Prevention and Early Intervention SectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanel facilitator and partner in Trauma-Informed Care training video series on race and culture, contributing expertise on children's mental health and equity.
• Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition providing resources and support for schools working to improve school mental health and address student wellness.
• Wisconsin Safe & Healthy Schools CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource organization supporting school mental health initiatives and student wellness programs across Wisconsin.
• SAMHSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency whose recognition of peer support as an evidence-based practice provides foundational research supporting Wisconsin's peer support initiatives.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading professional organization whose endorsement of peer support as a key component of effective mental health systems informs Wisconsin's approach.
• Child Mind InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed expert guidance on social media use, media guidelines, and conversation starters for families on children's mental health topics.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Colorado Office of Behavioral Health — Children, Youth & Family Programs: Colorado's behavioral health office runs children, youth, and family programs including school-based mental health initiatives. As a state-level coordinating authority for children's behavioral health, it is a direct structural peer to OCMH.
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission — Children's Mental Health: Texas HHS oversees children's mental health services, system coordination, and provider networks for youth statewide. It is comparable to OCMH as a state-level children's behavioral health coordinating and funding body.
• California Department of Health Care Services — Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative: California's CYBHI is a large state-led initiative to reimagine children and youth behavioral health, including statewide school-linked programs and a public dashboard. It is a direct functional peer to OCMH as a state-coordinating body for children's mental health.
• New York State Office of Mental Health (Children & Family Services): New York's OMH administers children's mental health programs, clinic licensing, and system planning across the state, functioning as a state behavioral health authority — directly analogous in role to OCMH.

Broad incumbents

• National Center for School Mental Health (University of Maryland): NCSMH is the national technical assistance and policy center for school mental health, including the SHAPE system framework used in many states. It operates at a broader national scale than OCMH but addresses overlapping school-based mental health goals.
• Child Mind Institute: Child Mind Institute is an independent national organization providing children's mental health education, clinical resources, and family guidance, and is a documented OCMH partner. It operates at national scale in the same domain as OCMH's family-facing resources.
• Mental Health America: Mental Health America is a national community-based nonprofit addressing mental health across the lifespan, including youth-focused screening and peer support. OCMH has partnered with MHA on the Pause resource, and MHA operates at a national scale in adjacent territory.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA is the federal agency whose evidence-based practice recognitions and grant programs underpin much of OCMH's peer support and school mental health work. It is the federal-tier peer providing research and funding infrastructure that OCMH relies on.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is a nationwide advocacy and education organization whose school-based programs (e.g., NAMI Raise Your Voice Club) are explicitly part of OCMH's Wisconsin school network. NAMI is the national umbrella for many of OCMH's channel partners.

Others

• Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health: This is a national coalition supporting schools in expanding mental health services — a documented OCMH partner and a thematically related ecosystem participant that amplifies OCMH's school-based work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WIKidsMH
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtgbPFJU6idWuO4CcX_N4dA
• Facebookfacebook.com/OCMHWI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ocmhwi
• Instagraminstagram.com/youthmentalhealthwi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health