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 From our humble beginnings in the home of Wisconsin Rapids volunteer, whose newly diagnosed epilepsy led her to develop much needed community resources for those with the disorder, Midstate Epilepsy Association was founded in 1980. In 1999 our service territory expanded and with that a name change: Epilepsy Foundation of Central and Northeast Wisconsin . EFCNW has grown into an agency with two offices, five staff positions and more than 100 volunteers including a Board of Directors and Professional Advisory Board.
EFCNW is dedicated to providing education, services and advocacy to benefit people with epilepsy, their families and the greater community. Our mission is to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy, and services. With headquarters in Stevens Point and a branch office in Menasha, EFCNW serves Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Waupaca, Wood, Door, Brown, Calumet, Kewaunee, Outagamie, Menominee, Forest, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Shawano, Winnebago, Florence, Oneida, Langlade and Vilas Counties.
Two percent of the populations in these areas, or as many as 25,600 people are estimated to have epilepsy and an estimated 10 percent of the population will experience a single seizure sometime during their lives. We provide services to help individuals and families deal with any of the problems that may result; from treatment difficulties, medication management, adjustment at school or work, transportation, discrimination, safety issues, economic hardship, coping difficulties to lingering social stigma.
Support groups, individual education and support, case management, children's camp and emergency medication funding are among our direct services programs. Also offered are public and professional education, conferences and workshops, school programs on epilepsy, in-service training, information and referral, media outreach, a newsletter and a lending library of books and videos.
EFCNW is an affiliate of the national Epilepsy Foundation. Funding for EFCNW comes from several sources: seven Central Wisconsin United Ways , a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, other grants, special events and donations.
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