Federal Funding Cuts to AmeriCorps Programs at Sanford Health’s Marshfield Clinic Region

Thursday, May 1st, 2025 -- 10:00 AM

(Caitlin Shuda, USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin) The elimination of AmeriCorps projects throughout Wisconsin hit health systems like Sanford Health’s Marshfield Clinic region that have partnered with volunteers for the last decade, according to Caitlin Shuda with USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin.

According to an April 29 report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, about 430 AmeriCorps members working in Wisconsin were told to immediately stop all activities by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

AmeriCorps focused on issues like literacy, homelessness, conservation and health care. A spokesperson for Marshfield Clinic told a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter the health system region worked with AmeriCorps members in communities throughout the state for the last decade.

“They have served in health care settings, worked to improve the environment, and helped support those in recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders,” Marshfield Clinic said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, due to Federal funding cuts, these programs will be discontinued going forward. We are grateful to the many volunteers who have served to support these programs and for the positive impact they’ve had on our communities across the region.”

According to mchsamericorps.org, the Marshfield Clinic region supported two public health AmeriCorps programs: Community Corps and Recovery Corps. AmeriCorps helped Wisconsin nonprofit organizations tackle critical health challenges in local communities.

According to a Marshfield Clinic news release from 2022 about the AmeriCorps programs, Community Corps volunteers helped with urgent health needs in a community, increasing the capacity of organizations like Marshfield Clinic to address local health needs.

They have focused on nutrition, mental health, substance misuse, chronic disease prevention, violence prevention, healthy growth and development, academics, oral health, tobacco, sexual health, communicable disease, environmental health, physical activity and more areas of health.

Recovery Corps volunteers help as recovery coaches, focusing on substance abuse. Volunteers through this program have focused on reducing prescription drug, opioid and other substance use disorders by one-on-one coaching, outreach phone calls and community education.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.