Norris was founded in 1917 by Mr. Daniel W. Norris (Niel).  With the encouragement of his mother, Fannie Wells Norris, Niel dedicated his life and wealth to the boys at Norris.  During the summer of 1917, Niel operated Mount Vernon Boys Camp in Mukwonago, which was organized under the war time effort known as “Soldiers of the Soil”.  When the summer ended, there were 32 boys who could not return to their homes. Niel purchased a nearby farm to not only care for the 32 boys but to also make positive changes in the lives of youth who were headed down a delinquent path. Niel strove to instill a moral compass, a work ethic, the value of education and recreation, good citizenship and independence; all the tools needed to pursue a healthy, productive life, becoming a credit to themselves and to the community. These values have given Norris a solid foundation upon which it has grown for over one hundred years.

Today, the main Norris campus in Mukwonago is almost 900 acres of treatment, educational and recreational space that provides a calm environment for youth and families to heal and grow.  Norris has also expanded to provide services in other counties and is developing a continuum of care that includes community-based treatment and care options for all ages. Every youth served receives  personalized care and treatment plans. Family and youth treatment interventions include individual, group, and family therapy, as well as evaluating and treating psychiatric, psychological and medical needs. Norris also provides support to foster parents and other caregivers as needed to ensure a safe and stable environment for youth. Norris utilizes the Risking Connection® and the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) models in our programs, which teaches a relational framework and skills for working with survivors of traumatic experiences. The focus of these models is on the value and importance of the relationship in the healing process, teaching skills to help with self-regulation through positive thought patterns and on self-care for service providers.  

Many of the youth served at Norris also attend the Norris Academy through the Norris School District, where they receive educational assessments and learning plans that are tailored to their personalized learning needs. The Norris Academy is a student-centric education delivery model that leverages academics, behavioral health and community resources to provide an integrated service for learners and families. Norris and Norris Academy work in close partnership to provide the right blend of personalized treatment and educational services that give youth the ability to explore their talents, interests and realize their self-worth and connection to the larger community. 

As the service needs for children and families has changed over the past 100 years, Norris has forwarded its practice and expanded its services beyond the main campus to meet these needs, allowing Norris to remain a sustainable resource for the community. Norris strives to be the premier provider not only for treatment and educational services, but also as a resource and asset to the larger community and an advocate for children and families everywhere.

Norris is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, marital status, disability, military service or status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

          NORRIS...CELEBRATING 100+ YEARS OF SERVICES TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY!