Prevention with Purpose: How Mario Drain Is Changing the Future for Milwaukee Families
When Mario Drain learned he had been selected as one of five National Home Visitor of the Year for 2026, his response was humble, warm, and unmistakably heartfelt — much like the way he approaches his work every day.
Mario serves as a Fatherhood Involvement Specialist and home visitor with the City of Milwaukee Health Department through the DAD (Direct Assistance for Dads) Project, a father-focused home visiting program that operates within the city limits of Milwaukee. Using the Parents as Teachers evidence-based curriculum, he works primarily with fathers — many of whom are navigating parenthood for the first time.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Mario brings both professional expertise and personal experience to his role. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and is a husband and father of five. Fatherhood, he says, fuels his passion for the work.
“This doesn’t feel like work,” Mario explains. “When I go to work, it doesn’t feel like work. I know I’m making a difference.”
“We’re preventing antisocial behaviors from prenatal stages through early childhood. That’s the foundation of a healthy society.”
From Reactive to Preventative
Mario’s path to home visiting was shaped by what he witnessed earlier in his career. Before joining the DAD Project three years ago, he worked in juvenile probation — a role he describes as reactive and punitive.
“By the time youth were on my caseload,” he reflects, “a lot of developmental cues and milestones had already been missed. It felt like we were responding to problems that could have been prevented.”
That realization led him to seek a different approach — one rooted in prevention.
As a home visitor, Mario works with families prenatally through age three (and sometimes up to five), helping fathers recognize developmental milestones, strengthen parenting skills, and build healthy family dynamics from the very beginning.
“We are preventing antisocial behaviors from prenatal stages through early childhood,” he says. “That’s the foundation of a healthy society.”
Centering Fathers, Supporting Families
The DAD Project specifically enrolls fathers who live within the city of Milwaukee. Mario’s caseload of fathers — some married, some partnered — emphasizes that while fathers are the primary focus, mothers are always welcome participants in visits.
“If it’s her child and her home, I’m not going to say this is just for us guys,” he says with a smile.
Mario especially enjoys working with prenatal families. Starting before a baby is born allows both parents to receive the same information at the same time, building alignment and confidence from day one.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” he says.
“Mario excels in case management, consistently assessing client needs and developing tailored care plans that reflect each family’s unique strengths and circumstances,” said David Comer, DAD Project Supervisor. “He collaborates effectively with multidisciplinary professionals, makes appropriate and timely referrals to community resources, and ensures follow-up to promote continuity of care. Families benefit not only from the resources Mario connects them to, but from his steady presence and follow-through, which fosters trust and long-term engagement.”
“Families benefit not only from the resources Mario connects them to, but from his steady presence and follow-through, which fosters trust and long-term engagement.”
A Full-Circle Moment
When asked about a favorite moment in his career, Mario became emotional.
A father who had graduated from the DAD Project texted him a photo of his now-thriving toddler — a child Mario first met when the family was expecting. The father shared that he was about to graduate from college, a goal they had worked toward together. Then he added something unexpected: while out wearing his DAD Project hoodie, a stranger approached him and said, “Hey, nice hoodie. I’m in that program too.”
For Mario, it was a powerful affirmation.
“That was the stamp,” he says. “It reassured me — yes, this is what you’re supposed to be doing.”
The hoodie itself, given to fathers upon enrollment, has become a quiet symbol of community pride and belonging. The idea came from his supervisor, David Comer, and reflects the team culture Mario describes as supportive, collaborative, and deeply committed.
“Our team brings different perspectives to fatherhood,” Mario explains. “We learn from each other every day.”
Navigating Real-World Barriers
Home visiting is voluntary — a significant shift from Mario’s previous work in the justice system.
The families he serves face serious challenges. Early on, employment was the biggest barrier. Many fathers didn’t know about available job opportunities, so Mario acted as a bridge to connect them to resources.
Perhaps most impactful was the voice of a family navigating intergenerational healing. One family shared, “My son is a 15-year-old with a child. I was hurt when I found out he was having a baby, but Mario has helped us navigate not only the parenting aspect, but also the healing within our family.” This quote underscores Mario’s ability to work beyond parenting education, supporting emotional repair, communication, and family cohesion during complex transitions.
Today, he sees affordable housing as the most urgent concern.
“It’s hard to sit down and talk about curriculum when there’s an eviction notice on the door or a utility shut-off warning,” he says. “Poverty impacts everything.”
Yet even in the face of these realities, Mario remains committed to meeting families where they are — adjusting materials, pacing, and approach based on each father’s learning style and circumstances.
“Remove the expectation that all families are the same,” he advises those considering the home visiting field. “They’re not.”
For example, some fathers eagerly apply written materials independently. Others need information broken down, demonstrated, or shared through video. Flexibility and humility, he says, are essential.
Looking Ahead: Closing the Gap
As he considers the future of home visiting, Mario hopes to see services extend beyond early childhood.
Many programs end around age five and don’t reappear until adolescence — often when youth enter the juvenile justice system. He believes there is a missed opportunity during the elementary and middle school years.
“Where are the services for families during that gap?” he asks. “Before something goes wrong?”
For now, he continues evolving in his own role. As his caseload grows, so does his sense of family. Children greet him as “Uncle Mario,” hugs are common and trust runs deep.
“It’s like my family just keeps getting bigger,” he says.
And in homes across Milwaukee, that growing family — supported, empowered, and strengthened — is quietly shaping a healthier future for the entire community.
We are honored to congratulate Mario on his selection as a 2026 National Home Visitor of the Year!
For more information on the The City of Milwaukee Health Department - DAD (Direct Assistance for Dads) Project, visit: https://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Services-and-Programs/DAD. For an excellent video on DAD Project, click HERE.
Parents as Teachers: Parents as Teachers operates in local communities across the United States and around the world. With more than 1,000 affiliates using their evidence-based model, they nurture positive change for every child and every family. Learn more at https://parentsasteachers.org/
National Home Visiting Week: Celebrating home visiting and the professionals who make this field special! National Home Visiting Week (NHVW), is a yearly observance to celebrate and recognize home visitors and the positive impact they make on maternal and child health outcomes. In 2025, the Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals (Institute), an organization focused on strengthening home visiting and human service programs across the country, began this grassroots movement with nonprofit partners and elected officials across the country. The 2026 National Home Visiting Week will be held April 20-24, 2026 nationwide. Learn more at www.theinstitutefsp.org/nhvweek
Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals (Institute): The Institute is an organization focused on strengthening home visiting and human service programs across the country. The Institute offers home visitors and family support professionals everywhere the opportunity to learn new skills and grow their careers and is the national hub for personal growth, professional development and career advancement. Learn more at www.theinstitutefsp.org
#NHVW #NationalHomeVisitingWeek #NHVW2026 #HomeVisitingHeroes
Thank you to Molina Healthcare for providing 2026 corporate sponsorship, allowing us to provide a gift package to five home visitors across the country who we honor as National Home Visitors of the Year.