Paul Florsheim

Paul Florsheim is a Professor and Program Lead in the Community and Behavioral Health Promotion at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and public health researcher, he focuses on addressing mental health and relational challenges among high-risk adolescents and families, with expertise in preventing domestic violence, substance abuse, and behavioral disorders. His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations across healthcare centers, community organizations, and international institutions.

• PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University
• MA in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago
• BA in History from Wesleyan University

Dr. Florsheim’s research centers on public health interventions for adolescents and young parents. He leads the Preparing for Parenthood project, a father-inclusive prenatal care model implemented in Chicago, backed by a $5.5M grant from the Administration for Children and Families. His Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) initiative, funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Program, targets child abuse reduction through community-based parenting support. Internationally, he collaborates with the Peruvian National Institute of Mental Health on adapting the Young Parenthood Program to prevent domestic violence in Lima. Additionally, he explores disparities in youth mental health access through the Access to Youth Mental Health Study (AYMH), and contributes to the NIH-funded Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study (ABCD).

His recent work trends emphasize multilevel interventions, cross-cultural applications, and addressing racial/ethnic health disparities. Projects often integrate coparenting skill development, financial stability metrics, and bilingual (English/Spanish) service delivery.

Dr. Florsheim teaches courses such as PH 306: Adolescent Health and Development, PH 327: Foundations for Action in Public Health, and PH 919: Core Seminar in Community and Behavioral Health Promotion. He has authored influential books including Adolescent Romantic Relations and Sexual Behavior and The Young Parenthood Program, which guide public health approaches to parenting education and adolescent mental health.