The specimen collection and red signal marker at Family Care of the Fox Cities. April 29, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Family Care of the Fox Cities is the first healthcare provider in the Fox Valley to introduce the “Red Signal” program.
It allows domestic violence victims to discreetly mark specimen cups with a red marker or sticker to signal they need help. It’s an expansion of a program already in place at OB-GYN offices.
“If we really want to reach women who are of childbearing age, only doing this at an obstetrician gynecology office is going to miss a lot of people,” said Dr. Julianne Falleroni. “I think that is why I feel like it is a great opportunity, as a family medicine office, to offer this service, this program.”
Wednesday’s announcement marked the beginning of the program. Tracy Plamann, CEO of domestic abuse resource center Harbor House, said it’s a game changer.
“It will save lives, because as long as that door has been opened for a victim, they will walk through it, as long as it’s consistent,” Plamann said.
Brian Randall, president of domestic violence nonprofit Kalico Forest, said the plan is to expand to every healthcare provider in the area to keep that consistency.
“We want to regionalize it to say, ‘We don’t care what specialty you’re at. You have the same opportunity.’ So that when you do feel safe, and you know it’s time for you to signal, you can — no matter where you are,” he explained.
Kalico Forest said in 2024, 110 people died in Wisconsin as a result of domestic violence. Randall’s sister, Kali, her son, Zeke, and her daughter, Freya, died nearly three years ago as a result of domestic violence. He said the initiative’s ultimate goal is to save lives.
If we have one person that feels safe enough to signal, we’ve won.
Officials said they’re actively in talks with larger healthcare providers to implement the Red Signal program.
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