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Thank you for your commitment to making Milwaukee a better place.
Please email me to keep me informed
of your coming events, job opportunities, grant availability, and other activities. Your ideas and feedback are welcome.
Yours in prevention,
Elysse Chay Wageman
Prevention Services Manager, Public Policy Institute
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Spotlight On: Youth Justice Milwaukee
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Wisconsin's juvenile justice system is in crisis, with a steady stream of troubling revelations about Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, two youth prisons in northern Wisconsin that are
plagued by abuse, the overuse of solitary confinement and restraints, and suicide attempts.
Despite the headlines, for the most part the voices of youth and families involved in the system haven't been part of the conversation on how to reform it. Rather, the decisions are dominated by tough-on-crime lawmakers, a corrections system that's unwilling to change the status quo, and local leaders that are reluctant to go out on a limb to advocate for change.
Their goal? To shut down Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake and to replace them with a continuum of alternative supports in the community to meet the needs of young people in the juvenile justice system.
That doesn't mean building another Lincoln Hills or Copper Lake closer to home. Instead, YJM is advocating for providing mentoring, intensive case management, and other programming in small, secure (if needed), but not institutional settings in the community. YJM argues -- and is armed with
plenty of research backing up their statements -- that this shift to community alternatives will reduce recidivism, improve community safety, and change the lives of youth -- disproportionately Black and Latino youth -- now and for the rest of their lives.
After all, Roman says that the juvenile justice system is a key feeder to the adult corrections system, which is already overburdened and perpetuates racial inequality. Wisconsin, notoriously, has far and away
the highest incarceration rate for African American men in the country. The disparities start in the juvenile system. Wisconsin's African American youth make up over 70 percent of youth in juvenile correctional facilities, even though they represent just 10 percent of the state's total youth population,
according to the Urban Institute.
Similarly, African American youth comprise 10 percent of Milwaukee County's youth population, but 92 percent of those from the county who are incarcerated, says the W. Haywood Burns Institute for Juvenile Justice Fairness and Equity.
Addressing and fixing Wisconsin's juvenile justice system will have a ripple effect on the adult corrections system, Roman says.
"The system is designed to be the way it is," says Roman. "It has to be dismantled and totally rethought."
[READ MORE]
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Pulling Together for
Peace and Solutions
July 15
Join
Safe & Sound and the
53206 Drug-Free Communities Project for a day full of resources and solutions on housing, employment, health, and safety concerns. Meet and greet Alderwoman Milele Coggs, Alderman Khalif Rainey, and Alderman Russell Stamper and participate in a town hall meeting.
Be part of the solution!
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Public Policy Institute's
2016
Year-End Letter
We made great strides in 2016, and now you can read all about it. Our
2016 Year-End Letter highlights our prevention work, including growing the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (MCSAP), re-committing to the Milwaukee Brighter Futures Initiative and our incredible grantees and partners, building the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth coalitions, doing innovative outreach through the 53206 Drug-Free Communities Project, and racking up more policy successes through the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance. Thank you to all who contributed to such a meaningful and productive year.
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Taking on Menthol Tobacco Marketing Targeted to
African Americans
and the LGBTQ Community
PPI published a
guest blog from Azure'De M. Williams,
Executive Director of the Milwaukee Area Health Education Center and Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Movement Coalition, on the targeted marketing of menthol tobacco products to African American consumers.
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The proliferation of menthol cigarettes, which are more dangerous than non-menthol cigarettes, in the black community is no accident," Williams writes. Perhaps that's why
tobacco use is the leading cause of premature death for African Americans in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 47,000 annually. Williams concludes: "The time is now to take a stand against tobacco companies who manipulate and target our communities with addictive and deadly menthol products. The health of our next generation is at stake."
Check out our update
, too, about menthol marketing targeted to African Americans and, at PrideFest, the LGBTQ community, too.
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Why It's Important to
Talk to Youth about Drugs
Collins talked with the young people about how taking drugs impairs brain development, affects one's health and ability to make good decisions, and can lead to addiction -- and terrible symptoms of withdrawals. Collins ends with some recommendations, including: "Remember that prevention works. It's far easier and more effective to make an impression on a young person before they start using drugs than to try to intervene once they've started using and are on the road to addiction."
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Save the Date:
PPI Happy Hour Fundraiser
August 15
Support the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute while you mix and mingle at Blu Milwaukee, on the 23rd floor of the Pfister Hotel. Our celebrity "Blutenders" -- Community Advocates CEO Andi Elliott and PPI Deputy Director Kari Lerch -- will be serving up drinks to benefit the Institute. On
Tuesday, August 15
, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 10% of all drink proceeds and 100% of tips at Blu will be gifted to the Public Policy Institute. See you there!
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Youth Justice Milwaukee Coalition Meeting
Wednesday, July 12
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HEAL Program Returns
July 11-August 8
Progressive Community Health Centers is pleased to be partnering once again with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to offer the Healthy Eating Active Living program. The HEAL program will include topics such as healthy eating on a budget and simple exercise tips to help participants become and stay active.
Bi-weekly sessions will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Lisbon Avenue Health Center (3522 W. Lisbon Avenue) on July 11, July 25, and August 8 (one session has already been held). Healthy refreshments, prizes and giveaways will be offered at each session. Plus, those who attend at least three workshops will be entered into a raffle drawing for a $25 gift card.
This four-part workshop series is FREE and open to the community, but registration is required. To register, contact Kelli Rush at (414) 935-8000 ext. 296 or via email at
kelli.rush@progressivechc.org.
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Penfield Children's Center
Safety Day
Tuesday, July 18
Enjoy the family-friendly
Penfield Children's Center
Safety Day for parents, caregivers, and children up through the fifth grade. Don't miss the Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers, scheduled to appear from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Additional attractions include Penfield therapy dogs and pet safety; Milwaukee Fire Department's Survive Alive House and fire truck tour; Milwaukee Police Department's squad car, McGruff the Crime Dog, and mounted police; Kohl's Cares Grow Safe and Healthy mobile unit; and much more.
Location: Penfield Children's Center, 833 N. 26th St., Milwaukee; 26th Street between Kilbourn and Wells will be closed for the event. See you there between 9 and 11:30 a.m.
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The Parenting Network's Summer Classes
Cooperative Co-parenting: A three-hour court-approved class for parents going through divorce, separation, or annulment; held on Mondays, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., throughout the year; the next class will convene July 11. Fee is $45.
Strengthening Families: A family-friendly evening with a meal, activities, and conversations to bring adults and youth together; the seven-Tuesday schedule begins on July 11 through August 22 and will be held at the SOS Center, 4620 W. North Avenue. Space is limited.
Life Skills: For high school and college students facing transitions in their lives, such as graduation or relationships concerns; meets Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m.; Series II is offered July 13 and July 20 and Series III will be held on August 3 and 10.
Positive Parenting: An ongoing parenting class that covers nonviolent discipline, stress management, child development, understanding feelings, and family rules and communication; join the class anytime, but a referral is needed before registration. Meets Tuesdays 10 to 11:30 a.m. and Wednesdays 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Parenting Network, and on Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Josaphat Basilica Parish House, 2322 S. Seventh St.
Dad Matters 24/7: An ongoing group based on the 24/7 Dad curricula of the National Fatherhood Initiative. Meets Saturdays, 10-11:45 a.m.; materials fee is $30.
Triple-P Parent Coaching: One-on-one coaching for parents looking for support about how to handle a specific issue or parenting challenge. Free of charge.
Stewards of Children: Trainings are designed to prevent the sexual abuse of children. To schedule a two-and-a-half hour training at your organization, contact Patrick Fendt, 414-671-5575 ext. 30.
For details about programs, go to
theparentingnetwork.org. To register, call the Parent Helpline at 414-671-0566. All classes are held at The Parenting Network, 7516 W. Burleigh St., except where indicated.
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Youth Development Learning Community
Milwaukee is filled with impressive youth development programming, but direct service staffers don't often get to learn from one another. Please gather on July 11 to begin an ongoing Learning Community with other front line youth-serving staff. Both Out-of-School-Time and In-School-Time service providers are encouraged to attend this meeting.
T
he focus of the Learning Community will be driven by those who participate in the meetings. Some subject areas could include social-emotional learning practices, increasing youth engagement in programming, and applying practices of trauma-informed care. We hope you can join us at our first Learning Community so that you can connect with other professionals and enhance your skills!
Details: Tuesday, July 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Davis Boys & Girls Club, 1975 S. 24th St., Milwaukee. For more information and to register,
click here.
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QPR: Prevent a Suicide and
Give Hope to Others
July 19, August 2, September 13
Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee and PPI offer three opportunities to become a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Trained Gatekeeper. Trainings are free to PPI's Milwaukee Brighter Futures/PHAT grantees, MCSAP Coalition members, 53206 Drug-Free Community Coalition, Partnership for Success partners, and the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance.
Sessions will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 9 to 11 a.m.; Wednesday, August 2, 10 a.m. to noon; Wednesday, September 13, 10 a.m. to noon. All trainings to be held at Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St.
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ACLU of Wisconsin:
Communications Specialist
Help shape debate over civil liberties and civil rights in this time of historic challenges. The ACLU of Wisconsin, which has recently quadrupled its statewide membership, seeks a communications specialist to focus on managing traditional print and broadcast media relations, and to assist with online and other communication with ACLU supporters. For details, go to the
ACLU's website
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AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin:
Public Healthcare Leader:
Director of Prevention Services
The Public Healthcare Leader: Director of Prevention Services is responsible for providing leadership and direction to the Prevention Services Department throughout the State of Wisconsin. The position holds primary accountability for assuring integrated, innovative programing from a harm reduction perspective aimed at reducing new HIV infections, providing education, targeted testing for at-risk populations, and effectively linking clients to appropriate clinical services, including HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI care, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and substance abuse treatment. Additional responsibilities include development and administration of high quality programing for at-risk populations, program evaluation, grant development and management, budget oversight, and performance management, as well as community relations and partner collaborations. For the full job description, go to
Jobs That Serve.
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Safe & Sound:
Community Prosecution Unit Coordinator
The Community Prosecution Unit Coordinator (CPUC) serves as a liaison between
City of Milwaukee residents living in the assigned Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) districts and various law-enforcement, other government agencies, and the Assistant District Attorneys serving as Community Prosecutors in these neighborhoods. The CPUC's chief responsibility is to assist in the process of information gathering, organization and reporting leading to the abatement of Community Prosecution Unit reported nuisances, including drug, gang, prostitution, graffiti and other civil and criminal issues that arise in and around properties located within the assigned Milwaukee Police District. For details, go to
Jobs That Serve or
Safe & Sound's jobs page.
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Safe & Sound:
Community Program Organizer
Community Organizers are neighborhood mobilizers who conduct outreach and organize residents year round, listening to, and addressing, the individual concerns of residents. Organizers develop neighborhood-based initiatives, enhancing safety and positively impacting the community and improving overall quality of life for residents. The strategy is based on year-round outreach in Milwaukee's high-crime neighborhoods. Resident complaints may include drug, gang, prostitution, graffiti and other civil and criminal issues that arise in and around properties located within the assigned Safe & Sound sector(s). You'll find the full job listing on
Jobs That Serve or
Safe & Sound's jobs page.
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Community School Coordinator:
Journey House & Longfellow School
The Community School Coordinator will be employed by Journey House to work with Longfellow School as a part of the
Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership (United Way & Milwaukee Public Schools), a collective strategy to transform schools into a place where students, families, staff and the surrounding community can work together to ensure every student is successful. The Community School Coordinator is employed to initiate, align, and coordinate partnerships and to manage all community school activities, programs, and services implemented in partnership with students, families, staff and the community to meet the goals of the Community School Action Plan.
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