Public Policy Institute
Insights
|
|
Friends
--
This year has flown by! That happens when you're engaged in rewarding work with true allies. In 2019, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute's policy and prevention experts have developed unique ways to increase equity, health, and success throughout our community. As always, we appreciate your continued support and encouragement. Let's share a new year that strengthens our commitment to a better future.
Happy Holidays --
Kari Lerch
Deputy Director
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute
|
|
Celebrating a Successful 2019
|
|
In 2018, the Public Policy Institute celebrated our tenth anniversary. In 2019, we began building a successful second decade aimed at preventing and reducing factors that lead to poverty, such as barriers to work, substance abuse, unstable housing, and poor mental health. You can take a deep dive into our 2019 work with our
Policy Year in Review
and our
Prevention Year in Review
. Once again, thank you to all of our supporters and allies for making 2019 one to remember.
|
|
David Riemer Introduces His New Book
|
|
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute was thrilled to support our Founding Director and Senior Fellow David Riemer’s latest endeavor, the book
Putting Government in Its Place: The Case for a New Deal 3.0
, in which David argues that the New Deal Era is not dead. In fact, now is the perfect time to update it to address our current needs and disparities.
Despite terrible weather, David drew about 100 readers to his book launch and signing on November 6 at Boswell Book Company, a testament to his decades of innovative work and long-lasting friendships in our community. In addition, David did a mini-book tour on the East Coast and in November was named to the National Academy of Social Insurance’s new
Study Panel on Economic Security
. The panel is tasked with identifying options for modifying our current social insurance and social assistance programs to address our current economic challenges. Congratulations, David!
|
|
Let’s Talk about Changing the Alcohol Environment
|
|
Although opioid overdose and marijuana legalization grab headlines, the more common substance that’s being abused in Wisconsin is alcohol. In fact, according to
a new study
, Wisconsin ranks #2 in the nation for binge drinking, a preventable phenomenon that costs our state $4 billion annually.
That’s why two of PPI’s coalitions—the Southeast Region of the
Alliance for Wisconsin Youth
and the
Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition (MCSAP)
—brought two prevention experts to Milwaukee in October to provide a new perspective on problematic drinking. Rodney Wambeam of the University of Wyoming explained the role of alcohol in our culture, from the colonial days to today’s "wine moms" and "day drinking." Julia Sherman of the
Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project
explored what local advocates and policymakers can do to change their alcohol environment to prevent and reduce problematic drinking in local communities. If you missed their presentations, you can watch them on
PPI’s YouTube channel
.
|
|
Volunteers have collected almost 40,000 pieces of tobacco-related trash on Milwaukee beaches over the past decade—all of which threatens our water, parkways, kids, and wildlife. To create awareness of the harm posed by cigarette butts, wrappers, and filters, the
City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance
and partners launched the Hold On To Your Butt MKE campaign, with cigarette butt receptacles at four area beaches and other high-impact sites around town.
The campaign held a cleanup and
press conference
at Bradford Beach, which drew TV crews and a lot of support. The Hold On to Your Butt MKE campaign is funded by the Fund for Lake Michigan, convened by the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance, and supported by community partners including Milwaukee County Parks, Surfrider Milwaukee, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Plastic Free MKE, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and the Bay View Neighborhood Association. To keep in touch with the campaign,
like it on Facebook
.
|
|
COLE’s Youth & Young Adult Resource Fair
|
|
The
Coalition on Lead Emergency (COLE)’s
workforce development committee organized a Youth & Young Adult Resource Fair on December 7 to allow young people ages 16 to 24 to learn about educational and career opportunities available to them.
The committee, made up of members of Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, Milwaukee Water Commons, and Sherman Park Community Association, drew a host of agencies, including America Works of Wisconsin, AmeriCorps, Career Pathways at MATC, Employ Milwaukee, Covering Wisconsin, Earn & Learn, Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, MPS Youth Apprenticeship Program, Public Allies Milwaukee, and Volunteers of America.
"Young people are interested in getting a head start on their career and education, but they say that they aren’t aware of all of the opportunities available to them in Milwaukee," said Terri Irving, Public Policy Associate at PPI. "We created this resource fair so they can get information, meet with organizations that are actively looking for new participants, and begin creating a foundation for a good career."
Look for similar events in 2020 so that the youth in our community are making the most of their time and talents.
|
|
Community Advocates
2019 Board of Directors
|
|
Leadership
President: Sheree Dallas Branch | The Salvation Army
Vice President: Jodi Wire | We Energies
Treasurer: Sandra Samse | Johnson Keland Management
Secretary: Bryan House | Foley & Lardner, LLP
Board Members
Marquette Baylor | Aurora Health Care
Anne DeLeo | Community Volunteer
Valerie Gabriel | Community Volunteer
Dr. Stephen Hargarten | Medical College of Wisconsin
Erin Henry | Northwestern Mutual
Betsy Hoylman | Northwestern Mutual
Gary Ingram | Igary Events
Moriah Iverson | Medical College of Wisconsin
Sharon Jordan | Direct Supply
Pamela Klein | Fresh Coast Partners, LLC
Jim Liedtke | Community Volunteer
Kate Venne | Brady Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
