Communities that Care
Age appropriate support for youth, instead of new youth prisons
Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and recover from mistakes. When youth have access to the right resources, they are more likely to thrive and contribute to their communities.
But, for too long, policymakers have relied on costly incarceration systems that criminalize young people rather than addressing the challenges they face. These systems disproportionately harm Black and Native youth and divert resources away from the resources that help young people succeed.
Research shows that youth incarceration often increases the likelihood of future involvement with the justice system while disrupting education, family connections, and healthy development. Wisconsin continues to spend significant resources on youth arrests, court, probation, detention and prisons even though many young people would be better served through community-based treatment.
Wisconsin’s young people need support systems that expand opportunity, not pipelines to incarceration which criminalize them.
Decision makers should invest in age-appropriate, community-based services that help youth heal, learn, and thrive. This means matching youth with the right services based on their needs such as cognitive behavior therapy, restorative justice programs, credible messengers, family support services, and alternatives to incarceration that promote public safety and positive youth outcomes.
Learn more about supports for youth:
Healthy school meals for all kids and nutritious food families can afford
No child should be distracted by hunger when they are trying to learn, grow, and succeed. Every family deserves access to healthy, affordable food, and every child deserves the nutrition they need to thrive.
No child should be distracted by hunger when they are trying to learn, grow, and succeed. Every family deserves access to healthy, affordable food, and every child deserves the nutrition they need to thrive.
But the affordability crisis, fueled by a concentration of power and wealth among the wealthy few, has made it harder for families to afford groceries and healthy meals. Meanwhile, barriers and stigma can prevent children from getting the food they need, even in communities with abundant resources.
Too many Wisconsin families are struggling with food costs while wages and supports fail to keep pace. When children experience hunger or inconsistent access to nutritious food, it affects their health, learning, and long-term well-being. Families should not have to choose between paying bills and putting healthy meals on the table.
Decision makers should guarantee healthy school meals to all students at no cost and strengthen programs that help families afford groceries. Universal school meals reduce stigma, improve student health and academic outcomes, and ensure every child is ready to learn. Strong nutrition assistance programs, like FoodShare, help families meet their basic needs and strengthen local economies.