Economic stability is one of the more important determinants of a child’s well-being. We believe making sure families have the supports they need to work for livable wages and climb out of poverty is one of the biggest keys to improving the lives of children.
A week has passed since the death of Sylville Smith in Sherman Park. I am in no position to comment on the details of the events that led to his killing, or its aftermath. But I do think it is imperative that we see these tragic events within a larger context, a context that extends beyond the north side of Milwaukee, to the state of...
In Part 1 of this blog, we described the data on suspensions and expulsion by race/ethnicity in the United States. But, what about Wisconsin? Unfortunately, rates of suspensions and expulsions in Wisconsin are more disparate than they are nationally. According to 2013-14 data from the Department of Public Instruction: Only about 4% of...
Last week the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) took an important step in recognizing the tremendous impact of child poverty and other social determinants of health in child development. They also recognized the critical role pediatricians can and should play in identifying and helping to address the needs of patients impacted by...
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on Wisconsin poverty rates shows that the number of Wisconsin residents living in poverty averaged 13% across the 2010-2014 post-recession time frame — the highest since 1984, according to the analysis by UW-Madison's Applied Population Laboratory. But for children, it’s even worse. Nearly one in...
As the Assembly wrapped up its work last Thursday, it passed a measure that could significantly change public benefit programs in Wisconsin. That might be positive or negative – depending on how two state agencies respond to the open-ended directive to develop changes. The proposal in question, Assembly Joint Resolution 109, is very...
Your address helps us identify your legislators and the most relevant messages to send you.