Protect Children

Every child in Wisconsin, regardless of race or place, deserves a stable foundation and a chance to prosper. Yet, the rich few try to pit our families against each other based on what we look like. By pushing racist narratives, they attempt to distract us as they hoard wealth and funnel money out of our communities and into their pockets. As a result, Wisconsin has become one of the most deeply segregated and inequitable places in the country for young people of color to live.

We need to address the root causes of these inequities and remove the barriers, created by the wealthy few, that hold youth back from living a safe and happy life.

How can decisionmakers start to protect children in Wisconsin?

  • Oppose the Department of Corrections’ request to double the daily rate for youth incarceration in Wisconsin’s youth facilities (from $1268 to over $2300 a day). 
  • End the practice of sentencing juveniles to life without parole.
  • Eliminate all youth justice fines and fees.
  • “Raise the Minimum Age” of juvenile jurisdiction from 10 to at least 14.
  • “Raise the Age” of juvenile jurisdiction from 17 to at least 18.  
  • Invest in community-based alternatives to incarceration rather than building new youth prisons. 

Reclaim. Rebuild. Reimagine.

Join us to unrig the rules that benefit the wealthy few. View our full policy agenda.

Reimagine Wisconsin with Us

Eliminating Fines & Fees for Justice-involved Youth

Learning that your child has gotten in trouble with the law is one of the most difficult and stressful times in a parent or guardian’s life. But in Wisconsin, courts can make matters worse by charging families thousands of dollars, sometimes even garnishing tax returns or wages if families can’t pay.

Not only does this contribute to the cycle of poverty and racial inequity, it also increases chances of recidivism and the cycle of incarceration for these youth. With the Wisconsin Debt Free Justice Coalition, we are working to eliminate the fines and fees that stretch families beyond their means during an already difficult time.

Wisconsin Debt Free Justice Coalition Members include ACLU of Wisconsin, National Center for Youth Law, Juvenile Law Center and Kids Forward.

Raise the Age

Every child in Wisconsin deserves the opportunity for rehabilitation, restoration, cognitive development support, and mental health services. Yet, Wisconsin is one of just three remaining states that still charges all 17-year-olds as adults in our justice system – no matter the alleged offense. When we force children into prisons with adults, they’re significantly more likely to become victims of abuse, and much less likely to receive the mental health support they need, becoming more prone to recidivate. 

Wisconsin can do better than this.

While significant youth justice reform is needed, we can start by raising the age at which youth are treated as adults from 17 to at least 18. Kids Forward is calling on lawmakers in Wisconsin to Raise the Age from 17 to at least 18. Find your legislator and ask them to raise the age at which young people are treated as adults from 17 to at least 18. Learn more about the coalition below, or contact us to learn more.

Learn more about the Raise the Age Coalition
Contact Carte'cia

People who have DACA Status can now Enroll in a Health Insurance Plan on healthcare.gov

Everyone, regardless of immigration status or income, deserves health care. But, too many of our family members, friends, and neighbors do not have access to the basic health care that they need. As of November 1, 2024, DACA recipients became eligible for health...

DACA Recipients in Wisconsin

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is one of the most impactful policies for immigrant children and families, especially in Wisconsin.

Supporting Dreamers 

In 2012, President Obama signed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) into law. This temporarily shielded some immigrant children brought to the US before the age of 16—also known as Dreamers—from deportation and changed their lives. In Wisconsin, there are more than 5,000 DACA recipients (as of June 2024) and about 10,000 people who are eligible.

But, DACA only provides two-year renewable protection with temporary work authorization, not a path to citizenship. Unfortunately as a result, too many young people continue to live with fear and uncertainty while DACA remains under attack in courts and Congress. Kids Forward advocates for the protection of all immigrant families, including Dreamers and DACA recipients through contextualizing research and analysis.

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Treating Youthful Offenders as Youth Benefits Everyone

Mar 8, 2012

The January 31 Wisconsin State Journal story about Dane County Judge Juan Colás’ decision to keep 16-year-old Devante James in the adult court system illustrates one of the greatest injustices created by the legislature when changes were made to the juvenile code in...

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