Frequently Asked Questions
Open AllClose All What is 2017 Wisconsin Act 185?
2017 Wisconsin Act 185 is the State mandate that Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls will be closed by January 1, 2021.
What is Project Rise?
Project Rise is a community-wide movement in Milwaukee that paves a positive future for youth in the justice system and creates safer neighborhoods for everyone. The youth justice reform initiatives are spearheaded by the Milwaukee County DHHS Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS).
How are Act 185 and Project Rise related?
Milwaukee County sees Act 185 as an opportunity to bring our youth back home. As part of this plan, Milwaukee County has proposed a new secure care center for youth with less-severe offenses. The youth secure care center is a critical piece of Milwaukee County's larger youth justice reform initiative. The new center will focus on education, treatment and skill building, restorative justice programming and reintegration of youth back into our communities and workforces.
How is the State’s plan different than the County’s?
The State Department of Corrections is planning to build Type I correctional facilities for youth who are in the Serious Juvenile Offender (SJO) Program. At least one facility will be located in Southeast Wisconsin.
The County is planning to build a new residential youth secure care center for youth who have committed less-severe offenses that will include programming and workforce training to help integrate our young people back into the community.
Why does the County want to build a new facility instead of using an existing facility?
There is no existing facility that meets the criteria for the youth secure care center location, or the existing facilities would cost more to renovate than to build new. The State is providing grant funding to help cover the cost of building a new center.
How does the youth secure care center fit into the Milwaukee County plan?
This center is part of the youth justice reform plan to offer a residential location with programming and rehabilitation services that will help individuals receive the needed treatment to heal and empower them to play meaningful and positive roles in our community.
What was the criteria used to evaluate the various site locations?
Locations were evaluated based on environmental safety, land availability, proximity to youths’ families, neighborhood resources and access to public transportation.
What type of youth will be living in this youth secure care center?
Youth who have committed offenses that qualify under the statute for placement in a youth correctional facility, but not youth committed to the Serious Juvenile Offender (SJO) Program.
How will a youth secure care center help youth, families, and neighborhoods get more access to resources?
As part of the Project Rise initiative, Milwaukee County continuously looks to partner with community-centered organizations, join local leadership councils and advocate for needed resources related to education, housing, local businesses, and public safety coordination. Keeping these youth and their families connected to community programs and resources close to home means our youth will be less likely to re-enter the system.
Get Involved
For this project to be successful, we have to make sure we are responsive to our community. Tell us what you hope to see, and what you are concerned about. See how you can get information, or contribute, below.