Projects

Project Overview: Milwaukee County is one of six U.S. jurisdictions selected by the CFE Fund for the prestigious CityStart initiative.

Through the CityStart initiative, Milwaukee County will receive intensive technical assistance and a $100,000 planning grant via the Office of Equity for its Economic Empowerment Blueprint. The CFE Fund will partner with OOE to help craft this innovative, actionable plan tailored to local needs and to foster financial stability across generations. The grant aligns with OOE’s efforts to expand access to financial resources and wealth-building opportunities for populations historically discriminated against and in underinvested neighborhoods. OOE’s Economic Empowerment Blueprint will support County Executive Crowley’s policy agenda priorities of health, economic development, and public safety.

Milwaukee County is part of the seventh CityStart cohort, along with Kansas City, MO; Memphis, TN; Savannah, GA; Springfield, MA; and St. Petersburg, FL. Each city and county was chosen through a competitive process.

Goals and Impact:

• Identify actionable steps to launch government-led financial empowerment efforts, reflecting insights from diverse local stakeholders, prioritizing racial wealth equity, and enhancing resident financial stability. 

Key Activities:

• Research
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Interviews
  • Internal Workgroup
  • Stakeholder Roundtables
  • External Engagement
• Community Engagement
• Prioritizing target areas and drafting blueprint
• Release blueprint and integrate strategies

Timeline: 

• January 2025: Milwaukee was selected to receive the grant
• March 2025: Project implementation starts
• April – August 2025: Stakeholder Engagement
• August – December 2025: Community Engagement
• January –  August 2026: Drafting Blueprint
• September – December 2026: Integrate Blueprint into County operations

Progress Updates:

• Internal working group has been created for project
• Currently scheduling stakeholder engagement meetings 

How to get Involved: 

• Sign up for communications from OOE to stay up to date on the project and for invites to community listening sessions!

Contact Information: 

• For further inquiries, please contact our Senior Program Manager on African American Affairs, Rick Banks ([email protected])

Project Overview: OOE is leading efforts to enage QPOC communities in Milwaukee County through community based approaches such as focus groups discussing challenges and opportunities within their communities. Additionally, OOE will perform an environmental scan of county services being offered internally and externally to gather more insight on what is available to LGBTQIA+/QPOC residents in Milwaukee County.

Goals and Impact:

• To partner with community members to understand the needs and preferences to advance health equity for Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ communities in Milwaukee County.
• Integrate best practice frameworks that address racism and promote health equity across Milwaukee County.
• Examine findings, outcomes, and initial efficacy to increase civic trust & community engagement to help inform OOE on future decision making  

Key Activities: 

• Integrate best practice frameworks that address racism and promote health equity across Milwaukee County
  • ITT Model, OOE Community Engagement Continuum
• Implement strategies (Focus Groups & Qualitative Interviews) to increase civic trust and community connectiveness with system partners and resident-based leaders.
• Post listening sessions to share findings.

Timeline: 

• Began in Spring 2024
• Target end date of Winter 2025

Progress Updates:

• Established a partnership with Ubuntu Research and Evaluation to provide best practices for engaging LGBTQIA+ populations and community partners who provide county services to LGBTQIA+ populations.

How to get Involved:

• Sign up for reminders from OOE to receive invitations for focus groups and listening sessions you may be eligible to participate in!

Contact Information: 

• For all enquiries relating to these tools, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Ricardo Wynn ([email protected])

Project Overview: We Care Crew was established in response to the COVID Health crisis and was focused on improving the economic and health outcomes of Milwaukee County Residents through direct service efforts such as public health education opportunities and giveaways.

Goals and Impact: 

• Provide safe community based programming
• Increase direct community access to resources that advance the social determinants of health 
• Increase opportunities for community and law enforcement to interact in a positive environment 

Key Activities: 

• Easter Jamboree
• 414Trust Kickball Tournament
• Back-To-School Festival 
• Make a Family Smile Turkey Giveaway
• Breakfast with Santa 

Timeline:

• Was established on June 16th, 2020
• Events are currently paused while stakeholders meet to decide the next best focus for We Care Crew

Progress Updates:

• Over 1,000 individuals served since April 2020

How to get Involved:

• Sign up for reminders from OOE to learn about the next event!

Contact Information:

• For all enquiries relating to this project, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Ricardo Wynn ([email protected])

Program Overview: OOE uses its community engagement frameworks and tools to help shape branding and service, and connect and collaborate with Milwaukee County residents. Focus groups are the community engagement tools we use to gain insight into issues and needs that affect their well-being.  

Goals and Impact: 

• Gather qualitative data to guide OOE's approach to connecting with the community.
• Learn about the experiences of residents, including their access to services, and inform OOE strategy to remove barriers and improve services.
• Inform the public about the Office of Equity's change from the Office on African American Affairs and its expanded focus on other demographics such as age, religion, sexual orientation, criminal history, etc.
• Serve as a bridge between the residents of Milwaukee County and their Government.

Key Activities: 

• Hosting periodic focus groups to gather community feedback and respond to the needs of Milwaukee County residents. The most recent sessions occured in March 2025.
• OOE published the Community Engagement Toolkit to guide County Departments and community organizations in having meaningful and inclusive engagement opportunities. 

Timeline:  

• Ongoing: To advance the County Executive's strategic plan, the Office of Equity is committed to actively engaging community voices, ensuring a strong connection between Milwaukee County residents and their government. Through inclusive dialogue and meaningful collaboration, we strive to build a more responsive, transparent, and united community.

Progress Updates: 

• Recently assisted DHHS and Parks in collecting vital public opinions on the proposed senior center construction in McGovern Park. 
• Currently coordinating all Milwaukee County Departments' participation in the Juneteenth celebration.

How to get Involved:  

• Sign up for updates from the Office of Equity to stay up to date on engagement opportunities!

Contact Information: 

• For all enquiries relating to this project, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Ricardo Wynn ([email protected])

Project Overview:

Through OOE’s efforts, we aim to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of Milwaukee County workers by building organizational capacity, improving technical skills, and fostering strategic partnerships. This program aims to advance equity initiatives, increase community engagement strategies, improve data-driven decision-making, and create a more inclusive organizational culture. Additionally, OOE's self service tools also benefit community members looking to implement more equitable practices into their work and/or daily lives. 

Goals and Impact: 

• Enhanced Organizational Capability: Improved systems, processes, and staff skills to support equity efforts effectively.
• Increased Data-Driven Decision Making: More accurate and actionable insights from enhanced data collection and analysis.
• Stronger Community Relationships: Improved collaboration with community stakeholders and organizations.
• Effective Equity Programs: Successful implementation of equity strategies that address community needs.
• Positive Organizational Culture: A more inclusive and equitable organizational culture.
• Sustainable Funding: Secure and diversified funding sources to support long-term equity goals.

Key Activities: 

• Created the Community Engagement Impact Planner
• Created the Health and Racial Equity Accelerator 
• Created the Racial Equity Budget Toolkit for use within Milwaukee County Departments

Timeline:  

• Ongoing: OOE is dedicated to advancing equity by developing innovative self-service tools that empower county departments and community organizations. Through accessible and user-friendly solutions, we strive to remove barriers, enhance efficiency, and support organizations in their efforts to foster fairness and inclusivity across Milwaukee County.

Progress Updates: 

• The Racial Equity Budget Toolkit launched May 2025

How to get Involved:  

• Visit OOE's website to utilize our self-service tools!

Contact Information: 

• For all enquiries relating to these tools, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Ricardo Wynn ([email protected])

Project Overview: Birth to 3 provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers (ages 0–3) with development delays or disabilities. These services are designed to support children’s growth and development while equipping families with the tools they need to help their child thrive. The program is an entitlement meaning that all eligible children can and will be served even if adequate state and federal dollars are not sufficient to support these services. This places a significant financial burden on Wisconsin counties.

OOE partnered with DHHS to assess state policy impacts on families with children with disabilities, helping advocate for changes to state funding formulas through the Birth to 3 program. 

The data that is cited throughout the report originates from the diligent work of the measurement and evaluation team within Milwaukee County DHHS as well as the Human Rights and Advocacy Fellow at OOE. As a result of this work, a focus group was held involving families whose children are receiving Birth to 3 services to better understand the barriers preventing them from accessing healthcare appointments and suggestions for improving service delivery. 

Goals and Impact:  

• To champion access to high-quality early intervention services for every eligible Wisconsin infant and toddler, ensuring their future success while fostering the long-term sustainability of the Birth to 3 Program through collaborative partnerships. 
• Proposed recommendations to changing policy around the Birth to 3 program such as:
  • Establishing a dedicated State Department of Health Services (DHS) liaison to optimize Medicaid reimbursement
  • Pursuing a state plan amendment to include special education services
  • Increasing state funding by $10 million annually starting in calendar year 2026

Key Activities: 

• Created working groups with counties and municipalities accross the state to better understand the problems faced by all Wisconsin residents.
• Partnered with several community organizations including Penfield Children's Center, Curative Care Network, and St. Francis Children's Center. 

Timeline:  

• OOE research began in June 2024
• Research ended October 2024
• Final report published in January 2025
• Website launched February 2025

Progress Updates: 

• OOE's contributions to the project concluded early 2025, but the Birth to 3 program is still in operation. Visit the Birth to 3 website to learn more!

How to get Involved:  

• Visit the Birth to 3 website to take action! Here you can join the coalition, contact your legislators, and share your story!

Contact Information: 

• Visit the Birth to 3 website and use the "Contact Us" section to share any general comments or ask any questions you may have!

Project Overview: The Racial Equity survey gathered feedback directly from Milwaukee County government employees about their understanding, perceptions, and attitudes toward the collective efforts of the County to improve racial equity within the organization and throughout Milwaukee County. “Employee Perspective” is one of the five three-year objectives in the strategic plan and focuses on the active engagement of County employees. Thousands of County employees directly serve residents each day and as such their perspectives must support conversations on improving County policies, programming, and practices.

Goals and Impact: 

• Collected vital data from County employees surrounding
  • Personal Experiences and Self-Reflection
  • Experiences within the Employee’s Department
  • Experiences within Milwaukee County government as a whole
• Collecting this data allowed leaders to: 
  • Recognize the good work accomplished to date
  • Develop tools, resources, and training to support employees to successfully advance racial equity in their work at Milwaukee County
  • Develop tools, resources, and training to create a safe and inclusive work environment for all Milwaukee County employees
  • Provide baseline data for County leaders to understand employee perspectives of racial equity

Key Activities: 

• Partnered with Studer Education to administer the survey
• 1,593 employees provided feedback 
• Survey results impacted the County's decision to update the Office on African American Affairs (OAAA) to the Office of Equity (OOE)

Timeline:  

• Survey was sent out Spring 2020
• Results were published in August of 2020

Progress Updates: 

• Work for this project has been completed. 

Contact Information: 

• For all enquiries relating to this project, please contact our Senior Program Manager of African American Affairs, Rick Banks ([email protected])

Project Overview: In partnership with Human Resources, Department of Administrative Services, and others, OOE reviewed 373 policies, identifying opportunities to modernize for inclusivity and efficiency. 

Goals and Impact: 

• Milwaukee County underwent a 500% increase in Black/African American director level hires between 2017 and 2023

Key Activities: 

• Redrafted Milwaukee County Government Ordinance §9.03 on financial disclosures to be more equitable and transparent.
• Collaboration with Human Resources implementing hiring proccesses that encouraged more diverse hiring and a reduction in bias.

Timeline: 

• Ongoing: As a primary function of the office, OOE is committed to advancing equity through the ongoing review of county policies, ensuring they promote fairness, inclusivity, and access for all community members. 

Progress Updates: 

How to get Involved:  

• Share your thoughts for changing county policy at County Board meetings 
• Apply for Jobs with Milwaukee County!

Contact Information: 

• For all enquiries relating to OOE's county policy review process, please contact our Communications Manager Jackie Zeledon ([email protected])

Project Overview: Through extensive analysis of Milwaukee County bylaws and ordinances, OOE proposed the idea of reimanging the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and rewrote the County Ordinance that created the commission to be more inclusive and effective for Milwaukee County Residents. 

The HRC's primary purpose is to address equal rights violations relating to things such as race, gender, religion, and other protected characteristics.

Goals and Impact: 

• Strengthen understanding and respect among people of different religions, cultures, and racial backgrounds in the community.
• Help citizens recognize their responsibilities in a busy, modern city.
• Promote pride and unity by supporting educational programs, community activities, and cultural events that celebrate the county’s diverse backgrounds and talents.
• Ensure people are aware of their legal rights and the government and private resources available to support seniors, youth, those in need, and individuals with disabilities.
• Track and protect the county’s skills and talents, recommending ways to strengthen and improve these valuable human resources.
• Educate residents about their rights related to property ownership, insurance, finances, and employment.
• Advocate for laws and regulations that protect consumers and ensure the quality of goods and services.

Key Activities: 

• Revised 30+ year old language to acknoledge social changes and progress
• Removed functions that were out of scope for the HRC
• Revised HRC's duties and powers to better align with Milwaukee County's mission and vision
• Changed focus to engaging, educating, and building power in the community to help the county achieve racial equity.​
• Created Guiding priciples to support the execution of HRC work
• Formally established the relationship between the HRC and the Office of Equity

Timeline:  

• June 2024- Research for the project began 
• August 2024- Proposed changes were presented to the County Board of Supervisors

Progress Updates: 

• Human Rights Commission meetings are currently paused until further notice.

How to get Involved:  

• Once meetings have restarted, attend them to stay up to date on activities and to raise any concerns you may have!

Contact Information: 

• For all questions, please contact the Human Rights Commission directly ([email protected])