Community Advocates' leadership created the Public Policy Institute in 2008 to address the root causes of poverty through policy advocacy and community collaboration on economic and public health issues.
Community Advocates' leadership created the Public Policy Institute in 2008 to address the root causes of poverty through policy advocacy and community collaboration on economic and public health issues.
Our projects seek to empower low-income communities in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin by developing nonpartisan public policy, building community coalitions, and preventing the root causes of poverty before they cause harm to individuals, families, and the community.
We are building the technical expertise of local human services professionals and interested community members through a variety of training opportunities focused on substance abuse, mental health, and coalition building.
Our calendar is full of training opportunities, coalition meetings, conversations, and outreach events.
We want to hear from you! Connect with us anytime and join our community, request a speaker, ask for resources, or learn more about our work.
Help us engage with the community on policy and prevention projects. Become a PPI Member today!
Being a kid is hard. Growing up means navigating a world of big emotions, challenges, and changes, often without the tools to understand or manage them. Many young people face emotional crises but don’t always have the resources or support to cope in a healthy way. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, stress from school, or struggles at home, these feelings can become overwhelming. That’s why Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is such a critical program – it equips adults with the knowledge and skills to support young people in need.
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute’s Stronger Families Milwaukee program has just completed three years of the five-year prevention initiative. The service was developed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, and has achieved great success within Community Advocates.
We are highlighting Stronger Families Milwaukee in conjunction with observing April as Family Strengthening Month in Wisconsin. This year, we are especially inspired by Governor Evers’ proclamation of 2025 as the “Year of the Kid,” reinforcing a statewide commitment to bolstering youth mental health, supporting the childcare industry, and prioritizing the well-being of children and families.
Community Advocates’ Milwaukee Property Tax Appeals Project draws on Professor Bernadette Atuahene's scholarship and leadership, to the benefit of many struggling Milwaukee homeowners.
