Milwaukee County Credible Messengers Program Delivers Results in Supporting Youth and Enhancing Public Safety
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are highlighting the continued success of the Credible Messengers Program through the recently-released 2023 Impact Report. Since its inception in 2020, this innovative multi-disciplinary approach has made significant strides in improving public safety and supporting Milwaukee County youth involved in the justice system or referred by community partners through expanding mentorship, resources, and job opportunities.
In 2023, the Credible Messengers Program served 130 youth, including 76 referrals from Milwaukee County Children, Youth, and Family Services (CYFS) and 54 from community partners. Outcomes have shown that 78% of those served in 2023 had no new offenses while involved with the program, consistent with the program’s pilot evaluation results in 2021. The outcomes were higher for non-justice involved youth referred by community partners, at 87% with no new offenses or system involvement.
“Since 2020, the Credible Messengers Program has made a tremendous impact on at-risk youth in Milwaukee. By providing crucial support and mentorship, this program transforms lives, strengthens families, and enhances community safety,” said Kelly Pethke, Children, Youth and Family Services Administrator at Milwaukee County DHHS. “This program highlights the powerful outcomes that result from dedicated community collaboration.”
The continued success of the Credible Messengers Program was expanded in 2023 with a team focused on girls, a housing navigator for youth and families in crisis, the Milwaukee County Trauma Response Team to provide mental health support, and additional behavioral health resources.
In 2024, Milwaukee County is expanding this effort with the addition of the Advance Peace Model, a leading evidence-based violence prevention effort for young people involved in firearm offenses by placing them in a high-touch, personalized peacemaker fellowship.
The success of the Credible Messengers Program underscores the value of community-based approaches in creating safer, more supportive environments for Milwaukee’s youth.
The full report is available HERE. More information on the Credible Messengers Program is available HERE.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by County Executive David Crowley
Milwaukee County Releases 2024 Annual Report on American Rescue Plan Act Projects
Aug 9th, 2024 by County Executive David CrowleyThe annual report highlights progress and impacts to date of ARPA-funded initiatives
County Executive David Crowley Announces $67 Million Eliminated in Birth Costs to Support Fathers
Aug 7th, 2024 by County Executive David CrowleyResearch conducted by the UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty supports ending birth cost recovery