Commissioners working on youth homelessness resolutions; staffing and budget implications raised

During the May 7 open forum the Milwaukee County Youth Commission’s Community Engagement and Racial Justice Committee heard an update on draft resolutions addressing youth homelessness and discussed next steps and resource implications.

Commissioner Bridal said three drafts had been condensed into two resolutions: one would request that County Executive David Crowley "declare actions" to focus attention and resources on youth homelessness; the other would request that the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and its Health and Human Equity Needs Committee ask county departments to develop a yearly action plan and a representative action committee that includes department representatives and the Youth Commission.

Bridal said staff time and budgeting emerged as concerns when the proposals were first discussed: establishing an additional action committee or annual work plan could require dedicated staff time or budgeted resources. "Staff time and budgeting was the big thing that kinda came out of that," Bridal said, and commissioners noted that any staffing or funding needs would have to be addressed through the county budgeting process if required.

Bridal said he would seek co-sponsors among commissioners as the drafts are revised. No formal motion or vote on the resolutions occurred during the meeting; the discussion was in open forum and intended to solicit commissioner feedback ahead of drafting final language.

Separately, staff relayed a request from Supervisor Vincent about a planned "ice bucket" awareness event related to mental-health stigma slated for 5 p.m. the next day outside the courthouse (the information came from a news release shared via email). Commissioners noted the national trend appeared to be declining but observed May is Mental Health Awareness Month; staff said they would follow up with Supervisor Vincent for specifics on how the Youth Commission might participate.