The City of Madison Finance Committee voted unanimously on Dec. 1 to fund 24 agencies and 32 programs that provide crisis intervention and prevention services, approving Legistar 90,563 to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Yolanda Shelton Morris, community resources manager in the Community Development Division, told the committee the division’s recommendation would allocate a little over $2,000,000 and includes 10 new programs entering the crisis portfolio. "Fifteen of the agencies we are recommending are led by and serve people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ residents and other marginalized communities," she said, describing the recommendations as equity‑centered investments shaped by site visits, a community voice survey and input from schools, public health, police and county human services.

Worker Justice Wisconsin’s interim executive director, Robert Crystal, addressed the committee as a registrant in support of the funding. He described plans, developed with Voces de la Frontera, to establish an institute of workshops and leadership development for low‑wage and immigrant workers and said the organizations appreciate the city’s consideration.

Committee members pressed staff for details about youth programming, measurable outcomes and how the city will monitor contract performance. Morris said youth‑focused, place‑based programs recommended for funding include organizations such as Allied Wellness Center for Community Development, Bayview Community Center, Briarpatch, East Madison Community Center, GSAFE, Kennedy Heights Community Center, the Literacy Network, Lucia Community Center, Mentoring Positives, Neighborhood House Community Center, Worker Justice Wisconsin, YWCA Madison and the African Center for Community Development. "We track outcomes by way of quarterly progress reports, annual outcomes reports and on‑site visits," Morris said, adding that contract negotiations will set the specific deliverables and reporting expectations.

Alder questions about whether agencies could meet performance measures prompted staff to say the community resources unit will work with providers during contract negotiations to set realistic deliverables and supports; staff also said they would convene funded providers with the Madison Police Department and school partners to coordinate place‑based youth strategies.

The committee recorded no objections and approved the funding recommendation unanimously.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract negotiations with selected agencies and report back through the standard quarterly and annual reporting process.