Equitable policymaking

Health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic led to creative changes in youth justice practice and a significant reduction in Wisconsin’s youth justice population.

Expanding the coverage and quality of internet services remains an important challenge throughout Wisconsin. The Broadband Expansion Grant Program, managed by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, aims to assist in the development of internet services in “unserved” and “underserved” areas of the state by awarding grants to fund the building of new broadband infrastructure. This report evaluates the grant program by analyzing feedback from past grant applicants and recipients and by examining program data against American Community Survey data. Several recommendations to increase the equity and effectiveness of the grant program are provided.

Guardians ad Litem (GALs) are attorneys who play a critical role in the family court system by representing the best interests of children while providing a recommendation for custody and placement. Though GALs are required to investigate for domestic abuse in every case, survivors and advocates sometimes find that a thorough investigation was not completed. Our goal is to investigate the barriers GALs face in implementing best practices concerning domestic abuse. This report analyzes data collected through surveys of stakeholders, as well as 25 interviews conducted in select counties. Our analysis shows that GALs face distinct barriers to their practice and to addressing domestic abuse. These fell under five main categories: payments and payment systems, resources, training, uniformity, and pro se representation (or self-representation). We provide seven prioritized recommendations to address these issues through increased county responsibility and shared services, expanded training opportunities for family court professionals, and greater statewide oversight.