Milwaukee’s Community Development Block Grant: Connecting Youth Services and Economic Development Nina Carlson Julie Fitzgerald Kevin Murphy Bethany Shore Prepared for the City of Milwaukee, Budget and Management Division, Department of Administration

Introduction Framing the issue: Problems facing Milwaukee youth CDGA allocates almost $2 million each year in federal CDBG funding to Youth Services

Purpose Research Tasks: Methods Determine the effectiveness of Youth Services grants Explore the possibility of better linking Youth Services programming to economic development Methods

Table 1: Carnegie Youth Characteristics and Corresponding CDGA Program Categories Carnegie Council Youth Characteristics Corresponding Program Category Intellectually reflective Education Healthy/Caring and ethical individual Crime prevention/personal development Good citizen Civic Engagement En route to meaningful work Economic Development Healthy Recreation

CDGA-sponsored youth programming by category Program Category # of Programs Crime Prevention/Personal Development 20 Civic Engagement 8 Recreation 7 Education 4 Economic Development

Research Question 1 Overview Are CDGA Youth Services grants effective? Literature review on the general effectiveness of youth programming Analysis of CDGA performance files

Do Youth Programs Benefit Young People and Their Community? According to academic research, they do. Examples: Education  Boost GPAs and school attendance Rec & Crime Prevention  Lower anti-social behaviors Civic Engagement  Improve concern for others’ welfare; improve work ethic The Benefits Last

CDGA’s Reporting & Monitoring System The beginnings of a successful performance measurement system Outcome identification Outcome tracking

Best Practices in Performance Measurement: How do grantees perform? Outcome measurement Struggle to distinguish between outputs and outcomes Data sources Some fail to use an adequate data source to measure outcomes Signs of success

Reporting and Monitoring Systems Recommendations Mandatory Grantee Training Session Strengthen Grantee Reporting Requirements Implement a More Interactive Monitoring System

Research Question 2 Overview How can Milwaukee link Youth Services programming to economic development? HUD definition of economic development Creating and maintaining jobs

Evaluation of Programming for Youth Type of Programming Outcomes Early Intervention -Higher rates of return -Improves capacity for future learning School Age -Increases attendance and graduation rates -Lowers incidence of risky behavior Preparation for Post-Secondary Education -Develops personal qualities necessary for post-secondary success Economic and Workforce Development -Develops soft and job-specific skills -Positive short-term effects -Limited long-term employment and wage effects

Policy Options Focus on Job Training Focus on Post-Secondary Education Status Quo

Research Question 2 Recommendations Take a broader perspective on economic development Expanded definition of economic development Services that encourage post-secondary opportunities for youth, teach marketable job skills, provide workforce or higher education training for young adults, or encourage productive citizenship Maintain current mix of programming

Conclusion