As the Community Action Agency for Milwaukee County since 1964, the SDC is a recipient of Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding. The purpose of CSBG funding is to empower people and communities to overcome the effects of poverty and to support their progress toward greater self-sufficiency. Wisconsin’s CSBG-funded agencies have historically and consistently participated in formal needs assessment processes, which include a comprehensive, triennial needs assessment and two needs assessment updates.
In 2011, the CR-SDC partnered with the UWM-CUIR and conducted a scaled-down study of poverty in Milwaukee. The present study focused on four areas:
To obtain quantitative and qualitative data on these areas, the SDC and UWM-CUIR e-mailed an internet-based questionnaire to three study populations including Key Stakeholders, SDC Commissioners, and SDC Staff.
The quantitative and qualitative data resulting from the needs assessment will be used by the SDC Board of Commissioners and SDC staff to strategically guide the SDC’s programming initiatives and to develop advocacy efforts in order to best meet the needs of Milwaukee’s low-income community.
The reports below consist of the findings resulting from this research.
Perspectives on Poverty in Milwaukee County
Perspectives on Poverty in Milwaukee - Key Stakeholders
Perspectives on Poverty in Milwaukee - CR-SDC Staff
The complete results from the SDC’s 2010 CSBG Needs Assessment can be found at
http://www.cr-sdc.org/About/PolicyResearch/2010CSBGNeedsAssessment.htm.