Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced on March 24 that the county has been awarded $1.8 million in grant funding from Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention to support suicide prevention, firearm storage, and evidence-based violence intervention and outreach programs. The Department of Health and Human Services will receive $238,729 for suicide prevention and firearm storage initiatives, as well as $1,573,082 for community violence intervention efforts. This funding is intended to support work through 2026.
The announcement comes as Milwaukee County continues efforts to enhance public safety by focusing on mental wellness and community collaboration. “Milwaukee County residents and families deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods,” said Crowley. “Thank you to Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention for these critical funds that will allow us to continue advancing public safety through violence prevention efforts in key areas where we’ve demonstrated encouraging progress. Together, let’s keep working to foster a safer, stronger, and healthier Milwaukee County.”
The county’s Department of Health and Human Services uses a system-wide approach known as the Community Violence Intervention Ecosystem—a network involving multiple partners who work together on gun violence prevention throughout Milwaukee County. Shakita LaGrant-McClain, Executive Director of DHHS, said: “Mental wellness and community safety are two key focus areas in our 2025 – 2027 strategic plan. This funding will have a tremendously positive impact on advancing the work in these areas… We will work closely with our community partners to implement proven models and national best practices in addressing community violence.”
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Oak Creek High School had the highest enrollment among Milwaukee County schools during the 2023-24 school year with 2,223 students; HAPA-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 followed with 1,894 students; Franklin High School was third at 1,606 students.
Demographic data show that Black students comprised about one-third (33%) or roughly 38,530 out of over 116,000 total students attending Milwaukee County schools during the same academic year; white students were the second largest group at about 29% (33,860), while Hispanic students represented approximately one-quarter (24.5%, or about 28,606) according to the same source. Multiracial students made up around 5.5% of enrolled pupils while Pacific Islander students were least represented at just over one-tenth percent.
The new statewide grant program received more than 460 applications from groups seeking funds for violence prevention initiatives across five categories—including school districts like those within Milwaukee County—prompting an additional $5 million federal allocation atop an initial $10 million commitment by Governor Evers.
