Number
231925
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
210894
Sponsor
ALD. DIMITRIJEVIC, BROSTOFF, MOORE, JACKSON, PEREZ, AND BAUMAN
Title
Substitute resolution relating to participation in the Zilber Family Foundation’s The Bridge Project and appropriating funds for that purpose.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes City participation in the Zilber Family Foundation’s The Bridge Project, which provides monthly stipends to pregnant women. This file also provides $350,000 of funding from the Housing Trust Fund’s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act to support the 3-year project.
Body
Whereas, Milwaukee has the second-highest child poverty rate among the 50 most populated cities in the United States, with approximately 26.4% of children living below the poverty line; and
Whereas, Leading economists agree that early interventions in children’s well-being have the highest rate of return on investment; and
Whereas, Providing support during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life can break intergenerational cycles of toxic stress and poverty; and
Whereas, Studies show that providing unconditional cash transfer payments during pregnancy reduces the prevalence of low birth weight, increases prenatal care, and improves maternal health outcomes; and
Whereas, In April, 2024, the Zilber Family Foundation, a private grant-making institution based in Milwaukee, launched The Bridge Project, Milwaukee’s first unconditional cash program for low-income pregnant individuals, which, at current funding levels, will provide support for 100 eligible individuals for 2 years; and
Whereas, Program participants will receive a $1,125 one-time, upfront prenatal stipend, a monthly payment of $750 for the first 15 months, and $375 per month for the remaining nine months; and
Whereas, According to the eligibility criteria established by the Zilber Family Foundation and The Bridge Project for this pilot program, an eligible individual must be 18 years of age or older, 23 weeks pregnant or less, have an annual household income of less than $39,000, and live in the city’s 53204, 53205, 53206, or 53215 ZIP codes, with priority given to residents of the Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, and Layton Boulevard West neighborhoods; and
Whereas, The eligible ZIP codes for this pilot project encompass the neighborhoods that are the focus of the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative’s anti-poverty efforts and include some of Milwaukee’s most challenged communities in terms of infant and maternal health; and
Whereas, The Zilber Family Foundation began accepting applications for the program on April 10, 2024, and began making payments in June 2024; and
Whereas, The Zilber Family Foundation has committed $1,575,000 to the program, while the Monarch Foundation, a private, grant-making foundation based in New York, has committed $250,000 per year over 3 years for all administrative expenses associated with program implementation; and
Whereas, The Zilber Family Foundation is seeking public and private partners to provide an additional $450,000, which is required to fully fund 100 participants for a third program year; and
Whereas, The City allocated $350,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Housing Trust Fund ARPA Program, which subawarded the funds to the Social Development Commission (SDC); and
Whereas, This Housing Trust Fund ARPA Program has not started, and no funds have been spent or committed by the SDC to any contractor; and
Whereas, ARPA funding must be under contract by December 31, 2024, and fully spent by December 31, 2026; and
Whereas, The Zilber Family Foundation has indicated that it is willing to shift the timing of its funding to accommodate applicable spending requirements; and
Whereas, The Zilber Family Foundation and The Bridge Project have implemented a participant onboarding process, including benefits counseling and community programming; and
Whereas, The City’s contribution of available unspent ARPA funds will enable the City to leverage the significant private funds and administrative expertise already dedicated to this important program; and
Whereas, The City’s participation in this pilot program will provide the City with valuable insight into how to operate a similar city-wide program should such capacity arise in the future; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration is authorized to negotiate an agreement with the Zilber Family Foundation for City participation in The Bridge Project; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration is authorized to reallocate $350,000 from the City of Milwaukee Housing Trust Fund’s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act allocations, as set forth in the Legislative Reference Bureau analysis (Exhibit A - Final) attached to Common Council File Number 210894, for City participation in the Zilber Family Foundation’s The Bridge Project; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration is directed to expend up to $350,000 for this purpose.
Requester
Drafter
LRB179796-4
Kathleen M. Brengosz
7/18/2024