Impartial Research For Informed Debate

The Wisconsin Policy Forum is a nonpartisan, independent statewide policy research organization with offices in Milwaukee and Madison. Our mission is to provide informed, nonpartisan analysis of critical policy issues affecting local governments, school districts, and the state of Wisconsin. Our research and facilitation activities encourage elected officials and community leaders to find effective, data-driven solutions to pressing policy challenges, and promote productive discussion among the public and private sectors.

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Join hundreds of corporations, nonprofits, local governments, and school districts and more than 1,000 individuals who ensure the Forum’s continued operation as a valuable and reliable source of independent, nonpartisan government research and education.

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Our events include in-depth policy discussions featuring knowledgeable speakers and panelists encompassing a wide range of perspectives on a variety of timely topics.

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Upcoming Events

Featured Research

Jan

24

2019 Annual Meeting

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Wisconsin Club
900 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI
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Featured Research

Psychiatric Crisis Redesign in Milwaukee County

Phase I Report

December 2018

ADULT PLAN SUMMARY | ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN REPORT

For the past several months, the Forum has partnered with the Massachusetts-based Human Services Research Institute to facilitate a project aimed at redesigning the psychiatric crisis service system in Milwaukee County. The project stemmed from the impending outsourcing of Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division (BHD) inpatient services and the anticipated closure of the county’s Mental Health Complex, including BHD’s psychiatric emergency department. It was steered by an Advisory Committee comprised of public and private sector behavioral health leaders and administrative representatives.

In our role as facilitator, we publish two reports – the Phase I adult behavioral health care delivery system conceptual plan developed by...
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"The Forum continues to demonstrate that fact-based research and civil policy discourse still matter in Wisconsin."

- Andy Schiesl

Gardner Denver

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In The News

New report outlines redesigned Milwaukee County psychiatric crisis services

BizTimesRead More

Event Recap

Can the Private Sector Help Address Greater Milwaukee’s Infrastructure Woes?

More than 200 people attended our Viewpoint Luncheon in Milwaukee, Can the Private Sector Help Address Greater Milwaukee’s Infrastructure Woes? which explored the role the private sector might play in addressing local government infrastructure challenges. The Wisconsin Policy Forum’s series of reports on local government infrastructure has pointed to vast repair andRead More

In The News

La Crosse County eviction rate up more than 40 percent since 2012

La Crosse TribuneRead More