What you need to know about services after SDC’s abrupt closing | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
May 8, 2024
The sudden shutdown of the Social Development Commission, or SDC, in late April has left residents wondering what will happen to vital services and programs such as tax preparation and job training.
In the interim, other nonprofits are stepping up to fill some of the void.
However, the long-term impact on those programs and the people who rely on them remains uncertain.
William Sulton, an attorney who represents the Social Development Commission, said last week that the SDC is referring to the closure as a “pause,” and the Board of Commissioners is continuing to meet to determine how and when to reopen the agency.
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The board is scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 9 to discuss funding and programming, among other things, Sulton told NNS on Tuesday.
The 61-year-old quasi-governmental community action agency hosted over 30 programs and partnered with many more.
According to the SDC’s 2022 annual report, the agency served about 20,000 people annually, providing nutrition, residential, career and a series of other services.
Many Milwaukee residents have taken to social media to express concerns about the closing. But many services will still be provided, said John Hyatt, the president and CEO of IMPACT 2-1-1.
IMPACT 2-1-1 is Milwaukee’s central access point for people in need.
IMPACT 2-1-1 data show that the agency referred about 500 callers to services provided by SDC in the first quarter of the year. Around 200 of those calls were for services that ended before the abrupt closing of the SDC.
As for the rest of the calls, Hyatt said other agencies are now providing those services.
Many agencies and nonprofit organizations are scrambling to find and create capacity to oversee the shuttered programs.
Clients of the Social Development Commission’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program will get assistance from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS.
Sulton said the IRS will help the SDC provide assistance and communicate with clients concerning their tax returns.
The commission’s adult education programs have also been picked up by other agencies.
According to Holly McCoy, the executive director of Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Area Technical College has taken the lead on ensuring displaced students have a place to complete their programs.
“Former SDC staff reached out to assure students would be able to complete programs,” McCoy said. “These services are free and accessible at several locations.”
Bria Grant, the founder and executive director of UniteWI, a statewide coordinated care network, said the agency is taking on some of the people served by the SDC and is partnering with other groups to advocate and provide support where it can.
While many SDC programs have not yet been picked up by other agencies, some agencies are exploring ways to continue the commission’s nutrition and career services programs, according to Grant.
“We are working to help former employees maintain employment,” she said. “And we are working to connect those who were being served to other agencies.”
IMPACT 2-1-1: You can dial 2-1-1. IMPACT 2-1-1 will have the most current information on where you can go for assistance. Learn more here.
Do you have questions you want answered about the SDC? Thoughts you want to share? We are here for you. Let us know what’s on your mind by emailing us or commenting. You can also text us through News414, and our reporters will work hard to get the answers you deserve.