WAUWATOSA, Wis.—A transformative chapter in juvenile justice is unfolding in Milwaukee County as construction nears completion on the new Milwaukee County Center for Youth, a 32-bed facility designed to redefine how communities support and rehabilitate young people in the justice system.
Slated to open imminently, the center is being built as an addition to the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center in Wauwatosa. It represents a bold shift away from punitive models and toward a trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate approach that prioritizes healing, education, and reintegration.
The project began with a comprehensive feasibility study led by Continuum Architects + Planners and Dewberry, who collaborated on programming, conceptual plans, schematic design, furniture and equipment selection, finishes, and a final cost estimate. Their work enabled Milwaukee County to move forward with a new Secure Residential Care Center for Children and Youth (SRCCCY) — a 32-bed facility split between 16 beds in the existing structure and 16 in the new addition.
Continuum’s design philosophy blends the secure, safe aspects of a correctional facility with the warmth and openness of a residential and educational environment. The result is a space that feels less like a detention center and more like a place for growth.
Key features include:
- Outdoor recreation space
- Medical and dental suites
- Behavioral health offices
- Culinary arts classroom
This holistic design supports Milwaukee County’s vision to “establish a safe, positive, and developmentally appropriate treatment environment that promotes accountability, protects the community, reduces recidivism, and returns youth to our community with the skills needed to become successful and productive citizens.”
While the exact construction cost has not been publicly disclosed, the county previously spent over $1.2 million annually to send youth to remote facilities like Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake — at a rate of $1,178 per youth per day. The new center promises not only financial efficiency but also proximity to families, community services, and local support networks.
As the opening approaches, Milwaukee County is positioning itself as a national model for youth justice reform. The Center for Youth is more than a building — it’s a statement of values, a commitment to second chances, and a blueprint for how communities can invest in their future.
