Join AWY for Connections for Change Virtual Prevention Conference, a two-day conference filled with bold conversations, insights from statewide prevention coalitions, inspiration, and innovative strategies that can impact the future of prevention. The Connections for Change conference will also include nationally recognized keynote speakers; Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, DJ Vanas (author and owner of Native Discovery Inc.) and Mark Sander, LCSW, CADC.

Registration will be $25 per attendee, with the first 200 registrants receiving a conference gift box from AWY. The conference will be held Wednesday, June 8, through Thursday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. both days. Click here to register and to find more details about the Connections for Change virtual conference!

Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services is providing a funding opportunity for nonprofits that lead primary prevention initiatives and connects Milwaukee County residents to treatment services. Funding applications are due Monday, June 6, by 5 p.m. To view the funding application, click here.

Street Angels is accepting nominations for their 2022 Jeanne Lowry Street Angels Service Award. This award will recognize an individual working in the field of homeless services who exemplifies the characteristics shown by Jeanne Lowry in her committed service to the community. Nominations will close on Friday, June 17, at 5 p.m. For more information on the award, click here.

Milwaukee County residents and community leaders put mental health at the top of the list of health issues, according to the 2021 Milwaukee Health Care Partnership’s Community Health Needs Assessment. They also chose violence, drug use/overdose, alcohol, and access to health care as pressing health needs. The needs assessment, conducted every three years, sheds light on health risk factors, behaviors, root causes, and contributing community factors. New this year is an emphasis on addressing racism and discrimination as key determinants of health. You can read the entire report and access more data at HealthCompassMilwaukee.org.

The Disability Rights Wisconsin PAIMI Advisory Council is hosting "Mental Health Advocacy Assistance: Information and Input." This virtual event will discuss ways to engage and support people using self-advocacy, create a space to share ideas on supporting individual with mental health needs, and more. This event will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 1, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required; click here to register.

This online training will provide health and human service providers with a comprehensive overview of Harm Reduction. This approach incorporates a practical set of strategies designed to prevent disease and promote health by “meeting people where they are” rather than making judgments about where they should be in terms of their personal health and lifestyle. Recognizing that not everyone is ready or able to stop risky behavior, harm reduction focuses on promoting ways to reduce the health risks associated with drug use and other high risk behaviors. This course will assist providers in more effectively engaging their clients in a range of interventions to reduce the risk of harm. This workshop is sponsored by MCSAP and the National Harm Reduction Coalition. Registration is required at this link.

 

The Intersection of Lived and Learned Experiences On Civility In The Workplace (Tuesday, June 7, 10:30-12:30): The impact of up to five generations working side by side in the workplace presents a plethora of experiences that can evolve and challenge authentic relationships. Each generation has a unique experience and understanding of the concept of respect, hard work ethic, and civility. How each of these are defined will influence how individuals recognize and respond to the world around them. As we become more intentional about shared definitions we are more inclined to actively participate in contributing to a desired Organizational Culture. Register here.

Crucial Conversations, Critical Thinking, and the Art of Asking Better Questions (Tuesday, June 14, 10:30-12:30): This session will focus on a very tactical approach to seeking clarity and addressing challenges and concerns efficiently and effectively. Participants will be provided a ‘guided tour’ of the elements of thought to understand how we think and what questions we should be teaching people to ask themselves BEFORE they publicly proclaim something a problem. Participants will also be introduced to very specific questions to ask which results in clarity for both parties to manage expectations of how and when to respond. Register at this link.

This workshop will be held on Zoom from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, June 10. RSVPs are required by emailing Hannah Lepper.

Community Advocates is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid workshops to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Community Advocates will offer this session via Zoom at no cost. It's open to Milwaukee County residents and those who work with them.

The City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention is offering the Summer of Healing initiative in which you can learn about community resources, holistic healing practices, cultural practices and self-defense techniques. This program will also have activities and prizes for youth and teens. The first day of this program will be on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Moody Park, 2250 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee. No registration is required as this is an outdoor event. If you are interested in attending and have any additional questions, reach out to the Office of Violence Prevention through Facebook by clicking here.

Your Choice Prevention is hosting an encore of their summer webinar series starting June 13 to August 15. Their series will include free access to their popular webinars and free certificates of completion. Each webinar will be up for a week so you can work on your own time with flexibility. If you are interested in this program and would like to receive more information on webinars and dates, click here.

Community Advocates is offering a Mindful Gratitude workshop that teaches participants how to put the art of appreciation into practice. Presented by author Christel B. Wendelberger, this 1-hour evidence-based workshop explores research that shows that mindfulness and gratitude can help us cope with difficulties and improve mental, emotional and physical wellness. This workshop will be held Thursday, June 16, from 4 - 5 p.m. This workshop will be held in person at Community Advocates Training Center, 6900 W. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee. To register, click here.

Community Advocates is offering a virtual De-Escalation Techniques training to teach participants how to defuse a situation and increase safety using verbal de-escalation techniques. This workshop is aimed toward individuals who encounter conflict in the workplace, at home, or in the community, whether you are a parent or educator, work in the helping professions, or otherwise work with the public in potentially tense situations. This online workshop is free and open to anyone who lives or works in Milwaukee County. Click on the following dates to register:

Community Advocates is offering Trauma and the Brain: An Introduction, which covers trauma's effect on the brain in the short term and long term, provides a space to discuss risk factors and substance use disorders and helps participants develop their strategy for intervention methods for a specific population. This 2-hour interactive, evidence-based workshop is aimed toward community members and professionals who want to learn more about the importance of prevention and self-care as healers and as trauma survivors. To register, click on the following dates:

New research from UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty shows that cash supports for families during a baby's first year can have positive financial, educational, and behavioral effects for the child. According to the U.S. tax system, "a few days difference in the birthday of a child can have a significant financial impact on parents." Families with children who are born just before the end of the year are eligible to receive earned income tax credits than a child born after January 1. Researchers are looking to understand the effectiveness of cash support for families and whether direct cash payments can improve a child's development. To read more about this policy brief, click here.

CADCA is partnering with AmerisourceBergen Foundation to provide a series of engaging, story-telling based videos on safe storage and disposal of medications for individuals and families. To access the series, click here.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is providing a Mental Health and Wellness resource guide for community members in the Milwaukee County such as adults, families, teens & kids. The resource guide provides a list resources for behavioral health, treatment, support groups and more. To access this resource guide, click here.