In this Issue:

• News
• Events & Webinars
• Community Resources
• Los Recursos Familial en Español
• Family Resources in English
• Job Opportunities

Spotlight On:

Discover Wellness Walk

Saturday, May 18

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Community Advocates and RISE Drug Free MKE invite community members for a walk in the park and to interact with seven stations with mental wellness activities and free resources from partnering organizations. Each attendee will automatically receive an entry to a raffle prize! No registration is required.

This is a FREE, family-friendly event to be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St., Milwaukee. It's part of a Wellness Event Series to mark Mental Health Awareness Month, May 2024, supported by SPF-PFS-19 funding.

• FREE mindful movement class at 11 a.m.!
• Learn coping skills!
• Free resources!
• Activity stations!

Partners include: I Am Chronically Resilient, The Village, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, RISE Drug Free MKE, Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa Health Department, Escucha Tus Emociones, and Milwaukee County Parks.

Discover Wellness Mental Health Month Series

During May, community partners around Milwaukee County are offering a variety of family-friendly events to support mental wellness. Each event, supported by SPF-PFS-19 funding, will feature rock painting, giveaways, raffles, entry into a drawing for a bike package, and resources.

• May 11: Community Clean & Green Event, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Daffodil Park, 5636 Broad St., Greendale
• May 17: Community Game Night & Touch a Truck, 4:30 to 7 p.m., Kosciuszko Elementary, 5252 S. Kirkwood, Cudahy
• May 18: Wellness Walk, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
• May 19: Wellness in West Allis, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., West Allis Farmers Market, 6501 W. National Ave., West Allis
• June 8: Oak Creek Health Department Booth, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oak Creek Farmers Market, 361 W. Town Square Way
• June 21: Outdoor Movie Night, 5 to 8 p.m., 9229 W. Loomis Rd., Franklin

News

Milwaukee Peer Support Academy

The Milwaukee County Peer Support Academy, an initiative sponsored by the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, aims to enhance community health through the direction of Wisconsin Community Services, in partnership with INPOWER, HealthyMKE, the Community Mental Health and Wellness Alliance, and other community leaders and stakeholders. The goal is to recruit, train, and deploy 88 peer support specialists over the next year, enhancing mental health and substance abuse support in Milwaukee County. Applications for the academy are being accepted now.

Join the National Coalition Institute for an upcoming Research Into Action webinar on Tuesday, May 7, at 12 noon, featuring Dr. David Jernigan, who will share findings from his recent article, "Interrupted Time Series Analysis of Bar/Tavern Closing Hours and Violent Crime," published in JAMA Network in 2024. He will discuss the impact of reducing selling hours for alcohol on violent crimes.

The Southeast PTTC is pleased to present a new interactive workshop series on youth engagement. The first session begins at 11 a.m. on May 8, when presenters will describe organizational characteristics needed to support youth engagement and help participants examine their own organizations’ readiness. The second session, which begins at 11 a.m. on May 15, will invite participants to learn more about the social justice youth development framework and unequal distributions of power in youth-adult relationships. 

The 3rd annual Black Maternal Health Symposium, presented by GE HealthCare, stands as a pivotal platform addressing critical health disparities and alarming rates of Black maternal and infant mortality. This event convenes the state's leading maternal healthcare professionals and community advocates to facilitate a unique learning experience and promote interdisciplinary collaborations. This no-cost symposium will be held on May 11 at the Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee. 

During this virtual workshop from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, you will learn how to increase safety by utilizing verbal de-escalation techniques. Participants will explore foundational information on how to reduce the level of conflict through self-knowledge, understand how past experiences influence current behavior, and practice de-escalation. It will be held twice on May 13; from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Naloxone distribution is an essential intervention to prevent fatal opioid-involved overdoses. This event will explain the why and how to reach the goal of naloxone saturation in Wisconsin. Naloxone saturation is achieved when there is sustainable and equitable access to naloxone for distribution to people who use drugs and people who may witness an opioid overdose. Wisconsin DHS has partnered with UW-Whitewater's Center for Inclusive Transition, Education, and Employment to host this event. It will be held virtually from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 14.

The Wisconsin DHS Maternal and Infant Mortality Prevention Unit is organizing this virtual gathering for those in Wisconsin working in maternal health and related fields, including equity and racial justice. DHS wants to hear from you and learn what is happening in your communities and share important, relevant news. It will be held virtually on May 15 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Government agencies like Child Protective Services (CPS) are tasked with protecting vulnerable children. These agencies can assist children and families in need, but based on their research, our presenters say that the work of these systems also centrally involves surveillance of families, particularly poor families of color. How do mothers and their children—often navigating conditions of poverty and racism—experience this surveillance? And why are poor moms of color much more likely to be CPS involved? In this webinar from UW Institute for Research on Poverty, Dr. Darcey Merritt and Dr. Kelley Fong will draw on their extensive work with mothers whose parenting has been monitored by CPS and other agencies that often threaten the families they are supposed to help. It will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on May 15.

The Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee (ECOM) is a monthly gathering of social services professionals, advocates, and consumers organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. ECOM explores topics that are vital to Milwaukee’s human services professionals. This month's topic is Mental Health, AODA & Harm Reduction, and the session will be held from 9 am to 12 noon on May 15; location TBD. Fee is $5 for light refreshments and materials and can be paid via credit card. Kindly make sure to RSVP by May 10.

Looking to build a shared understanding of local conditions with your coalition? The Southeast Region of the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth and Community Advocates Public Policy Institute are offering this session from 1 to 2 p.m. on May 15 on Zoom. Following this session, participants will be able to understand the purpose and benefits of a data walk, determine opportunities for their community to engage with data relevant to substance use prevention, play a role in demystifying data and building awareness of local conditions, and identify next steps for planning a data walk in their community.

This SAMHSA Symposium will convene multidisciplinary stakeholders and thought leaders to share perspectives and solutions for improved outcomes in prevention, early identification, and treatment for children, youth, young adults, and their families.

Grounded in this year’s theme, "Championing Mental Health Together," the Symposium will:

• Feature panel discussions on emerging trends;
• Showcase evidence-based practices, programs, and services; and
• Provide networking opportunities for collaboration.

The Symposium will be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 17. Registration is not necessary to access the livestream. Participants will have to access this link on the day of the Symposium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3TSew7BDQ4

Data You Can Use’s May meeting will feature a presentation on the program evaluation of 414LIFE and an overview of cross-system data for youth mental health care delivery in Milwaukee County. This meeting will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. on May 22 at UWM Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health, 1240 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee. Lunch is included. RSVPs are required.

Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. It’s organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and will be held on Zoom on May 22. Pre-course work is required.

The 12th annual Heal the Hood Block Party is back with live performances, free food, kids’ activities, health resources, and community. Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is among the sponsors and will be there. It’ll be held from 12 to 7 p.m. on May 25, on MLK Boulevard from Sixth Street to Center Street.

Prepare for upcoming summer events by tapping into your lemonade stand skills. The Southeast Region of the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth and Community Advocates Public Policy Institute are offering this session from 1 to 2 p.m. on May 29 on Zoom. Following this session, participants will be able to re-energize their approach to tabling at events and activities, streamline the organization of tabling materials and supplies, maximize the tabling setting to engage community members in meaningful ways, and determine opportunities to support their coalition's goals through tabling. 

How well do you cope with stress? And can stress ever be good for you?

In this two-hour webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify the early warning signs of stress, types of stress, and effects of stress
• Understand positive and negative coping styles, plus your personal coping style
• Learn specific skills to cope well with and thrive from stress

It’s organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on May 29.

The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. This two-hour interactive introduction to suicide awareness and prevention will also cover statistics and intervention strategies. It’s organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on May 29.

Hey, there,

-- do you have:



• Job openings?
• Upcoming events?
• News to share?
• Suggestions?

Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net.

Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Barometer, Region 5, 2021-2022

Explore state and regional data for HHS Region 5 with this user-friendly behavioral health report. It uses data from the 2021-2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The topics addressed in this report include substance use, substance use disorders, and mental health. Selected estimates are provided for adolescents aged 12 to 17, underage people aged 12 to 20, adults aged 18 or older, and the general population aged 12 or older. Statistical tests compare population percentages of (1) HHS region versus national estimates, (2) state versus national estimates, and (3) state versus HHS region estimates. Access it here.

Behavioral Health among Older Adults Infographic Report

SAMHSA released Behavioral Health among Older Adults: Results from the 2021 and 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, a new infographic report highlighting substance use and mental health indicators among older adults aged 60 or older in the United States. Download it here.

SAMHSA 2024 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit

SAMHSA has created social media content to help spread awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our well-being, promote acceptance and support of anyone living with a mental illness, and share key resources. Download it here.

SAMHSA National Prevention Week 2024 Resources

National Prevention Week is a public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations across the country that are preventing substance use and promoting positive mental health. This year, National Prevention Week is taking place from May 12-18. Get details.

MHA 2024 May Is Mental Health Month Resources

Mental Health America's 2024 Mental Health Month toolkit provides free resources to help plan your efforts and raise awareness during the month of May and beyond. It has DIY tools, social media assets, resources, templates, printable handouts, and more. Download it here.

Kit de conversación para padres: consejos para hablar y qué decir para prevenir el abuso de drogas y alcohol

Esta guía de Arizona Rethink RX Abuse and Partnership en Drug-Free.org para padres y cuidadores sobre qué decir para prevenir el uso indebido de drogas y alcohol en niños y equipos. Descarguelo aqui.

Healthy MKE

De Milwaukee Health Care Partnership y Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services, el sitio web Healthy MKE ofrece una única fuente de información para los servicios públicos y privados en el condado de Milwaukee, donde los proveedores y los miembros de la comunidad pueden obtener la información que necesitan para ayudarse a sí mismos o a otros. Accede a ellos aquí.

Programa de intervención familiar (FIP)

Objetivo del programa de intervención familiar es eliminar importantes barreras que impiden latinos y afroamericanos individuos y familias de buscar servicios de asesoría tradicional. Este programa de manejo de caso intensivo, basado en el hogar, enfoque familiar ofrece servicios de apoyo a las familias que luchan con el impacto de la adicción a la sustancia y la violencia doméstica. Servicios son proporcionados sin costo a la familia. Para obtener más información sobre el programa de intervención familiar, por favor llame a 414-270-4600. Aprende más.

Parent Talk Kit - Tips for Talking and What to Say to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Abuse

This guide from Arizona Rethink RX Abuse and Partnership at Drug-Free.org for parents and caregivers on what to say to prevent drug and alcohol misuse in children and teams. Download it here.

Positive Options for Women Entering Recovery

Are you worried about your drinking or drug use? You aren’t alone. The Positive Options for Women Entering Recovery (POWER) is here to help. The Milwaukee Women’s Center’s POWER provides FREE day treatment for women struggling with alcohol and other drug issues. Click here to learn more or call 414-270-4600 to get help.

Family Intervention Program (FIP)

Struggling with drug and alcohol use can make you feel alone. Not being able to find a counselor who understands your unique treatment needs can make things even harder. The Family Intervention Program is a no-cost, bilingual English and Spanish drug and alcohol treatment program specifically designed for Black and Latinx individuals and families in Milwaukee. To learn more about the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Family Intervention Program, please call 414-270-4600 or click this link.

Job Opportunities

• City of Wauwatosa: Environmental Health Specialist
• Community Advocates: Accountant
• Community Advocates: Communications Associate
• Courage MKE: Resident Care Worker
• Dominican Center: Director of Operations and Administration
• Friedens Food Pantries: Community Engagement Coordinator
• Grand Avenue Club: Program Coordinator
• HeartLove Place: Youth and Family Program Leader (Part Time)
• Impact Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services Inc.: Senior Researcher
• Kids Matter Inc.: Outreach / Team Support
• Kids Matter Inc.: Staff Attorney
• Milwaukee Parks Foundation: Outreach Coordinator (Part Time)
• Next Door Milwaukee: CCP Manager
• Next Door Milwaukee: Monitoring and Compliance Manager
• Outreach Community Health Centers: APSA/LPC-IT Youth and Family Psychotherapist
• Outreach Community Health Centers: Licensed Professional Counselor – Clinical Coordinator TCM/CCM
• Pathfinders: CCS Care Coordinator
• Pathfinders: CCS Supervisor / CCS Program Manager
• Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center: Youth & Family Therapist

This newsletter was created and delivered to you thanks to the financial support of Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services Behavioral Health Services and other funders.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute | 414-270-2950 

ppi.communityadvocates.net