Welcome to our November newsletter!

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Wisconsin CONNECT is a collaborative. We seek to provide technical assistance and training opportunities for substance use prevention and treatment grantees, providers, clinicians, social workers, and support staff.

We draw on local and national academic and community resources to reduce and prevent substance use and improve overall health and wellness in Wisconsin.

To that end, we want to help you connect the dots with this newsletter. It is a tool to support our efforts to promote new research, share tools and trainings that aim to help you engage in different communities, enhance practice and improve the health of your clients and program participants.

Alcohol and Cancer: Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative

Did you know that alcohol can damage your DNA? When DNA is damaged, cells can grow out of control and become cancerous. The more you drink, the higher your cancer risk. 

Click here for more information on alcohol and cancer.

How Does Alcohol Impact the Lives of Older Adults - And What Can We Do About it?

from National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Tuesday, December 3

Join the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) for an informative and interactive free webinar.

As the population of older adults 65 and above expands rapidly, so do the rates of alcohol use and misuse among people within this age group. The body changes as we age, and these changes render people more susceptible to some of the harms that stem from alcohol use. To join this free webinar, send an RSVP by Monday, November 25, to dana.west@icf.com.

More information here.

November is Homelessness Awareness Month

The Homeless & Housing Resource Center Training Courses

You can enroll in self-paced training courses on housing and treatment models focused on adults, children, and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Explore trainings here.

Resources from Community Advocates

Community Advocates' Homeless Outreach Program, Autumn West Safe Haven, and Supportive Housing Programs address the unique needs of people living with a mental health issue and in unstable living situations. Their dedicated team engages with people on the streets, at shelters, and at community organizations to identify a path to housing that meets their needs. Participants can move into their Autumn West Safe Haven or into their own apartment and receive wraparound services like case management, health care access, and basic necessities such as meals and laundry.

No one should have to worry about whether they will have food on their plate or a roof over their head. But the reality is that hunger and homelessness are widespread problems that affect far too many people.

Learn more about their programs here.

THC is Changing

from Northwoods Coalition

THC is Changing was created in response to increased community need for resources on new THC products produced and sold in Wisconsin.

The THC is Changing Campaign was launched by the Northwoods Coalition Advisory Board THC ad-hoc committee. The images and design were created by the Creative Services team at Marshfield Clinic Health System.



This campaign was created for coalitions to use to educate the influencers of youth about the potential health hazards THC may cause while youth are targeted with the newest THC-infused products. Assets include fact sheets, a sample press release and talking points, and social media posts.

View the campaign here.

Veterans' Services & Reentry Services

from the Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee

Wednesday, November 20

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 Veterans' Services & Reentry Services.

This workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on November 20; location TBD. Fee is $5 for light refreshments and materials and can be paid via credit card. Registrations are not refundable. Kindly make sure to RSVP by November 15.

Register here.

2024 Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit

Saturday, November 16

Mayor Cavalier Johnson presents the Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit.

Workshops available:

• Co-Parenting Without Cohabitation
• Accountability for Domestic Violence
• Pardon vs. Expungement
• Understanding Mental Health

The summit is being held on Saturday, November 16, at Milwaukee Academy of Science, 2000 W. Kilbourn Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find helpful resources, services, workshops, fellowship and more!

Register here.

Understanding Polysubstance Use and How to Make Health-Enhancing Choices

from the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Created by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in collaboration with SHAPE America 2024, this lesson teaches the DECIDE model of decision making, which is a tool that can help teens feel equipped and empowered to make decisions that maintain or improve their health and well-being. Polysubstance use, or the mixing of two or more substances, is a dangerous but common practice and it is important for students to learn the risks of polysubstance use and how to make risk-aware decisions. 

Find the lesson here.

New Funding Opportunity: Strategic Planning Consultant for Injury and Violence Prevention 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health seeks applicants for a strategic planning consultant. Applying agencies and individuals must demonstrate previous successful experience developing state, county, or city-level strategic plans or other organizational strategic plans. The deadline to apply for this funding opportunity is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024.



Questions related to this RFA must be submitted in writing to dhsbhsfundingopportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov by Thursday November 14, 2024. A frequently asked question section will be regularly updated on the Injury and Violence Prevention Program page during the application period.

Learn more and apply here.

Addiction Medicine Consultation Line

from Wisconsin DHS DCTS

We are seeking applications to implement a statewide Addiction Medicine Consultation Line that will assist clinicians in providing enhanced care to patients with substance use issues and referral support for patients with a substance use disorder. 

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. December 5, 2024.

View more information about this grant opportunity.

Verbal De-Escalation Techniques

from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute

Tuesday, November 12

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 via Zoom from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on November 12.

Register here.

Adult Mental Health First Aid

from Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services Community Access to Recovery Services (BHS CARS)

November 18th, 2024 | 9AM - 3PM | Virtual Via TEAMS

The virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. Learners complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course before participating in the 6-hour, virtual Instructor-led training.

Who should attend?

• Employers
• Police officers
• Hospital staff
• First responders
• Caring individuals
•  

What it covers:

1. Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
2. Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
3. How to interact with a person in crisis.
4. How to connect a person with help.
5. Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.

Next Steps:

STEP #1: REGISTER BELOW

Please note that registration will end ahead of schedule once the maximum number of participants has been reached. To take part in this training, register by 5 pm on 11/13/2024, through the provided link. 

STEP #2: CREATE A CONNECT PROFILE

Look for an email asking you to create a profile on the CONNECT LMS system. Remember to check your spam and junk folder.  Access will be available by 11/17/2024

STEP #3: COMPLETE THE TWO-HOUR PRE-COURSE

After you've made your profile, you'll receive access to the two-hour virtual pre-course no later than, 11/172024

STEP #4: TAKE THE TRAINING

After you complete your pre-course, you'll receive an email with a link to join the virtual training no later than 11/17/2024. This 6-hour virtual training will be facilitated using the Microsoft TEAMS App. You can download the app to your computer/phone in advance.

STEP #5: RECEIVE YOUR CERTIFICATE 

After the training, you'll receive an email titled "You have completed 11/19/2024 Blended Adult Mental Health First Aid in MHFA Connect, " including your official MHFA certificate. Open the attachment and download your certificate at that time. 

If you have questions or need further clarification, contact carsprevention@milwaukeecountywi.gov

Register here.

QPR Question Persuade Refer Suicide Prevention Training

Tuesday, November 19

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. Hosted by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, it will be held via Zoom from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on November 19.

Register here.

Save the Date for Conferences

FOCUS Conference

November 20-21, 2024

In-person at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, WI.

WALC Annual Breastfeeding Conference

March 6-7, 2025

Hybrid. In-person at the Oshkosh Waterfront Hotel and Conference Center in Oshkosh, WI.

Peer Recovery Conference

April 15-17, 2025

In-person at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Call for proposals open.

Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit

May 6-8, 2025

Hybrid. In-person at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.