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Welcome to our April newsletter!
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.
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One month until the 2025 Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit!
The 2025 Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit is May 6-8. Attend in person in the Wisconsin Dells and enjoy all the Kalahari Resort has to offer or attend virtually.
Why should you attend the 2025 Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit?
The diverse lineup of speakers includes national, regional, and state leaders in the behavioral health field.
- Grow your knowledge and skills.
The agenda includes four keynote presentations and more than 30 workshops designed to engage, equip, and empower participants to build healthy and safe communities.
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Participate in networking opportunities.
There is time each day to form meaningful connections either in person or virtually with professionals like you working to support people with substance use concerns.
- Connect with support and resources.
Many state agencies working to address gaps and barriers to care in Wisconsin’s behavioral health system will be part of this event to listen to your feedback and answer your questions. BONUS: In-person attendees have the opportunity to pick up printed materials and harm reduction supplies to support their work.
Learn proven strategies to create change and save lives—starting the moment you get back to work after this event.
You get all of this and free continuing education credits for an affordable registration fee. If you register by April 4, you’ll save $50 on your ticket. The full price registration fee takes effect April 5.
See the agenda for this event and information on how to register to attend.
The deadline to register for the 2025 Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit is May 6.
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Pandemic's Effects Linger in Americans' Health Ratings: After worsening during the pandemic, Americans self-reported mental and physical health remain down
by Lydia Saad
from GALLUP
Americans self-reported mental and physical health dropping
Americans' assessments of their mental and physical health in Gallup’s latest annual survey are the least positive they have been in Gallup’s 24-year trend, reflecting a long decline. The declines are especially stark for young women.
Read the article here.
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Changes in Specialty Crisis Services Offered Before and After the Launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
from JAMA Psychiatry
Question Did the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in July 2022 influence the availability of crisis services offered by mental health treatment facilities in the US?
Findings This cohort study of 15 623 mental health treatment facilities found that the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was associated with a significant increase in peer support services, a significant decrease in psychiatric walk-in services, and statistically significant, albeit small, decreases in mobile crisis response and suicide prevention services.
Meaning Mental health officials and policymakers should consider strategies to boost the financing and availability of crisis services at mental health treatment facilities to meet increased demand generated by the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Read the full text here.
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Public Allies Summer Corps
from Public Allies
Public Allies, a national network dedicated to nurturing emerging leaders who are passionate about creating positive community change, is looking for allies. This program, open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents over the age of 17, invites individuals to serve in AmeriCorps apprenticeship positions with nonprofits, tackling vital issues like youth development, education, and public health. Allies gain leadership skills, professional coaching, and the chance to make a real difference while receiving benefits such as a stipend, healthcare, and an education award. Join this diverse and impactful movement to shape a future that includes everyone.
Learn more and apply here.
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The Connection Opportunity: Insights for Bringing Americans Together Across Difference
from More in Common
More in Common conducted a two-year study involving over 6,000 Americans—with regional spotlights on the Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and Houston metro areas that found most Americans value and are interested in connecting across difference (race, income, religion, politics), especially when working toward a shared goal. When asked what challenges stand in the way of forming these connections, Americans most commonly report a “lack of opportunity.” The authors also learned that the more people believe others are engaging across difference (and value such engagement), the more interested they are in doing so themselves.
This report provides insights into what fosters interest in connection and gives broad recommendations for how to build more meaningful connections across lines of difference nationwide. Community leaders, organizations, and individuals can use these findings to better understand what drives connection and uncover strategies to foster deeper, more meaningful relationships across difference in their communities.
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Parent Peer Specialist Application
from Wisconsin Peer Specialists
MKE Peer Academy is offering a free, online Certified Parent Peer Certification training funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and supported by Access to Independence.
To be selected you must be dedicated to promoting recovery opportunities in the lives of Parent Peers, have first-hand lived experience parenting a youth with social, emotional, behavioral concerns/substance use concerns, reside in Milwaukee County, have at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and be 18 years of age or older.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 18, at 12 noon.
Learn more and apply here.
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Perinatal Mental Health Webinar series
from The Periscope Project
Periscope is hosting eight free webinars in 2025 broken into two series:
- Perinatal Mental Health Series
- Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder Series
These series are directed toward health care providers and professionals caring for pregnant and postpartum patients.
Upcoming topics:
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
05/16/2025 12-1p CST
Registration Link
Harm Reduction Related to Perinatal Opioid Use
08/22/2025 12-1p CST
Registration Link
Opioid Use Disorder in Perinatal Patients including Pain Management
10/17/2025 12-1p CST
Registration Link
Learn more here.
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MATRIX Trainings
from Wisconsin CONNECT
We have MATRIX trainings on the calendar! Here is what's upcoming:
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Criminal Justice
Wednesday, April 9 and
Thursday, April 10
9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
both days
virtual
Register here
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Contingency Management
Friday, April 11
9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
virtual
Register here
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Verbal De-Escalation Techniques
from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute
Tuesday, April 8
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.
This session will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on April 8 via Zoom.
RSVP here.
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QPR Question Persuade Refer Suicide Prevention Training
from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute
Thursday, April 10
We can all save lives.
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 interactive introduction to suicide awareness and prevention will also cover statistics and intervention strategies. This session from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on April 10.
RSVP here.
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Resilience and Thriving: The Secret Power of Stress
from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute
Wednesday, April 30
How well do you cope with stress? And can stress ever be good for you? Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is offering Resilience and Thriving, a two-hour webinar in which participants will be able to identify early warning signs of stress, types of stress, and effects of stress. Participants will learn specific skills to cope well with and thrive from stress, and understand positive and negative coping styles, plus their personal coping style! This session is open t o everyone and is offered free of charge.
This session is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. on April 30.
RSVP here.
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Mental Health and Wellness Powwow
from Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center (GLIIHC)
Saturday, May 3
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center (GLIIHC) is hosting their 4th annual Honoring the Heartbeat Mental Health and Wellness Powwow to celebrate mental health, wellness, cultural resilience, and breaking the stigma around seeking help. The event will be held on Saturday, May 3, at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park from 12 noon to 8 p.m.
For the event, GLIIHC is looking for community organizations to provide tabling information about their services to the Milwaukee community. Community Organizations are asked to provide information about how their program and/or organization can support the mental health and wellness of attendees and how community members can access services.
Apply here.
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Save the Date for 2025 Conferences
Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Conference
April 9
Virtual.
North Central Regional Trauma Advisory Council (NCRTAC) Trauma Conference
April 10
In-person at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, WI.
Wisconsin Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
April 15-17
In-person at the Holiday In in Stevens Point, WI.
Peer Recovery Conference
April 15-17
In-person at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
NAMI Wisconsin Annual Conference
April 25-26
In-person at the Marriott West in Madison, WI.
Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit
May 6-8
Hybrid. In-person at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Conference
May 13 and May 16
In-person pre-conference in Milwaukee, WI. Virtual conference.
2025 Advances in Trauma Care
May 16
In-person at Rasmus/Overholt/Ross/ICE House in La Crosse, WI.
Harm Reduction Conference
July 16-17
Hybrid. In-person at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Motivational Interviewing Conference
August 6-8
In-person at the Pyle Center in Madison, WI.
Substance Use Prevention Conference
September 10-11
Hybrid. In-person at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Wisconsin Crisis Intervention Conference
September 18-19
In-person at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Conference
October 16-17
Hybrid. In-person at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
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Check out our video archive to find a session you might have missed.
You can also go back to the training session webpage to find other resources, slides and handouts.
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Click here below to see all the upcoming trainings and events across topics. | |  |
Have a training interest? Looking for technical assistance? Simply fill out this online form with what you are seeking, and we will follow up to further explore your needs. | | Wisconsin CONNECT Social Media | | Go follow the new Wisconsin CONNECT social media pages for regular updates on training opportunities as well as to connect and network with other professionals. | | |
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We do this in partnership with the Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery within the Wisconsin Department of Health Service's Division of Care and Treatment Services, UW-Milwaukee, and our network of training providers. |
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