Welcome to the Prevention Collective! 

The Prevention Collective is a mailing list powered by the Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS) department of Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services (DHS).

CARS manages the public-sector, community-based mental health and substance abuse system for adults and families in Milwaukee County, proudly functioning as a co-occurring integrated system of care. We provide a full array of supportive, recovery-oriented services for persons and families coping with behavioral health issues.

We developed The Prevention Collective mailing list to provide county residents and service providers monthly announcements about training, resources and volunteering opportunities. These monthly announcements are the best way for subscribers to stay in the know about various county-led prevention efforts, mental health resources and harm reduction strategies.

Better Ways to Cope is a Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services Campaign that promotes prevention and treatment resources, funds non-profits to lead primary prevention initiatives and connects Milwaukee County residents to treatment services. 

Funded agencies will partner with CARS to lead primary prevention initiatives in education, dissemination, problem identification, alternative activities, community-based processes and environmental strategies. Applicants should identify which Better Ways to Cope primary prevention initiative they want to lead and apply to request funding.

Who should apply?

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits must submit proposals for the Better Ways to Cope Prevention Campaign Initiatives. An eligible fiscal sponsor may apply on behalf of an organization that is not a 501(c)(3). 

When will applicants be notified?

Applications are due Monday, June 6, 2022, by 5:00 pm. Applications submitted after 5 pm or June 6th will not be considered. Applicants will be informed of their selection status the week of Monday, June 27–July 1, 2022.

Download the application, budget template and narrative to apply!

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.

QPR can be learned in our Gatekeeper course in as little as one hour.

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:

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

Choose one of the dates below to register! 

Pull Up and Pick Up!

Pack the trunk of your car with behavioral health resources

The CARS department houses resources related to stigma reduction, substance misuse prevention, suicide prevention, mental health awareness and Milwaukee County basic needs services. Community leaders and service providers are encouraged to disseminate these supplies to individuals and organizations in need of them.

Volunteers should complete the resource pick-up form below and drive up to the Behavioral Health Services building on 9455 West Watertown Plank Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226 to pick up their order of supplies.

Here is a list of resources eligible for pick up:

Prevention Related 

• Medication Lock Boxes
• Deterra Medication Deactivation Bags
• Gun Locks
• Fentanyl Test Strips (Health Service Workers Only)

Health Services Related 

• I'm In Crises Red Books
• CARS Services Flyers
• Wraparound Services Cards
• BHS Access Clinic One-Pagers

Stigma Reduction Related

• Nutrition and Wellness Flyer
• Supportive Relationships Flyer
• Healthy Communication Flyer
• Self Care Flyer

Swag Items

• THINK Magnets
• Dumbbell Stress balls
• Lip balm 

Click the links to learn more about events you can attend and opportunities to volunteer!

Brain Health Resource Fair

LUNCH AND LEARN: COMMUNITY RESPONSE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF PSYCHOSIS

Grab and Go at Owen's Place

WRAPAROUND MILWAUKEE WELLNESS FAIR

Golf & Adaptive Golf with County Executive Crowley, at Lincoln Park Golf Course 

Vaccination Clinic Hosted by Running Rebels

Aging & Disabilities Services: Memory Screening

Let's Talk Brain Health

Heal the Hood Block Party

Unity in the Community