Milwaukee Prevention Journal 
December 4, 2017
Issue 6-46

Thank you for your commitment to making Milwaukee a better place by investing in prevention efforts. Do you have:
  • Job openings?
  • Upcoming events?
  • News to share?
  • Suggestions?

Forward the information to Elysse at EChay@CommunityAdvocates.net. Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!

Yours in prevention,
Elysse Chay 
Prevention Services Manager
Community Advocates
Public Policy Institute 


top
news

News



Spotlight On: 
PPI's Year of Prevention Work

As 2017 comes to a close, we wanted to share with you some of the highlights of our year. The Public Policy Institute's prevention team has been working hard to promote the positive message that preventing negative behaviors is far more effective and beneficial than trying to stop them once they've taken hold.

Although our community is facing so many challenges, we're encouraged by how warmly this message is received. But perhaps most of all, we are so grateful for our amazing partners throughout Southeastern Wisconsin who are doing such important work with at-risk youth, families, and adults. 

We're feeling optimistic about 2018 because we know that our coalitions are built with strong, energetic, and innovative partners who are always willing to get involved. Thank you.

Here are some of the highlights of our year:


Recent  news stories  have reported an increase in student use of an e-cigarette vaping device called the Juul. It is designed to look like a USB flash drive and is charged in a computer or laptop, with pods of nicotine "e-juice" that come in a variety of flavors found to appeal to youth like mango, crème brulee and fruit medley. Both  Whitefish Bay  and Mequon high schools have noted an increase in student usage of the Juul, with some students leaving class to use them in school bathrooms.

According to the the Surgeon General Report on  E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Youth Adults , "nicotine exposure...during adolescence can disrupt the growth of brain circuits that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction." 

In addition, nicotine exposure during adolescence can lower impulse control and lead to mood disorders. The most recent  Wisconsin Youth Tobacco Survey found that although conventional cigarette use among youth is decreasing, e-cigarette use among Wisconsin high school students nearly doubled from 2014 to 2016, and nearly 90% of youth said they would not try an e-cigarette if it didn't come in candy and fruit flavors. 

The Surgeon General report has the following  tips for parents:  
  • Know the facts and be ready to listen
  • Start a conversation about e-cigarettes when the timing is right, e.g. when passing a vape shop, seeing an ad in a store or magazine, or when seeing someone vaping
  • Answer their questions
  • Keep the conversation going
To learn more and to take action, see the new Department of Health Services website,  Tobacco Is Changing, or attend the  City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance meeting on Thursday, December 14.  You can register here.

 


National Recognition for Dose of Reality Campaign

SAMHSA's Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) is highlighting the work done by the Wisconsin Department of Justice-led Dose of Reality campaign to prevent prescription drug misuse. 

The campaign, now in its third year, has become a model for other states that want to use this multifaceted approach to preventing prescription painkiller abuse. Key takeaways: Create a coalition with varied partners (including the Partnership for Success members), find a champion, learn from past mistakes, engage the medical community, and anticipate implementation challenges.

  "We were committed to creating a campaign that didn't vilify anybody, but that really looked at things from a prevention standpoint," explained Christine Niemuth, Prevention Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. You'll find the article, video interviews with Niemuth, and more at this link .



"Blueprint for Peace" 
Community Briefings
December 4 & 13

The City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention is offering community briefings on its just-released Blueprint for Peace. All of the meetings -- which will provide an overview of the report's goals, strategies, and data -- are free and open to the public. 

The next meetings will be held on Monday, December 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., and on Wednesday, December 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Mitchell Street Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell Street. You can find the blueprint here.


save

Save the Date

Stairway to Heroin
Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Children who learn about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are 50% less likely to use than those who don't. Please join us to learn how you can be part of the solution to this ever-growing concern in our community.

Featured speakers include:
  • Melanie C., personal testimony
  • Dr. Timothy Westlake, Director, Emergency Department at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin
  • Detective Chris Kohl, Waukesha County Sheriff's Department
  • Chris Gleason, MA, CAADC, MAATP, Administrator of Regional Behavioral Services
  • Your Choice, A Family's Journey to Recovery
The event is presented by Your Choice Prevention Education in affiliation with Rosecrance.

The event is free and open to the public, but please register here.

For questions about this event, please contact Amy Lovell at (412) 779-4322, amylovell@redgenmilwaukee.com or Sandi Lybert at (262) 367-9901.
A resource fair will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.





CADCA's National Leadership Forum
February 5-8, 2018

Save the date for CADCA's 28th National Leadership Forum and SAMHSA's 14th Prevention Day, the premier and largest training event for community-based substance abuse prevention professionals, coalition leaders, and prevention and addiction researchers. This four-day forum will be held February 5-8, 2018, at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Early bird discounts will be offered for those registering until December 18.


Community Advocates 
Public Policy Institute
10th Anniversary Celebration
April 26, 2018
Special Guest Richard Rothstein, Author of The Color of Law

On April 26, 2018, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute will celebrate our 10th anniversary with a special night at the Milwaukee Public Museum featuring keynote speaker Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, a finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction. Local historian Reggie Jackson, Head Griot of America's Black Holocaust Museum, will also address the audience.

Guests will also enjoy private, after-hours access to the Milwaukee Public Museum's recently renovated Streets of Old Milwaukee, one of our city's treasures.  In addition, Rothstein will sign his book, which will be available for sale, and meet special guests that evening.


coalition

Coalition News

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is hosting its final 2017 Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) gatekeeper training for those interested in learning how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis. The 90-minute session will be led by a certified trainer from  Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee on  Wednesday, December 6, from 10:30 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

This QPR training is offered without charge to PPI's Brighter Futures/PHAT grantees, MCSAP coalition members, 53206 Drug-Free Community Coalition, Partnership for Success partners, City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance members, and Prevention Journal readers.

For details about the sessions, email Jeffery Roman at  jroman@communityadvocates.net or Dr. Bob Dubois at  qpr@preventsuicidemke.org


The session will be held at Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, Second Floor Community Room, 728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee. This training may be difficult for those who have recently lost a loved one to suicide. 


Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee Partner Coalition Meeting
Friday, December 8

The meeting will include the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's "Talk Saves Lives" presentation, plus holiday cheer. The meeting will be held at IndependenceFirst, 540 South First Street, Milwaukee, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. 

Trauma-Informed 
Group Facilitation Training
Wednesday, December 13
 
Milwaukee Brighter Futures Initiative staff who facilitate groups are invited to participate in this new trauma-informed training to be offered soon. Participants will examine the role that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) play in group dynamics and the facilitator's style; improve their message delivery; generate dynamic discussion and sharing; use storytelling and testimony to synthesize and deepen ideas; and more. 

The next training will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch will be provided) on Wednesday, December 13. Location is to be announced. 

Register here:   https://goo.gl/forms/D5Z3qzyk3t5y4EWm2 . Contact Prevention Services Manager Elysse Chay at EChay@communityadvocates.net if you have questions.


Motivational Interviewing Training
Wednesday, December 13 & Wednesday, December 20

Learn Motivational Interviewing during an interactive two-day training with Shawn Smith, co-founder of the Alma Institute and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. This training is offered at no cost to Milwaukee Brighter Futures/Title V grantees and includes light breakfast and bag lunch. CEUs are available per Wisconsin - DSPS 166.10. When: December 13 and December 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute's Second Floor Community Room, 728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee. Questions? Contact Shawn Smith at shawn@almacenter.org or 414-235-1930. Register here.

City of Milwaukee 
Tobacco-Free Alliance
Quarterly Meeting
Thursday, December 14
 
Join the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance's final meeting of 2017.  Spencer Straub from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services will provide an update on the "Tobacco is Changing" media campaign. The meeting will be held on Thursday, December 14, from noon to 1:30 p.m., in Community Advocates' Community Room, 728 N. James Lovell Street. Lunch will be provided. Register here.

Generation Z:
Leaders with a Purpose
Youth Empowerment Summit
Saturday, December 16
 
Young leaders are encouraged to attend this Generation Z youth empowerment summit, which will feature guest poet Jasmine F. Sims, Kaylin Jones, L. Wesley McKenzie III, Deniece Fields, and Desiree Cocroft. The summit will take place on Saturday, December 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (breakfast and lunch are provided) at the UWM Continuing School of Education, 161 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee. (Enter on Wisconsin Avenue near TJ Maxx.)  

The event, sponsored by the Milwaukee Christian Center and Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, is free but registration is required. Contact Arleta Slaughter at acobb@mccwi.org or 414-213-6889.

Transportation will depart at 8 a.m. from Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club parking lot, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd., and will return to the club at 3:30 p.m.


resourcesResources
Milwaukee COPE 
Quarterly Newsletter
November 2017

The Milwaukee Community Opioid Prevention Effort (COPE) has just released its latest quarterly report, which includes an updated opioid-related overdose report (through June 30, 2017), as well as links to community resource cards and an inventory of more than 60 local organizations working to reduce overdose deaths. 


MKE Elevate: 
A Community Health Plan

The MKE Elevate Community Health Improvement Plan, from the City of Milwaukee, is a broad blueprint for creating a healthier Milwaukee. Its three focus areas are building economic security, positive mental health, and an inclusive and fair society.


events

Events
Screening of "Reject"
Wednesday, December 6

"Reject" takes a science-based and solution-oriented look at the roots of bullying behavior and violent behavior against the self or others.  This documentary aims to raise public consciousness about the serious and potentially lethal consequences of interpersonal rejection in its many forms -- peer bullying, parental neglect (or abuse), race discrimination, and other forms of social rejection across all age groups. This free screening is sponsored by REDgen and will be held at Dominican High School, 120 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6. Click here for more information and to register.



Human Rights Day
Friday, December 8

The City of Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission and the Milwaukee County Human Rights Commission are celebrating Human Rights Day with a community celebration at Milwaukee City Hall. This is the first ever  Human Rights Day celebration at City Hall. 

The opening ceremony at noon will include speeches from Mayor Tom Barrett, Mexican Consul Julián Adem, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, and the city's LGBTQ+ Liaisons. The closing ceremony at 4 p.m. will include a speech from County Executive Chris Abele and awards from both of the commissions. 

The event includes speakers, an award ceremony, community resources, entertainment, and desserts. Details: Friday, December 8, from noon to 5 p.m., at Milwaukee City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee.

Kristen Shook Slack
Child Maltreatment Presentation
Monday, December 11

The Public Policy Committee of the Milwaukee Child Abuse Prevention Services Coalition invites you to a presentation by UW-Madison Professor Kristen Shook Slack, who conducts research on understanding the role of poverty and economic hardship on the causes of child maltreatment, including child neglect.

The presentation will be held from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. at Mental Health America of Wisconsin's Atlas Building, 600 W. Virginia Street, Suite 502, Milwaukee. Parking is available in front of the building, behind Lutheran Social Services, or on the street. Please RSVP by contacting Mary Thomas at MHThomas@uwm.edu.

Visioning Session
Tuesday, December 12

The Milwaukee County Office of African American Affairs is hosting visioning sessions facilitated by the Zeidler Center for Public Discussion. The December 12 session, located at McGovern Park Senior Center (4500 W. Custer Avenue), will focus on Youth (Re)Engagement. It will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Space is limited so registration is required. Click on this link to register and get more information.


presentationsCall for Presentations
The Wisconsin Legislative Children's Caucus 

The Wisconsin Legislative Children's Caucus is seeking presentations for its calendar year 2018 meetings. Its mission is to cultivate a legislature dedicated to advancing promising, evidence-informed public policy that improves the life of every Wisconsin child. Each meeting will include one presentation on evidence-informed programs and initiatives or research findings about what works to support the well-being of children and families. The deadline for proposals for the February 21, 2018, meeting is January 8, 2018. For more information or to download an application, go to the Wisconsin Legislative Caucus' website. 


jobs

Job Opportunities
Contact:
Elysse Chay
CA-PPI Prevention Services Manager
728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee WI 53233  |  414-270-6936