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In this Issue:
- News
- Events & Webinars
- Community Resources
- Los Recursos Familial en Español
- Family Resources in English
- Job Opportunities
| | Spotlight On: Catch My Breath, an Evidence-Based Youth Vaping Prevention Program | | |
As youth vaping continues to impact communities nationwide, prevention efforts that are engaging and evidence-based are more important than ever. CATCH Global Foundation's CATCH My Breath is a school-based vaping prevention program designed for students in grades 5–12. The program equips young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about e-cigarettes and navigate social pressures to vape.
Participating schools receive a free 2-hour implementation training, flexible program delivery, student surveys, and student recognition. Students will learn to resist peer pressure, analyze media influence, and set personal goals for a vape-free lifestyle.
If you're interested in bringing CATCH My Breath to your school in Milwaukee, contact Aaliyah Torres, MSW, Tobacco Prevention Educator at aaliyah.torres98@outlook.com.
| | Share Your News in the Prevention Journal | | |
Calling all Community Partners: Do you have upcoming events, news to share, or job openings? Email the information to prevention@communityadvocates.net to be featured in upcoming Prevention Journals sent to over 1,000 friends, colleagues, and social service providers each month.
| | How Milwaukee Reduced Overdose Deaths to Their Lowest Numbers in a Decade | |
A recent article from the Wisconsin Examiner highlights a promising shift in Milwaukee’s response to the overdose crisis: drug overdose deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in nearly a decade. While the impact of substance use continues to be felt across the community, this progress reflects the power of coordinated, compassionate, and data-driven prevention efforts.
The piece explores how local initiatives, particularly the Milwaukee Overdose Response Initiative (MORI), have prioritized rapid outreach, harm reduction, and meeting individuals where they are. By connecting people to resources, treatment, and basic needs support in the critical hours after an overdose, community partners are helping to build trust and create pathways to recovery.
As we recognize this progress, the article also reminds us that prevention is ongoing work. Sustained investment in harm reduction, community-based care, and equitable access to services will be essential to continuing this downward trend and ensuring that all Milwaukee residents have the support they need to thrive.
| | Safe & Sound Announces 2026 Safer Together Week | |
Safe & Sound, Inc. is hosting their 2026 Safer Together Week, happening April 6-10.
This week-long celebration brings together residents, youth, public safety partners, and community leaders to recognize the people who make our neighborhoods safer and stronger. This week is a chance to say thank you and bring people together in that shared spirit.
From appreciation events to youth activities and community gatherings, there is something for everyone. Highlights include Resident Appreciation Day, Youth Game and Pizza Night, Public Safety Open House, Donor Thank-a-Thon, and Racine Community Celebration.
| | April is Alcohol Awareness Month | | |
April marks Alcohol Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of alcohol use and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. This national observance encourages open, honest conversations about alcohol while promoting prevention, education, and access to support.
Alcohol use is often normalized in social settings, especially among youth and young adults. However, early use and misuse can have lasting effects on mental health, decision-making, and overall well-being. Prevention efforts play an important role in helping young people develop the skills and confidence to make informed choices and resist social pressures.
Alcohol Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect, learn, and work together to build healthier, more informed communities.
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Responding to Addiction
Tuesday, April 7
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This webinar, hosted by the Addiction Policy Forum, teaches participants the science of addiction and equips them with practical tools to understand and respond effectively to substance use disorders. Designed to improve helping behaviors and reduce stigma, this training strengthens community capacity to support individuals affected by addiction.
The webinar is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on April 7.
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Fair Housing Training Seminar
Thursday, April 9
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The Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council is offering free in-person seminars for owners and managers of rental properties, or staff operating residential programs or shelters, in the City of Milwaukee.
The seminar will include information about the protected classes and prohibited practices delineated by local, state, and federal fair housing laws, as well as reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities.
This seminar is scheduled for April 9 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Milwaukee Public Library, Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St., Milwaukee.
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Fostering Friendships Festival
Saturday, April 11
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Fostering Friendships Festival, hosted by Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, Inc., is a safe space for Native families to connect with their culture through crafts, games, and fun. Family activities include beading with elders, making medicine pouches, Native language games and resources, raffle drawings, and more!
The festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 11 at 930 W. Historic Mitchell St., Milwaukee.
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QPR Question Persuade Refer
Suicide Prevention Training
Tuesday, April 14
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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.
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is hosting two separate sessions of the same webinar on Tuesday, April 14:
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ECOM Workshop: Job Services, Financial Literacy, W2, and FSET
Wednesday, April 15
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The Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee (ECOM) is a monthly gathering that aims to bring social service professionals and advocates together. It is a networking, educational, and professional development opportunity, featuring multiple presentations from experts in the field.
This month’s topic is Job Services, Financial Literacy, W2, and FSET. Learn about how financial coaching can help and find support for employment planning.
ECOM will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon on April 15 and will be held at Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee.
Fee is $5 for light refreshments and materials and can be paid via credit card. Registration is not refundable. Kindly make sure to RSVP by Friday, April 10.
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Stimulant Use Disorder: Evidence-Based Interventions and Promising Approaches to Treatment
Thursday, April 16
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Stimulant use disorder is a growing public health concern, with increasing rates of methamphetamine and cocaine use nationwide. Unlike opioid use disorder, there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for stimulant use disorder, making effective treatment strategies especially critical.
Join Addiction Policy Forum for a webinar that will provide a clear, accessible overview of stimulant use disorder, including the most common types of stimulants, how it's diagnosed, and what researchers have learned so far about potential medications. It will also explore proven behavioral approaches and explain how these strategies are being used to support recovery in real-world settings.
The webinar is scheduled from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. on April 16.
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Rooted in Justice & Joy: Reimagining Black Maternal Health Through Community, Care, and Power
Thursday, April 16
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Join the Wisconsin Public Health Association Maternal and Child Health Section for Rooted in Justice & Joy: Reimagining Black Maternal Health Through Community, Care, and Power.
This event will bring together leaders across community-based care, advocacy, and public health systems. The conversation will center on advancing Black maternal health through culturally grounded care, addressing structural inequities, and uplifting pathways that center dignity and joy.
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Verbal De-Escalation Techniques
Friday, April 17
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During this virtual workshop, 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.
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is hosting two separate sessions of the same webinar on Friday, April 17:
- 10-11:30 a.m.
- 1-2:30 p.m.
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Interactive Minority Health Fair
Saturday, April 18
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Join Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin for their 3rd Annual Interactive Minority Health Fair for a day of fun activities, free brunch, and resources!
This isn't just a health fair, it's a movement. A space to connect with professionals, gain life-changing knowledge, and take charge of your well-being. The event will have resource tables to support participants' total wellness journey, a dynamic panel discussion with experts and community leaders, and a live audience Q&A.
The Interactive Minority Health Fair is scheduled on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Planned Parenthood, 5370 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee.
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Milwaukee Community Acupuncture and Cactus+ Presents: Dope is Death - A Flim by Mia Donovan
Sunday, April 19
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Dope is Death is the story of how Dr. Mutulu Shakur, stepfather of Tupac Shakur, along with fellow Black Panthers and the Young Lords, combined community health with radical politics to create the first acupuncture detoxification program in America in 1973 – a visionary project eventually deemed too dangerous to exist in America.
The film will be shown on April 19 at 2 p.m. at the Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave., Milwaukee. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
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Adult Mental Health First Aid
Tuesday, April 21
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Adult Mental Health First Aid Training provides adults with the tools to assist other adults who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis. It teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training delivered by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may need help connecting to appropriate care.
This training will be held via Zoom from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on April 21. Please register by April 17.
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Circle of Hope Support Group
Tuesday, April 21
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Hosted by Mom's Mental Health Initiative and held onsite at St. Francis Children's Center, this group meets once a month on the third Tuesday and offers a warm, welcoming space to come just as you are. Sit with other perinatal people navigating similar challenges, share stories, and begin building the kind of community and village we all deserve.
This group is open to pregnant individuals and those up to two years post-partum. To support participation, volunteer-provided childcare is available. Please note that registration is required separately for participants and for any children that participants plan to leave with the volunteer childcare.
The support group is scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. on April 21 at St. Francis Children's Center, 6700 N. Port Washington Road, Milwaukee.
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"Coffee Break" Networking for Substance Misuse Prevention Professionals
Wednesday, April 22
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Looking for a quick and easy way to connect with fellow substance misuse prevention professionals? Join the Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network (PTTC) for a series of casual, 45-minute networking sessions designed to spark conversation and collaboration. It's an opportunity to share insights, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections—all in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The next "Coffee Break" is scheduled on April 22 from 10-10:45 a.m. via Zoom.
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Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, April 25
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Too often, unused and expired medications find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. Bringing unused and expired medications to a Drug Take Back Day collection site protects you, your family, and your community.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications that can be disposed of include pills, capsules, patches, vials, pet medication, vape pens (with the battery removed), and more.
It's easy to participate! On April 25, just stop by a collection event and drop your items into a bin. No questions asked.
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10th Annual Oak Creek Health Fair
Tuesday, April 30
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Join the Oak Creek Health Department and Salvation Army Senior Center for the 10th Annual Oak Creek Health Fair, a free community event dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and local resources.
Attendees can enjoy a variety of free health screenings and activities, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, CPR and first aid demonstrations, practitioner-assisted stretching, chair massages, eyeglass cleanings and adjustments, and many more!
This event also features local vendors offering valuable information on mental and behavioral health for youth, community programs, fall prevention and fire safety, aging and disability resources, home care services, health insurance, veteran support, financial resources, and more. Guests can collect free giveaways, enter raffles, and purchase food from cash-only concessions.
The Health Fair is scheduled for April 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Salvation Army Senior Center, 8853 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek.
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Hey, there,
-- do you have:
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Job openings?
- Upcoming events?
- News to share?
- Suggestions?
Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net.
Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!
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GRASP: Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing
Anyone who has lost a loved one through substance use knows that society treats this loss differently than a death from any other cause. GRASP was created to offer understanding, compassion, and support for those who have lost someone they love through addiction and overdose. GRASP offers coping strategies, resources, and free local meetings. Click here to learn more.
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SWIM: Scaling Wellness in MKE
SWIM is a trauma-informed resource center that fosters community wellness in Milwaukee. We know that resilience and healing don't happen by accident—they are the result of concerted effort. SWIM develops solutions through collaborations that address the needs of individuals impacted by trauma, develop organizational capacities to treat and prevent trauma, and build a healthy and more resilient Milwaukee in which all the faces of trauma are addressed. Click here to learn more.
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Substance Use Recovery Counseling & Group Services
HIR Wellness Institute provides trauma-informed, healing centered counseling and group services for survivors of violence who are navigating substance use challenges. Their approach recognizes the complex intersections of trauma, violence, addiction, and healing, offering individualized support that fosters resilience, self-efficacy, and long-term recovery. Through both one-on-one counseling and group programming, participants engage in safe, culturally responsive spaces that honor their experiences, build coping skills, and strengthen connections to community and wellness resources. Click here to learn more.
| | Los Recursos Familial en Español | | |
Centro de recursos para las familias
El Centro de Recursos para Familias del Child Mind Institute es una plataforma en línea que brinda apoyo a padres y cuidadores de niños que enfrentan desafíos de salud mental, conductuales o de aprendizaje. Ofrece información accesible y basada en evidencia sobre temas como la ansiedad, el TDAH y el autismo, junto con herramientas para ayudar a las familias a comprender sus inquietudes y encontrar el apoyo adecuado. Haz clic aquí para saber más.
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¿Qué es la salud mental?
La salud mental incluye nuestro bienestar emocional, psicológico y social. Afecta la forma en que pensamos, sentimos y actuamos. También nos ayuda a determinar cómo manejar el estrés, relacionarnos con otras personas y tomar decisiones. La salud mental es importante en todas las etapas de la vida, desde la niñez y la adolescencia hasta la edad adulta. Si tienes problemas de salud mental, tu pensamiento, ánimo y comportamiento pueden verse afectados. Aprende más.
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Five for Families
April is Family Strengething Month! Every family has challenges, but they also have strengths. The 5 Strengths not only help families during tough times but make everyday life better too. Learning about your strengths can help you feel less stressed, ask for more support, and enjoy your kids more. Click here for a video introduction.
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Ambrose Place MKE
Ambrose Place is a behavioral health and family support service agency in Milwaukee empowering youth and families with tools to be emotionally, mentally, and physically balanced. They focus on the importance of developing skills for self-sufficiency, mental and behavioral health education, and emotional stability. Click here to learn more.
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Stronger Than You Know: Tools for Navigating Life's Challenges
Drugs. Alcohol. Mental health. These are very important (and often confusing) topics to consider as you're growing up. This resource guide by the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare is for adolescents and young adults affected by substance use, mental health disorders, and child welfare involvement. Click here to learn more.
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Positive Options for Women Entering Recovery
Are you worried about your drinking or other 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 day treatment for women struggling with alcohol and other drug issues. Click here to learn more or call 414-270-4600 to get help.
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