Milwaukee’s prevention community got creative when they raised awareness of the importance of substance abuse prevention during Red Ribbon Week 2019 (October 17-31).

"We want to carry the spirit of Red Ribbon Week with us throughout the year," said Amanda Clark, Coordinator of the 53206 Drug-Free Communities Project.

We hope everyone is cheering on the eighth grade students at Story School, who designed a banner with positive messages, then displayed it in a hallway for their fellow students to see. The students participate in The Parenting Network’s offering of the Botvin LifeSkills Training curriculum, thanks to Stay Strong Milwaukee grant funding. Story School’s banner was featured on the national Red Ribbon Campaign’s Facebook page.

The wonderful staff at Pathfinders’ Youth Outreach Drop-In Center organized a signing of the Red Ribbon Campaign pledge to "grow up safe, healthy and drug free." With staff encouragement, we know that the Pathfinders youth will carry on this message in their own lives and lead by example among their peers. 

The youth and staff of Neu-Life Community Development pledged to live healthy and substance-free lives at their Youth Work Innovation Center, Gwen T. Jackson Elementary School Safe Place, and Brown Street Academy Safe Place. The Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention (MCSAP) coalition provided Neu-Life with MCSAP-branded hats and Red Ribbon-themed pencils, bookmarks, and stickers.

The Milwaukee Fire Department got into the spirit by placing magnetic red ribbons on its vehicles, a very public statement of support. MFD has been a critical partner in preventing and responding to the substance abuse crisis Milwaukee currently faces and we are grateful for their continued support.

The members of the Substance Abuse Prevention Grantee Collaborative wrote messages in support of prevention when they met for their quarterly meeting. All of the partner agencies deliver prevention programming to youth as part of the Milwaukee Brighter Futures Initiative and Stay Strong Milwaukee. They meet quarterly to network and develop their skills in gatherings organized by PPI’s Contract Monitor Jan Buchler and Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator Jeremy Triblett.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute’s prevention team organized a pop-up resource fair in its downtown office’s reception area on October 29. The team handed out 36 medication lock boxes, and more than 50 each of Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention (MCSAP) coalition water bottles and Red Ribbon Week bookmarks and pencils, along with brochures and Halloween candy. A number of adults filled out the pledge to do their part to create a drug-free community. Even better, the team was able to have meaningful conversations with visitors, many of whom have a personal connection to someone coping with a substance abuse issue and want to do all that they can to prevent more harm from developing.

"We had such a productive day that we are planning more pop-up resource fairs in Community Advocates’ offices to meet the community where they are and make sure we are responding to their needs," said Kasaundra Brown, MCSAP Coordinator. 

Is the New Deal Era dead? Not at all, argues David Riemer in Putting Government in Its Place: The Case for a New Deal 3.0. In fact, it’s the perfect time to update it to address our current needs and disparities. Riemer, the founding director of Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, will launch his book at Boswell Book Co., 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. RSVPs are encouraged to help us plan for the evening. Register here.

The City of Milwaukee is seeking citizen input as part of its five-year HUD Consolidated Plan. Your input can help to guide housing development and home repair programs, address infrastructure needs, services for youth, small business assistance, and workforce supports through 2024. Take the survey at ConPlanMKE.org and you could win a prize!

The Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Conference is for educators, coalition members, first responders, mental health professionals, health care providers, college students, people with lived experience of suicide, and anyone with an interest in suicide prevention efforts in Wisconsin. 

Prevent Suicide Wisconsin looking for breakout sessions. To submit a proposal for a 75- or 90-minute breakout session for the PSW Conference on April 29, please see the  Call for Presentations survey link to submit your information. The deadline to submit proposals is November 22.



Preconference trainings will be held on April 28, and the conference itself is scheduled for April 29 at the Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells. Registration will open in spring of 2020.

The Alliance for Wisconsin Youth is presenting this intensive two-day training for coalition coordinators with breakout sessions on specific substances, prevention CEUs, and Comedy Sportz. It’ll be held at the Milwaukee Sheraton-Brookfield on March 25 and 26, 2020. Contact Jazzmyne Adams with questions at [email protected].

Join United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and Community Advocates Public Policy Institute for a conversation with author and social activist Tom Sheridan, moderated by Paul Schmitz, CEO of Leading Inside Out.

A social worker by training and one of Washington D.C.'s top lobbyists, Tom's advocacy wins include The Ryan White Care Act, The Americans With Disabilities Act, Bono's One Campaign, and the creation of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. Tom will share his call-to-action for greater non-profit advocacy as found in his new book, Helping the Good Do Better: How a White Hat Lobbyist Advocates for Social Change .

Helping the Good Do Better will be available for purchase courtesy of Boswell Books ($28 per copy).

RSVP here for this free community event.

MC3 Bridge Builders and Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division are sponsoring this free screening of the documentary A New High , which explores how mountain climbing is used to help men and women experiencing homelessness and substance abuse in Seattle find strength and recovery. A New High will be shown at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, at Martin Luther King Community Center, 1531 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee. Please register at this link , and you’ll get free popcorn, too!

All are welcome to attend the monthly Policy Committee meeting of the Milwaukee Child Abuse Prevention Services Coalition , coordinated by the Public Policy Institute. It will meet from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 11, at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, 225 W. Vine St., Milwaukee. 

Wisconsin Family Ties' Children Come First Conference is for those caring for, working with, or concerned about the well-being of children and young adults with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Some scholarship funding will be available for parents/primary caregivers who would otherwise be unable to attend. This year’s theme is "cooperation." The conference will be held November 11 and 12 at Glacier Canyon Lodge at Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells. Get details and register here .

The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force is hosting the fifth annual Karen Avery Forum, Tuesday, November 12, at Independence First . This year's theme is "Pathways to Employment: Opportunities, Rights and Resources." Get details and register here .

ManpowerGroup and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County are organizing this free, one-day, cutting-edge job seminar for local women who are looking to boost their skills and confidence, find a job or explore new career options. Participants will gain an updated professional resume; polish networking and job interview skills; enhance understanding of how to build your network and sell yourself; create new employer and job connections; build relationships with local professional mentors; enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch; and be eligible for fantastic raffle prizes and giveaways. Please RSVP at this link by November 8.

The signs of crisis are all around us. How do you approach youth and adults who are showing signs that they want to die? You need to ask questions, persuade them to have a conversation, and refer them to professionals who can help. After this training, you will be able to reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention techniques. It will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on November 19 at Community Advocates Training Center, 6900 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee. This training is sponsored by ReCast MKE through the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention in partnership with Community Advocates Public Policy Institute . RSVPs are required for this free community event. Please RSVP now at this link .

This is a tabletop game experience that builds an understanding of the powerful role of experiences on early brain development. If your organization or community is embarking on a conversation about adverse childhood experiences, toxic stress, or other early childhood issues, The Brain Architecture Game can be a valuable resource for creating a common understanding of and a common language about these topics. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on November 21 at the Timbers Building, 700 W. Virginia St., Milwaukee. This free community event requires registration. Please RSVP at this link . This training is sponsored by ReCast MKE through the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention in partnership with Community Advocates Public Policy Institute .

The Wisconsin Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Board has posted an interactive learning activity to enhance your knowledge of the Five Protective Factors in just 15 minutes. Check it out here. The Board also offers a 30-minute learning activity on the role of the parent co-presenter at this link.

Prevent Child Abuse America created this fact sheet on the benefits of investing in prevention for businesses.

This report from Casey Family Programs delves into what we know about the return on investment in preventing child maltreatment.

The National Disability Rights Network just released its new report on the "mis-incarceration" of youth with disabilities in the correctional system.