In this Issue:

• News
• Events & Webinars
• Community Resources
• Los Recursos Familial en Español
• Family Resources in English
• Job Opportunities

Spotlight On:

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute & Milwaukee County Health and Human Services



Request for Proposals:

ARPA Early Childhood Initiative

Due Friday, March 15, 2024

by 5 p.m. CST

The Community Advocates Public Policy Institute invites proposals from not-for-profit organizations or government entities servicing Milwaukee County to provide programming and services directed toward early childhood.

Funding is made available through the Milwaukee County DHHS Children Youth & Family Services (CYFS). Early childhood has broad and significant impacts on the overall health and wellbeing of all Milwaukee County youth and their families. The economic and health costs of not having a robust early childhood system are substantial. The most effective way to address these issues is to invest in building a stronger system.

The Community Advocates Public Policy Institute will allocate approximately $800,000 in early childhood and family strengthening funding in 2024 based on this Request for Proposal’s competitive application process. It is estimated that 5-6 projects will be funded with a maximum grant award of $135,000.

All applications are due Friday, March 15, 2024, by 5 p.m. Central Standard Time. Review of applications will begin promptly, approved proposals will be notified of the funding no later than Friday, March 29, 2024, for a contract start date of Monday, April 1, 2024. All funding must be expended no later than August 31, 2025.

News

Stay Strong MKE 2024 

Request for Proposals

Due February 29, 2024, by 4 p.m.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute invites proposals from not-for-profit organizations or government entities servicing Milwaukee County to provide programming and services directed toward the prevention of alcohol and other drug use and misuse among Milwaukee County residents of all ages.

Funding is made available through the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. Substance use and misuse have broad and significant impacts on the overall health and wellbeing of all Milwaukee County residents. The economic and health costs of substance abuse are substantial. The most effective way to address these issues is to prevent them.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute will allocate approximately $300,000 in AODA (Alcohol and Drug Abuse) prevention funding in 2024 based on this Request for Proposal’s competitive application process. It is estimated that 10 projects will be funded with a maximum grant award of $30,000.

City of Milwaukee Request for Proposals

The City of Milwaukee Office of Community Wellness and Safety has released three Requests for Proposals (RFPs):

Credible Clinicians and Healers Network

The Office of Community Wellness and Safety is seeking up to twenty-five (25) licensed mental health clinicians and professional healers to provide services to people who survived violence or who are impacted by the effects of violence. Close Date: March 5, 2024, 4:30 p.m. CST

Summer of Healing

The Office of Community Wellness and Safety is seeking to award multiple community-based organizations who promote healing, restorative practices, and resiliency by using evidence-based practices up to $50,000.00 each. Awardees will lead activities during the summer to support youth and/or their families who reside in Milwaukee’s Promise Zones or other communities disproportionately affected by violence. Close Date: March 19, 2024, 4:30 p.m. CST



Youth Leadership, Resilience, and Healing Curriculum

The Office of Community Wellness and Safety is seeking an organization to develop and implement a curriculum that teaches youth the skills needed to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based violence prevention strategies. Close Date: March 5, 2024, 4:30 p.m. CST

Through a hypothetical case study, following the day of a local public health practitioner, this self-paced, on-demand training from Region V Public Health Training Center explores: 1) The myriad ways that racism and bias can be operationalized in the everyday practice of public health; 2) Why being explicit about microaggressions, bias, and racism is foundational to eliminating racial health disparities; and 3) Practical strategies for addressing racism, bias, and microaggressions as essential aspects of everyday practice in public health. CEUs are available. 

If you have a question about your substance use or if you’re concerned about a loved one’s drinking or drug use, just click on the link to ask it. Your anonymous and confidential questions will help the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth have a real conversation about alcohol and other drug use in Wisconsin.

This webinar from the South Southwest PTTC will draw from both historical perspectives and recent events, along with research findings, to unveil the alcohol industry’s role in creating and perpetuating social, economic, and health inequities. Additionally, it will examine evidence-based alcohol policies aimed at alleviating inequities and addressing social justice issues. The session is designed for community coalition coordinators and members who are prepared to engage in policy and social change, ultimately transforming the community's relationship with alcohol and those who profit from its production and sale. It will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on February 27.

As vital asset in our community is our water—but we often take it for granted. Join this virtual Lunch and Learn with Milwaukee leaders who are addressing the business of water as well as its quality and affordability. What’s happening in the community? Which policies can improve equity, health, and prosperity? On Wednesday, February 28, please join our panel discussion with these stakeholders:

• Jennifer Bolger Breceda, Executive Director, Milwaukee Riverkeeper 
• Jackie Q. Carter, Director, Port Milwaukee
• Jane E. T. Islo, Administration Manager, Milwaukee Water Works

A Q&A will follow the panelists’ presentations.

This Zoom session will be held from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on February 28. All are welcome to attend, but a recording of the discussion will be made available exclusively to PPI Members.

How well do you cope with stress? And can stress ever be good for you?

In this two-hour webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify the early warning signs of stress, types of stress, and effects of stress
• Understand positive and negative coping styles, plus your personal coping style
• Learn specific skills to cope well with and thrive from stress

This session is organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on February 28, and is free and open to everyone.

As prevention professionals, we can’t overlook the importance of "soft skills" because they’re the very tools that allow us to interact successfully with others. Join the Southeast PTTC for Session 3 of their Practical Skills in Prevention Series, "Make the Magic Happen in a Meeting." The three-hour webinar begins at 8 a.m. on February 28. From developing attendance strategies and strong agendas to avoiding disasters in meetings and encouraging meaningful participation, you’ll learn new ideas to help everyone at your meeting feel their time was well spent.

This workshop provides an introduction to state of the art, empirically supported family-based suicide risk management practices to help therapists and clinical staff manage suicide concerns when they arise.

Participants will learn about trauma informed care; adolescent and family development; the national concern about adolescent suicide risk; a family-centered care approach to risk assessment and safety planning; and strategies for engaging families into the treatment process and how to conduct a first family session. Lecture, discussion, experiential exercises, and therapy videos are used throughout the workshop. This webinar is organized by UW-Green Bay and the fee is $35. CEUs are available. 

Using an Indigenized framework this webinar will share knowledge to assist providers to think through culturally responsive best practices when providing services to LGBTQ+ immigrants. This webinar will also share information on how to support LGBTQ+ immigrants in their own communities, as well as ways to address the barriers they face in accessing and receiving care. This session from the LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity Center of Excellence will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on March 5.

The Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center are partnering to help individuals currently looking to remove past evictions from their CCAP Search. This free clinic will be held on Thursday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Community Advocates building, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. This event is currently open to individuals with dismissed evictions and completed payment plans only. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments preferred. Milwaukee County cases only. 

This workshop provides an introduction to state of the art, empirically supported family-based suicide risk management practices to help therapists and clinical staff manage suicide concerns when they arise. Participants will learn about trauma informed care; adolescent and family development; the national concern about adolescent suicide risk; a family-centered care approach to risk assessment and safety planning; and strategies for engaging families into the treatment process and how to conduct a first family session. Lecture, discussion, experiential exercises, and therapy videos are used throughout the workshop. This webinar is organized by UW-Green Bay and the fee is $35. CEUs are available. 

The Central East & Southeast PTTCs are pleased to present this week-long Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Southeast Regional SPTAC Team. Uncover the secrets of successful focus group facilitation in this session. From creating a welcoming atmosphere to managing group dynamics, learn the essentials of guiding discussions that yield valuable qualitative data. This 5-part series will be held from March 11 through March 15, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon each day. 

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 two-hour interactive introduction to suicide awareness and prevention will also cover statistics and intervention strategies. It’s organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on March 18.

Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. This training is organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 19 via Zoom. 

The Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee (ECOM) is a monthly gathering of social services professionals and advocates organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. ECOM meets the third Wednesday of the month throughout the year and explores topics that are vital to Milwaukee’s human services professionals. March’s topic is Medicaid/Insurance Training & W2.

Fee is $5 for light refreshments and materials and can be paid via credit card. Registrations are not refundable. ECOM will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on March 20; location TBD.

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. This session is organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on March 25 via Zoom.

Hey, there,

-- do you have:



• Job openings?
• Upcoming events?
• News to share?
• Suggestions?

Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net.

Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!

National Prevention Week, May 12

National Prevention Week is happening May 12, 2024, through May 18, 2024. New this year is #MyPreventionStory, an invitation from SAMSA to be a part of the national conversation celebrating efforts to prevent substance misuse or promote mental health. An ongoing virtual campaign, #MyPreventionStory provides a powerful avenue to demonstrate that prevention happens every day and not just during the second week of May. You can access resources to highlight your community’s NPW (or any other time!) efforts with this toolkit and plan activities throughout the year. Access the resources.

Partnership to End Addiction (Asociación para acabar con la adicción)

Partnership to End Addiction ofrece una amplia variedad de consejos para los cuidadores que se enfrentan a la prevención del abuso de sustancias y a la gestión de la recuperación del abuso de sustancias. Aprende más.

Programa de intervención familiar (FIP)

Objetivo del programa de intervención familiar es eliminar importantes barreras que impiden latinos y afroamericanos individuos y familias de buscar servicios de asesoría tradicional. Este programa de manejo de caso intensivo, basado en el hogar, enfoque familiar ofrece servicios de apoyo a las familias que luchan con el impacto de la adicción a la sustancia y la violencia doméstica. Servicios son proporcionados sin costo a la familia. Para obtener más información sobre el programa de intervención familiar, por favor llame a 414-270-4600. Aprende más.

Partnership to End Addiction

Partnership to End Addiction offers a wide variety of tips for caregivers navigating prevention of substance misuse and managing recovery from substance abuse. Learn more.

Veterans Crisis Line

Military veterans experiencing a suicidal crisis can receive free treatment at any VA or non-VA health facility. Veterans do not have to be enrolled in the VA system to receive this benefit, which includes free emergency suicide care, transportation, and follow-up care for up to 30 days of inpatient and 90 days of outpatient care. Veterans Crisis Line.

Positive Options for Women Entering Recovery

Are you worried about your drinking or 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 FREE day treatment for women struggling with alcohol and other drug issues. Click here to learn more or call 414-270-4600 to get help.

Family Intervention Program (FIP)

Struggling with drug and alcohol use can make you feel alone. Not being able to find a counselor who understands your unique treatment needs can make things even harder. The Family Intervention Program is a no-cost, bilingual English and Spanish drug and alcohol treatment program specifically designed for Black and Latinx individuals and families in Milwaukee. To learn more about the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Family Intervention Program, please call 414-270-4600 or click this link.

Job Opportunities

• Courage MKE: C2 Apartments Resident Advocate
• 4C for Children: Child and Adult Food Program Field Representative
• 4C for Children: Master Trainer
• Milwaukee Christian Center: Director of Programs
• Spotted Eagle Inc.: Executive Director
• Spotted Eagle Inc.: Workforce Development Case Manager
• Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center: Director of Crisis Services
• Wisconsin Department of Children and Families: Bureau of Youth Services Director
• Wisconsin Humane Society: Youth Programs Specialist
• The Women’s Center: Intake Specialist
• The Women’s Center: Rapid Re-Housing Project Manager

This newsletter was created and delivered to you thanks to the financial support of Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services Behavioral Health Services and other funders.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute | 414-270-2950 

ppi.communityadvocates.net