In this Issue:

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

Spotlight On:

Now Open: 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.

News

Black History Month, celebrated in February, is a good time to reflect on the invaluable protective factors within the African American community and culture which can be passed down to younger generations. Some of these protective factors include cultural pride, involvement in positive activities, acts of kindness, and awareness of substance risks. 

February 2024 marks the observance of Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements, contributions, and history (past and present) of Black Americans. Although Black Americans have similar rates of mental illness compared to the population at large, they are less likely to receive guideline-consistent care, be included in research, and utilize mental health services. This lack of access to effective care is driven by a number of factors, including poverty, mass incarceration, provider bias, discrimination, lack of culturally-responsive and diverse providers, and stigma. The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network has collected a number of resources that can help to close these disparities and promote the mental health of African Americans.

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.

Mental Health America of Wisconsin (MHA), with support through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services/Division of Care and Treatment Services, is inviting applications from eligible entities to participate in the 10th Annual Wisconsin Zero Suicide Training (WZST) and subsequent learning community.

Zero Suicide is a long-term commitment to quality improvement that includes both a cultural shift and a set of best practices in addressing suicide prevention within health and behavioral health care organizations. The live online three-day training includes presentations from state and national Zero Suicide faculty on the seven elements of the Zero Suicide framework, suicide care resources and tools, examples of different types of organizations that have implemented the Zero Suicide framework, and breakout group implementation planning sessions. Teams will be supported by faculty in developing action plans to begin this process. Trainings will be held via Zoom on June 26, 27, and 28.

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.

The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force’s February meeting will focus on a celebration of Black History Month and includes following presenters:

• Jessica Perez, CPS-LC Trainer & Engagement Coordinator from Chrysalis in Madison. Discussing a statewide grant from the Department of Health Services. Learn about becoming part of the cohort if you offer services to underserved populations.
• Ko-Thi Dance Company Live, Artistic Director, Sonya Thompson. Founded in Milwaukee, Ko-Thi Dance Company has been a beacon of African and Caribbean dance traditions since 1969, bringing continuity, faith and love to audiences worldwide.
• Brenda Wesley and Terri Ellzey, presenting from The ASK (Access, Support, Knowledge) Series, a sample of "Why is the Village Burning?, addressing generational trauma and mental health in the black community.
• Montreal Cain, Founder of MERA WI, presenting on Black Inventors in the realm of Mental Health and Substance Use. MERA directly works with underserved populations providing SUD and OUD services.

The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. The February meeting will be held at Independence First, 540 S. First Street. A virtual option via Zoom will also be available, but the organizers encourage you to attend in person for community and networking.

Peer professionals provide an array of recovery-oriented supports and person-centered care which include empathetic engagement with survivors of trauma circumstances. This two-hour interactive workshop from the Northeast & Caribbean ATTC will review how trauma situations may present, signs to recognize and cues alerting as to when to step away from a trauma inducing situation. Content will also offer practical strategies for self-care including ways to build resiliency. It will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on February 16.

Participants will increase awareness about sexual orientation, gender identity, and how personal biases impede care and ultimately identify how to develop an environment that is LGBT user effective. This workshop organized by the Northeast & Caribbean ATTC will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. on February 16. 

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 is presented by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on February 20.

February’s WISE Coalition meeting will feature guest speakers Debra A. Valentino, Certified Recovery Coach and Certified Facilitator, and Clint Peterson, who is active in the recovery community. The meeting will be facilitated by Mark Powless, who is the General Manager over programs and services for the Oneida Nation. This virtual meeting will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on February 20.

This webinar from the Institute for Research on Poverty will explore why racial disparities in education debt burdens exist and are growing, the role of student loan debt in the racial wealth gap, and what policies and practices may help to turn the tide for Black borrowers. It will be held virtually from 1 to 2 p.m. on February 21. 

This brief, interactive learning community conversation is for those participants who are new to the evidence-based practice of Motivational Interviewing (MI). Individuals beginning their MI exploration will receive a foundational overview of this often misunderstood method of communication. Although brief, participants will conclude this introduction ready for their next step in what can grow into a fulfilling MI adventure. This session from the Northeast & Caribbean ATTC will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on February 23.

NAMI Basics is a 6-session virtual education program for parents, caregivers and other families who provide care for youths who are experiencing mental health symptoms. This program is free to participants, 99% of whom say they would recommend the program to others. The course is taught by a trained team with lived experience raising a child with a mental health condition. They know what you’re going through because they've been there too. Sessions will be held virtually on Saturdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m., from February 24 through March 30. To register, contact abusch@namisoutheastwi.org or call 414-326-3461.

Samad’s House, RISE Drug Free MKE, Vital Strategies, and Milwaukee County’s Better Ways to Cope project are sponsoring this harm-reduction drive-through event for those seeking information and resources to save lives. It’ll be held at Clinton Rose Park, 3045 N. MLK Drive, Milwaukee, from 1 to 3 p.m. on February 24.

This discussion on "breaking the generational cycle, God’s grace, and solutions" will feature Clem Richardson of Manna Behavioral Health, Tony Gardner, Angie Clemmons, and Andre Brown. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on February 24 at Welford Sanders Historic Building, 2821 Vel R. Phillips Ave., Suite 108. Contact 414-334-7022 to learn more.

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.

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. 

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. 

Hey, there,

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Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net.

Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!

MHA Information on Black and African American Communities and Mental Health

Mental Health America provides information about Black and African Americans on mental health, bipolar disorder, and depression, as well as Black mental health pioneers.

Access them here.

Guía completa sobre el TDAH

Esta guía sobre TDAH de Child Mind Institute ofrece a los padres la información que necesitan para comprender los comportamientos asociados con el trastorno y ayudarlos a tomar decisiones efectivas. Descarga la guía aquí.

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.

How Can a Peer Specialist Support My Recovery from Problematic Substance Use?

This guide from SAMHSA offers people with problematic substance use a how-to resource about working on recovery with a peer specialist. Download the guide here.

Complete Guide to ADHD

This ADHD guide from Child Mind Institute offers parents the information you need to understand the behaviors associated with the disorder to help you make effective decisions. Download the guide here.

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

• African American Roundtable: Youth Organizer
• Data You Can Use: Program Manager, Community Data and Research
• Elevate Inc.: Executive Director
• JusticePoint: Municipal Court Alternatives Case Manager
• Milwaukee Health Care Partnership: Director of Access
• Next Door Milwaukee: Early Head Start Teacher
• Next Door Milwaukee: Family Advocate Specialist
• Next Door Milwaukee: Head Start Teacher
• Pathfinders: Back-Up Youth and Family Advocates (Part Time)
• Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation: Community Outreach and Technical Assistance Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health Programs

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