The Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services "Better Ways to Cope" campaign is providing a funding opportunity for nonprofits that lead primary prevention initiatives and connects Milwaukee County residents to treatment services. Funding applications are due Monday, June 6, by 5 p.m. To view the funding application, click here.

Community Advocates is offering a virtual De-Escalation Techniques training to teach participants how to defuse a situation and increase safety using verbal de-escalation techniques. This workshop is aimed toward individuals who encounter conflict in the workplace, at home, or in the community, whether you are a parent or educator, work in the helping professions, or otherwise work with the public in potentially tense situations. This online workshop is free and open to anyone who lives or works in Milwaukee County. It will be held via Zoom on Thursday, May 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. To register, click here.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration proposed new rules to prohibit menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, substances which have been affecting communities all across the country for decades. This new policy is described as "lifesaving" as it is bound to prevent future generations from addiction and save many more lives. Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance are among many Wisconsin organizations who support the FDA's decision to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. In Wisconsin, tobacco use has been the number one cause of death and Big Tobacco companies will continue to utilize flavors to target youth and vulnerable communities all across the country unless something is done. This new policy would benefit public health all across the country and save the future of our youth. To read more, click here.

Milwaukee County residents and community leaders put mental health at the top of the list of health issues, according to the 2021 Milwaukee Health Care Partnership’s Community Health Needs Assessment. They also chose violence, drug use/overdose, alcohol, and access to health care as pressing health needs. The needs assessment, conducted every three years, sheds light on health risk factors, behaviors, root causes, and contributing community factors. New this year is an emphasis on addressing racism and discrimination as key determinants of health. You can read the entire report and access more data at HealthCompassMilwaukee.org.

Safe Families for Children will be hosting their 2022 Community Forum with keynote speaker, Curtis Thompson, M.D., who will discuss exploring the interpersonal neurobiology of building healthy communities through eradicating shame. This event will be held virtually though Zoom on Thursday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register for this forum, click here.

Join the American Red Cross during their Sound the Alarm community volunteer opportunity to prevent home fires, including installing free smoke alarms and sharing safety information in at-risk communities. This event will be held Saturday, May 21, from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Milwaukee Fire Department Station 12, 2130 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee. To register, click here.

Community Advocates is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid workshops to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Community Advocates will offer this session via Zoom at no cost on Friday, May 27, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. It's open to Milwaukee County residents and those who work with them. To register for this training, click here.

The Center for Urban Population Health will be hosting a virtual BIPOC Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training. This is a three-month training series which includes training sessions, learning communities, a mentor match, and a project. This training will help attendees learn basic knowledge and skills needed by BIPOC in order to reduce behavioral health disparities and improve wellness. The application deadline for this training is Friday, May 20, and the first training session will begin on Tuesday, June 7. Click here for more information and access to the application.

The Disability Rights Wisconsin PAIMI Advisory Council is hosting a virtual event called "Mental Health Advocacy Assistance: Information and Input." This event will help others discuss ways to engage and support people using self-advocacy, create a space to share ideas on supporting individual with mental health needs and more. This event will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 1, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required; click here to register.

 

The Intersection of Lived and Learned Experiences On Civility In The Workplace (Tuesday, June 7 10:30-12:30): The impact of up to five generations working side by side in the workplace presents a plethora of experiences that can evolve and challenge authentic relationships. Each generation has a unique experience and understanding of the concept of respect, hard work ethic, and civility. How each of these are defined will influence how individuals recognize and respond to the world around them. As we become more intentional about shared definitions we are more inclined to actively participate in contributing to a desired Organizational Culture. Register here.

Crucial Conversations, Critical Thinking, and the Art of Asking Better Questions (Tuesday, June 14 10:30-12:30): This session will focus on a very tactical approach to seeking clarity and addressing challenges and concerns efficiently and effectively. Participants will be provided a ‘guided tour’ of the elements of thought to understand how we think and what questions we should be teaching people to ask themselves BEFORE they publicly proclaim something a problem. Participants will also be introduced to very specific questions to ask which results in clarity for both parties to manage expectations of how and when to respond. Register at this link.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is providing a Mental Health and Wellness resource guide for community members in the Milwaukee County such as adults, families, teens & kids. The resource guide provides a list resources for behavioral health, treatment, support groups and more. To access this resource guide, click here.