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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: Samad's House Documentary of PBS | | |
Last month, Samad's House celebrated the release of their "Coming Home" documentary featured on PBS's Independent Lens documentary series.
The heartfelt documentary explores Tahira Malik's story of substance use disorder, help, and reconciliation. In a candid beauty shop conversation with her daughter, Tahira reveals her trauma, her pain, and her path to healing through opening Samad's House, a sober living facility for women in Milwaukee.
"Coming Home" captures the resilience, healing, and second chances made possible through the important work Samad's House is doing in our community every day.
| | 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.
| | Mental Health America's Pet and Mental Health Resource Center | |
Eighty percent of people say pets bring them happiness and emotional support. Pets provide profound healing, support, and joy in our lives. The human-animal bond is a unique connection that has proven to improve mental health. That's why Mental Health America (MHA) has partnered with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) to launch a new Pets and Mental Health Resource Center.
Within the resource center, you can find:
- Information on benefits pets can have on mental health
- Details on therapeutic support from pets
- Information for pet owners
- Considerations for those curious about being a pet owner
- Community resources
- Webinars and blogs
| | "It's Everywhere": Middle and High School Educator Perspective on Nicotine Use in Schools | |
E-cigarettes (or "vapes") remain the most common tobacco product used by middle and high school students, followed by nicotine pouches. To gauge the extent of youth vaping in schools, Truth Initiative asked middle and high school educators - including teachers, administrators, and counselors - across the U.S. to share their on-the-ground perspectives on tobacco and nicotine products, based on their day-to-day interactions with students.
As detailed in the report, stories from educators build a powerful case for stronger policies that widely restrict access to youth-appealing e-cigarettes. If widespread vaping is the "new normal" at the community level, vaping will continue to interfere with academic progress in the classroom. The report includes a Call to Action for the urgent need for stronger policies that prevent the normalization of vaping.
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De-Escalating Conflict During the Holidays
Wednesday, November 5
Wednesday, November 12
Monday, November 17
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During this virtual workshop from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, you will learn tips to help navigate conflict around the holiday table, how to prepare yourself before you go, and how to disagree with grace. 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.
The workshop will be held three times in November via Zoom. Registration is free and open to everyone.
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FOCUS: Our Stories, Our Strength
Tuesday, November 6
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FOCUS: Our Stories, Our Strength is a powerful gathering celebrating renewal, storytelling, and community connection.The initiative aims to be a renewed promise to uplift the voices of Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities most impacted by the opioid crisis.
Join Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services as they unveil FOCUS and honor the stories that remind us of our shared strength and resilience. The event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. on November 6 at HIR Wellness Institute, 3136 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee.
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Adult Mental Health First Aid
Thursday, November 13
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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 November 13. Please register by November 7.
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Unlock the Power of Protective Factors with the Social Development Strategy
Thursday, November 13
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To prevent substance misuse among youth, we must enhance protective factors and reduce risk factors. Join this webinar, hosted by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network (PTTC), to learn how to build protective factors in youth in a straight-forward, easy to implement way using the Social Development Strategy.
By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Name the elements of the Social Development Strategy
- Describe how the elements of the Social Development Strategy interact to create protective factors
- List a minimum of three ways that the Social Development Strategy can be incorporated into daily interactions and prevention strategies with youth
The webinar is scheduled from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on November 13 via Zoom.
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Cannabis and Health: What the Science Tells Us
Friday, November 14
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Cannabis is increasingly used for medical purposes, with patients and providers often weighing claims about its benefits against lingering uncertainties and misconceptions. While some evidence supports the therapeutic potential of cannabis and its products for specific medical conditions, gaps remain in our understanding of its effectiveness, mechanisms, and long-term impacts. Misleading information can complicate decisions for patients, families, and clinicians.
This webinar, hosted by the Addiction Policy Forum, will examine the scientific evidence on cannabis and health, while separating evidence-based facts from common myths. Speakers will provide an overview of what is known about cannabis' medical applications, limitations in the research, and its public health implications. Presenters will also address common myths, highlight what science has yet to establish, and provide resources for those seeking reliable information.
The webinar will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. on November 14 via Zoom.
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Parent Connections: Responding to Bullying
Monday, November 17
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The Parenting Network offers free workshops for parents and caregivers with children up to 16 years old. Participants will gain positive parenting skills to manage stress, build new healthy habits, and support a child's whole health.
Join The Parenting Network for a free Triple P Workshop on Responding to Bullying. Learn how to help your children when they have been bullied.
The workshop is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on November 17 and will be held via Zoom.
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ECOM Workshop: Veterans Services and Reentry Services
Wednesday, November 19
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The Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee (ECOM) is a monthly gathering of social services professionals, advocates, and consumers organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. ECOM explores topics that are vital to Milwaukee’s human services professionals. Each session features multiple presentations from experts and opportunities to share resources.
This month’s topic is Veterans Services and Reentry Services and will be held in person from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon on November 19. Location TBD.
Fee is $5 for light refreshments and materials and can be paid via credit card. Registrations are not refundable. Kindly make sure to RSVP by Friday, November 14.
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Engaging and Serving Young Fathers
Wednesday, November 19
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Young fathers face unique challenges and distinct barriers to participation in child and family services. In this webinar, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Institute for Research on Poverty, participants will explore the experiences and needs of young fathers, including those who are parenting with a partner and those who are parenting as a single father. The webinar will explore practice and policy approaches to strengthen engagement of young fathers and support them with knowledge and skills to help their families thrive.
The webinar is scheduled from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on November 19 and will be held via Zoom.
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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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The Shift: The US Policy Alliance Podcast
The US Policy Alliance's podcast The Shift brings together lived experience, community voices, and cutting-edge research to unpack alcohol's impact and explore the policies that can protect our health and communities. Listen on YouTube or anywhere you get your podcasts.
| | Los Recursos Familial en Español | | |
El Poder de Tomar Postura: Cómo el alcohol y la marihuana pueden afectar tu futuro
Power of Youth ofrece información basada en investigaciones sobre los peligros del consumo de alcohol y otras drogas en menores de edad. El Manual para Adolescentes prepara a los jóvenes con las herramientas necesarias para resistir la presión de grupo y les da el poder de dar el siguiente paso e influir en sus amigos para que tomen las decisiones correctas. Haz clic aquí para obtener más información.
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Cubo de las Emociones
A veces, saber cómo nos sentimos puede ser un reto, sobre todo para los niños, que tal vez no encuentren las palabras para expresar sus emociones. El Cubo de las Emociones es una herramienta divertida y económica que puedes crear y usar para ayudar a tu hijo a identificar y expresar sus emociones de forma positiva. Haz clic aquí para obtener más información.
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Supporting Young Minds
Young people today are navigating a world that often feels overwhelming and out of their control. But with the right support, they can move from feelings of helplessness to hope and action. Adult allies play a powerful role in shaping environments that are not just supportive but truly empowering. That's why Mental Health America's 2025 Supporting Young Minds materials are packed with resources and tools. Click here to check it out.
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Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent's Guide to Substance Use Prevention
This guide offers information that can help you raise children who understand the risks of substance use. The guide includes an overview of substance use among children, youth, and young adults; descriptions of some substances young people may use; a look at risk factors that may make children, youth, and young adults try alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, and protective factors that help offset those risks; suggestions for how to talk to young people about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, tailored to their age group; and tips on what to do if you suspect your child is using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Click here to check it out.
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CredibleMind's Mental Health Check In
Have you checked in lately with your mental health? Feeling blah and not sure where to get started? Find out how you're doing mentally and emotionally in the areas of flourishing, anxiety, and depression. Click here to check out CredibleMind's Mental Health Check-in, offered on South Shore CARES' website.
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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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