To read more about alcohol consumption among youth, click here.

Did you know that more than 1.1 million kids in Wisconsin are eligible for advance payments of the expanded Child Tax Credit? Beginning July 15, parents or guardians who claim kids on their taxes will begin receiving monthly payments up to $300 per child through the end of the year. Then, when they file taxes next year, the balance of the tax credit will be paid out to them.

If parents did not file taxes in 2020 or 2019, especially because they earned low-income, the IRS may not have enough information to provide them with this tax credit. These parents or caregivers will need to let the IRS know about their situation so they can receive this money.

To help get the word out, Community Advocates is offering detailed information about the expanded Child Tax Credit, plus sign-up tools and links to resources in English and Spanish, on their website. Click on this link for more information.

Early discounted registration is available now. Click here for details and to RSVP.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Division of Care and Treatment Services received a 988 state planning grant to fund implementing a three digit calling code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. There will be a Zoom meeting discussing and providing input on how 988 can be successful in Wisconsin as well as possible challenges. The virtual meeting will take place Tuesday, June 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., click here to join.

This in-person training will be held on Wednesday, June 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Community Advocates Training Center, 6900 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee. It's provided free of charge thanks to a partnership between Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention and a ReCAST Milwaukee grant. For details and to register, click here.

This webinar discusses ways to keep joy, fun and excitement in those who work in the behavioral health workforce serving diverse clients. With COVID-19 challenging both patients and providers in behavioral health, this webinar will help empower the workforce in order to find joy and satisfaction. Join speaker Dr. Sebastian Ssempijja of Sebastian Family Psychology Practice, LLC on Wednesday, June 30, at 10 a.m. To register, click here.

This in-person training will be held on Wednesday, July 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Community Advocates Training Center, 6900 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee. It's provided free of charge thanks to a partnership between Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention and a ReCAST Milwaukee grant. For details and to register, click here.

This webinar explores how positive factors impact culture and experience in the health and safety field. The science of positive focuses on creating healthy, positive and protective factors in our communities. This helps expand their focus from problems to ways to cultivate the strengths and protective factors that keep communities strong. Join this webinar Monday, July 19, from 10 a.m. via Zoom. Click here to register.

The Public Health in Practice conference is for governmental and non-governmental public health positions that teaches skills and tools to help improve community or workplace health. Identifying the benefits of public health workforce diversity and using holistic approaches to strengthen individual talents are just some of the few objectives of this conference. Registration rates may vary and the early bird deadline ends July 16. To learn more and to register, click here.

The 2021 Wisconsin Peer Recovery Conference is a virtual Zoom event that demonstrates aspects of effective peer support within community services, mental health and substance use recovery. The conference will help enhance individual skills to provide more effective personal support. There will be a registration fee of $75 per person with scholarships available for the full amount. Information on the scholarship application form can be found here. To register for this conference, click here.

Here is a list of resources & health centers in Milwaukee, put together by MCSAP and the City of Milwaukee Tobacco Free Alliance, that support and provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. Click here to view the list on MCSAP's Facebook page.