In this Issue:

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

Spotlight On:

Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder

As the winter holidays are upon us, many Wisconsinites find themselves struggling to adjust to shorter and colder days, raising the risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). As a result, many turn to alcohol as a means to cope but this is a dangerous coping mechanism. While drinking may temporarily dull difficult or painful feelings, it has the potential to lead to long term damage.

Instead of reaching for a drink, try a delicious new mocktail beverage from Community Advocates Mocktail recipe playlist. No matter if you choose a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary or a Rosemary Mule, you're bound to find a drink you love with all of the flavor and none of the risks.

News

Community Advocates is hiring! We're looking to add a Therapeutic Intervention Specialist to our Milwaukee Family Intervention Services team.

The Therapeutic Intervention Specialist will provide intensive, short-term, family counseling designed to address referring behaviors (i.e., curfew violations, running away) from a relational, family-based perspective to improve family relationships and prevent Child Welfare and Youth Justice system entry. 

The WI SUPST is a foundational course of study in substance use prevention. Grounded in current research and SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework, WI SUPST is designed to help participants develop the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective, data-driven prevention that reduces behavioral health disparities and improves wellness.

This session sponsored by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth will be held February 6, 7 & 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is calling all youth ages 14-18 to submit their best ideas for community strategies on youth awareness, education, and prevention around the dangers of fentanyl, with a special focus on preventing overdose deaths from fake pills and other contaminants.

Submissions can be sent until February 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. Judging will be conducted throughout February and March before a winner is announced in April 2024.

The top 6 ideas will be awarded a $5,000 prize each, and up to 25 youth will receive a $2,000 honorable mention prize.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is seeking the perspective of people with lived experience as they transform Wisconsin's system of care for people experiencing mental health and substance use emergencies. Help them understand how comfortable people with lived experience are working in crisis services and how people with lived experience are currently working in crisis services. The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on December 23.

Neglect is a complex and wicked problem, but it’s one that host Luke Waldo believes is preventable if we work together to reimagine how we as a society support families overloaded by stress. Join Waldo and the Institute for Child and Family Well-Being on the "Overloaded: Understanding Neglect" podcast to discover some of the strategies that can help make that belief a reality for both families and communities.

The conversations begin with Season 2 of Overloaded: Understanding Neglect wherever you listen to your podcasts. Then come back each week on Wednesday to listen to the rest of the series. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is launching its next round of Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse in January and invites you to join them to explore how this flagship initiative can help you showcase your community-based prevention programming.

Join SAMHSA on Tuesday, December 12, from 1 to 2 p.m., to learn how your community can use Communities Talk to support your local prevention efforts, hear what the 2024 cycle has to offer and how to register to host an event, and check out the experiences of past Communities Talk organizers through their success stories and campaign resources. This event is free but registration is required.

Join the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force for presentations by Judge Carl Ashley, chair of the Milwaukee Community Justice Council, and Dr. Lia Knox, who will provide supportive tools and considerations for individuals and families during the holidays. There will also be small group discussions on 2024 priorities and goals.

The December MHTF meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 12, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Independence First, 540 S. First St. There will also be a virtual option via Zoom. Registration is required.

Parenting with Pride

Tuesday, December 12

Parenting with Pride is a support group hosted by the LGBT Center of South East Wisconsin for parents of queer, trans, and gender non-conforming youth to connect, share, and grow alongside fellow parents of LGBT+ children.

The group meets via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month at from 5 to 6 p.m. and any and all parents of LGBT+ children are encouraged to attend.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will be hosting a webinar to educate non peer specialists about the role peer specialists provide when it comes to mental health. This session will be held on December 13 at 1 p.m. To register, click on the button below.

Maximus will host a community resource job fair event, which will feature a number of local employers and resources, including Community Advocates, who will be there to answer questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program.

This even will be held on Thursday, December 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Maximus Century City Tower, located at 4201 N. 27th St. Registration is required by contacting Mildrea Hood by clicking on the button below.

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 webinar from the Northeast and Caribbean ATTC will be held on December 14, 1 to 3 p.m.

Join MKE Elevate as they celebrate the official release of the 2023-2028 MKE Elevate Community Health Improvement Plan. This plan is a community-driven, collaborative effort, and organizers look forward to celebrating it together with all who have provided input, joined an action team, signed on as an implementation partner, or are interested in learning more. Food and beverages will be provided. 

The launch party will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on December 14 at Nō Studios, 1037 W. McKinley Ave, Milwaukee. Email mkeelevate@milwaukee.gov with any questions.

On December 15, from 1 to 2 p.m., join the Brookings Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative for a policy-focused conversation on community well-being. Panelists will discuss what well-being is, the work they have conducted in a variety of communities on well-being, and the strategies and policy approaches that are important to putting diverse communities on the path to well-being and equity.

The Milwaukee Diaper Mission will be will be distributing FREE diapers on Friday, December 15, at Wellpoint Care Network from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to free diapers, free baby wipes and other community resources will be provided. To learn more, download the flyer by clicking on the button below.

Despite the demands of a profession in the health and behavioral health care disciplines, providers are dedicated to their craft and enjoy a deep satisfaction from helping others. But with the job are pressures and at times unanticipated factors that can increase susceptibility to exhaustion leading to compassion fatigue and other occupational hazards, referred to as "the cost of caring for others." 

This webinar, organized by the Northeast and Caribbean ATTC, will be held on December 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

LGBTQIA people are much more than their sexual orientation and gender identity. This interactive webinar combines the perspectives and practices of both Cultural Humility and Motivational Interviewing, inviting participants to consider how these approaches, used in tandem, can enhance engagement and retention of LGBTQIA people.

This event will be held on Monday, December 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. and organized by the Northeast and Caribbean ATTC.

Professional boundaries set the parameters of effective and appropriate interaction between professionals and the people they serve. Boundaries protect clients and patients as well as providers. This interactive course will discuss professionalism and ethics, dual relationships, and how to build a safe working environment. This is an OASAS-approved ethics training.

This event will be held on Thursday, December 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. by Northeast and Caribbean ATTC. Registration is required and must be completed no later than December 21.

Have questions about child support? Employ Milwaukee is here to help answer them at Fathers Legal Rights Nights, held at Employ Milwaukee's 27th street location, 2342 N. 27th St., on December 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions about non payment of child support, driver's license recovery, and receive free legal advice.

For more information, contact Frederick Nelson at frederick.nelson@EmployMilwaukee.org or by calling 414-270-1738.

As LGBTQ+ populations confront a wave of prejudice, it is more critical than ever to understand both the history and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and organizations.

Led by Frederick Harris, founder and Clinical Director of New Beginnings Counseling Center, this session will offer participants a safe and welcoming environment to explore the trauma, marginalized identity, and discrimination that often confront people who identify as LGBTQ+.



Frederick will encourage a hopeful and proactive dialogue to give professionals deeper insight into the ways that we can support LGBTQ+ people and their allies.

This virtual event will be held on January 9, 2024, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. This will be a free event but registration in advance is required.

SAMHSA’s 20th Prevention Day (SPD) takes place on Monday, January 29, 2024, in conjunction with CADCA National Leadership Forum at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Join SAMHSA for the largest annual national gathering dedicated to advancing the prevention of substance use and misuse.

They’ll celebrate the 20th anniversary of SPD, explore current innovations, reflect on past accomplishments, and chart a course for the future of prevention. Get ready for an engaging and inspiring day packed with presentations, activities, networking, and more! This day-long event is free but registration is required.

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!

The GED + Healthcare Customer Service Program

The joint GED and Health Care Customer Service program offers program participants the opportunity to earn both their GED and train for a career in healthcare. To learn more or to discuss your career goals, contact the Greater Milwaukee Urban League or Employ Milwaukee.

Affordable Connectivity Program

If you're struggling to get access to reliable or affordable Internet, the Affordable Connectivity Program may be able to help. This program has already connected 20 million households to the internet and has a wide net of eligibility. Find out how to save on your Internet bill by clicking the link below.

Servicios de atención médica en Español

Si necesitas atención médica y prefieres servicio en Espanol visitanos en Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers y te podemos ayudar.

Free HIV Testing Services

December is HIV/AIDS awareness month and the CDC recommends that all Americans 13-64 get tested at least once a year as part of routine health care. To schedule your FREE HIV test, contact Vivent Health by phone at (414) 273-1991 or by schedule an appointment online. Eligible individuals may also qualify for free at-home HIV tests and eligibility can be assessed by a qualified testing counselor.

Teen Mental Health

Do you want to learn more about how you can help your teenager's mental health? Visit the CDC's teen mental health page to learn more about increasing resiliency, promoting healthy coping skills, and learn how to better talk to your child about their mental health and wellbeing.

Job Opportunities

• Cathedral Center: Shelter Case Manager
• City of Milwaukee: Disease Intervention Specialist 1
• Community Advocates: Therapeutic Intervention Specialist
• Courage House: Courage House Americorp Position
• Curative Care Network: Family Service Coordinator
• JusticePoint: Screening Specialist
• Lotus Legal Clinic: Bilingual Survivor Advocate
• Medical College of Wisconsin: Violence Interrupter
• Milwaukee Community Justice Council: Council Director
• Molina Healthcare: Case Manager
• Molina Healthcare: Eligibility Screener
• Next Door: Head Start Teacher
• Pathfinders: CORE Peer Support Specialist
• The Women's Center: Shelter Advocate Weekend 3rd shift
• The Women's Center: Youth Engagement Advocate
• Urban Rural Action: County Coordinator, Uniting to Prevent Targeted Violence (UPTV) – Walworth, Waukesha, Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee

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