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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: Stronger Families Milwaukee | | |
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute’s Stronger Families Milwaukee program has just completed three years of this five-year prevention initiative. This pilot program was developed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and has made an impact within Community Advocates and in partnership with Neu-Life Community Development and The Parenting Network. Working together, we strive to alleviate the stress placed on parents who are struggling and empower them to focus on the most important thing – having a healthy and loving family.
"I have grown since I have been in this program and things have gotten better communication wise in my family as far as what needs to be done for our daughter,” said a graduated participant of Stronger Families Milwaukee. “That could not have been done without you guys. Thanks a bunch."
We are highlighting Stronger Families Milwaukee in conjunction with observing April as Family Strengthening Month in Wisconsin. This year, we are especially inspired by Governor Evers’ proclamation of 2025 as the “Year of the Kid,” reinforcing a statewide commitment to bolstering youth mental health, supporting the childcare industry, and prioritizing the well-being of children and families. While every month we are dedicated to strengthening families to build safe and nurturing environments for children, this month we highlight the teams and programs that do the work 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 every other week.
| | Public Allies Summer Corps | | |
Public Allies, a national network dedicated to nurturing emerging leaders who are passionate about creating positive community change, is looking for allies. This program, open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents over the age of 17, invites individuals to serve in AmeriCorps apprenticeship positions with nonprofits, tackling vital issues like youth development, education, and public health. Allies gain leadership skills, professional coaching, and the chance to make a real difference while receiving benefits such as a stipend, healthcare, and an education award. Join this diverse and impactful movement to shape a future that includes everyone.
| | Alcohol and Your Brain: A Virtual Reality Experience | | |
Explore how alcohol affects your brain through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's (NIAAA) virtual reality experience, which takes you inside the brain to see how alcohol affects regions responsible for decision-making, coordination, and memory. This engaging, science-backed tool is a great way to learn about alcohol's effects in an interactive and accessible way. Whether you're a student, educator, parent, or just curious, this is a fascinating resource to explore.
| | Build Social Bonds to Protect Health | | |
Did you know that strong social connections can be just as important for your health as diet and exercise? Research shows that maintaining close relationships can reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, and even increase lifespan. In contrast, loneliness has been linked to higher risk of conditions like heart disease and depression. The National Institutes of Health's News in Health explores the science behind social bonds and offers practical tips to help you nurture meaningful connections in your daily life.
| | Parent Peer Specialist Application | |
MKE Peer Academy is offering a free, online Certified Parent Peer Certification training funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and supported by Access to Independence.
To be selected you must be dedicated to promoting recovery opportunities in the lives of Parent Peers, have first-hand lived experience parenting a youth with social, emotional, behavioral concerns/substance use concerns, reside in Milwaukee County, have at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and be 18 years of age or older.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 18, at 12 noon.
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Escucha tus Emociones Círculo de Sanación
Friday, March 28
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Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and Escucha tus Emociones invite you to their Healing Circle, “Sound is Healing: The Medicine of Sound and Silence,” with Music Therapist Abby Jacobi. She will guide participants in a sound bath, a meditative experience that consists of listening to resonant sounds that envelop the body and restore the nervous system. This event is scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Kosciuszko Community Center at 2201 S. 7th St., on March 28.
El Instituto de Políticas Públicas de Defensores Comunitarios y Escucha tus Emociones te invitan a nuestro próximo Círculo de Sanación, “El Sonido es Sanador: La Medicina del Sonido y el Silencio”, con la musicoterapeuta Abby Jacobi. Ella nos guiará en un baño de sonido, una experiencia meditativa que consiste en escuchar sonidos resonantes que envuelven el cuerpo y restauran el sistema nervioso. Este evento está programado de 6:30 p. m. a 9:00 p. m. en el Centro Comunitario Kosciuszko, ubicado en 2201 S. 7th St., el 28 de marzo.
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Romeo + Juliet Dinner Dialogue
Monday, March 31
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Join Milwaukee Rep for dinner and a facilitated discussion around themes in the show and hear from guest speakers Elena Marking, President of Milwaukee Rep’s Teen Council, and Silver Anderson, Teen Council Vice President.
The event is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. at Café Centraal at 2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., on Monday, March 31. Cost is $30 per ticket.
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Learn-Listen-Love
Thursday, April 3
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Throughout Wisconsin, April is recognized as Family Strengthening Month. The Parenting Network (TPN) is hosting their annual Learn, Listen, Love event to celebrate the joys of parenting. Renew your commitment to strengthening Milwaukee families. Meet local author and illustrator Aaron Boyd, who will reflect on his childhood and his journey to parenthood.
This event will be held at 6 p.m. on April 3 at the Wisconsin Club at 900 W. Wisconsin Ave.
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Verbal De-Escalation Techniques
Tuesday, April 8
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During this virtual workshop from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, you will learn how to increase safety by utilizing verbal de-escalation techniques. 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.
This session will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on April 8 via Zoom.
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Teaching Cannabis Awareness and Prevention Conference
Wednesday, April 9, and Thursday, April 10
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Stanford Medicine is hosting their 6th Annual Teaching Cannabis (and Other Drugs) Awareness and Prevention Virtual Conference for anyone working with youth to learn about the latest research on youth and their use of cannabis and other drugs. The virtual conference is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 9 and 10.
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QPR Question Persuade Refer Suicide Prevention Training
Thursday, April 10
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We can all save lives.
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 interactive introduction to suicide awareness and prevention will also cover statistics and intervention strategies. This session from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on April 10.
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Resilience and Thriving: The Secret Power of Stress
Wednesday, April 30
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How well do you cope with stress? And can stress ever be good for you? Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is offering Resilience and Thriving, a two-hour webinar in which participants will be able to identify early warning signs of stress, types of stress, and effects of stress. Participants will learn specific skills to cope well with and thrive from stress, and understand positive and negative coping styles, plus their personal coping style! This session is open t o everyone and is offered free of charge.
This session is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. on April 30.
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Mental Health and Wellness Powwow
Saturday, May 3
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The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center (GLIIHC) is hosting their 4th annual Honoring the Heartbeat Mental Health and Wellness Powwow to celebrate mental health, wellness, cultural resilience, and breaking the stigma around seeking help. The event will be held on Saturday, May 3, at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park from 12 noon to 8 p.m.
For the event, GLIIHC is looking for community organizations to provide tabling information about their services to the Milwaukee community. Community Organizations are asked to provide information about how their program and/or organization can support the mental health and wellness of attendees and how community members can access services.
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2025 Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit
Tuesday May 6 - Thursday, May 8
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You are invited to join the Wisconsin Department of Health and Services – Division of Care and Treatment Services to learn strategies to save lives and build healthy communities. The Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit is an annual event that highlights prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery strategies related to opioids, stimulants, and trauma. This event is tailored for professionals spanning diverse fields, including corrections agents, counselors, doctors, educators, mental health service providers, nurses, pharmacists, peer specialists, recovery coaches, and social workers. It will be held virtually and in-person at Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, on May 6 through May 8.
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National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Thursday, May 8
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Join Wraparound Milwaukee – Children’s Community Mental Health Services for an afternoon of resources and activities for youth and families. The event will have free food, music, and more!
The event is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. at Owen’s Place at 4610 W. Fond du Lac Ave., on Thursday, May 8.
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15th Annual Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Conference
Tuesday, May 13, and Friday, May 16
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Join Prevent Suicide Wisconsin for the 15th Annual Conference, a vital gathering dedicated to suicide prevention, education, and advocacy. This year's conference brings together experts, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience to share resources, strategies, and hope. Whether you're a mental health professional, educator, advocate, or someone passionate about creating change, this event offers valuable insights and connections.
The pre-conference in-person gathering is scheduled for May 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ThriveOn King, 2153 N. Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, Milwaukee. The virtual conference, with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and lived experience panel, will be held May 14-16 from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
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2025 Wisconsin Harm Reduction Conference
Wednesday, July 16, and Thursday, July 17
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has opened registration for the 2025 Wisconsin Harm Reduction Conference at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, with a virtual option. The conference aims to provide safe spaces for the exchange of ideas and cutting-edge practices that reduce harms associated with drug use, create networking opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds committed to program and policy change and reform, promote the delivery of harm reduction services in Wisconsin and Tribal nations that engage people who use drugs to support connection, safety, and improved quality of life, and provide the opportunity to discuss the benefits of harm reduction, best practices, resources, policies, and areas needing development and support. The conference will be held on July 16 and 17.
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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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Independence First
Independence First is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in the community. They offer over 40 programs and workshops, including independent living skills training, assistive technology services, personal care assistance, and youth programming. Their services ensure that people with disabilities have access to the tools and support they need to achieve their goals. Click here to learn more.
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The Center for Suicide Awareness
The Center for Suicide Awareness is a resource dedicated to fostering understanding, empathy, and support around mental health and suicide prevention. Their HOPELINE text service (741741) offers free, 24/7 emotional support. They also provide crisis intervention, training, and outreach to foster awareness and connection. Click here to learn more.
| | Los Recursos Familial en Español | | |
La salud mental en la comunidad latina
NAMI ofrece apoyo esencial de salud mental para la comunidad hispana/latina a través de recursos, educación y defensa culturalmente relevantes. Reconociendo los desafíos únicos, como las barreras del idioma, el estigma y el acceso a la atención, NAMI brinda programas que fomentan la conciencia, el empoderamiento y la conexión. Sus iniciativas ayudan a las personas y familias a afrontar desafíos de salud mental mientras acceden a redes de apoyo fundamentales. Haz clic aquí para más información.
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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.
| | Family Resources in English | | |
Blanket of Love Program
Blanket of Love Program is a prenatal and parenting education program for young women, their spouses, and friends or families. Created with the Be Healthy, Be You in Wisconsin at Ascension, the program creates a community of support through a welcoming meal, an educational presentation and time for sharing with staff members and other members of the group. Call 414-793-0328 for the schedule and class locations. Click here to learn more about the program.
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Empowering Families of Milwaukee
Empowering Families of Milwaukee (EFM) uses evidence-based models to provide long-term home visitation to families. The focus of EFM is pregnant people and their children. The City of Milwaukee Health Department’s program facilitates access to health, social, and child development support for families through Public Health Nurses and Social Workers. Click here to learn more and fill out a referral form.
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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 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.
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