Department of Health Services

DHS Awards Funding to 14 Nonprofit Dental Clinics

$5.1 million to increase access to dental care for Wisconsinites in need

DHS Releases New Reports on Infant Deaths in Wisconsin

DHS Releases New Reports on Infant Deaths in Wisconsin

New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory For Green Bay And Associated Tributaries

Elevated Levels Of PFAS Found In Rainbow Smelt

New Toolkit Available To Help Local Leaders Address PFAS Contamination In Drinking Water

DHS Honors State Health Care Providers With the “Wisconsin BigShot” Awards

Annual recognition celebrates providers leading the way in protecting children’s health

DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response

COVID-19 prevention and precaution remain a priority as response programs transition

DHS Awards $8 million for Opioid and Stimulant Treatment Service

Tribal nation and county agencies to use funding from the State Opioid Response Grant Program to support local needs

Celebrate Earth Day With The Wisconsin DNR

Drug Take Back Day is April 22

April 19, 2023

DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

In-Person Listening Sessions May 3, 2023

Gov. Evers Declares State of Emergency Due to Elevated Flooding Concerns

DHS Awards $10 Million to Construction Projects for Opioid Treatment and Recovery Support Services

New and renovated buildings to provide much needed space for women with opioid use disorder

Gov. Evers Takes Action on Two Bills

Wisconsin DNR Statement On Community Within The Corridor

DHS Submits Plan to Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance on How to Use $8 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds

Money is part of the $400 million award the state receives annually from settlements with pharmaceutical companies

Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services

DHS Investigating FoodShare Benefits Scam

Wisconsin’s Medicaid Program Starts to Resume Routine Operations

BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members should update contact information if it has changed to ensure they get benefit renewal instructions

DATCP Reminds Poultry Owners of Increasing Threat of Avian Influenza

Gov. Evers, DHS Awards $1 million in Grants to Help Reduce Disparities in Behavioral Health Care System

Equity and inclusion trainings to be offered to service providers

DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program

Wisconsinites can order two free COVID-19 self-test kits every month

New Multimedia Campaign Focuses on 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Statewide advertising planned through 2023 to increase awareness of the service.

DHS Monitoring Increase in Toxic Shock Syndrome Cases

State sees largest number of reported cases in over 10 years

Governor’s Health Equity Council Releases Full Report

Report details recommendations aimed to achieve long-lasting and equitable health outcomes for all Wisconsinites

WDVA Secretary-designee Bond Announces Leadership Team

DHS Seeks Ideas for $8 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds

Survey results will help prioritize how to best address opioid use disorder

Gov. Evers: State of Mental Health “Burgeoning Crisis”

Governor declares 2023 the Year of Mental Health

Multiple State Agencies Responding To PFAS Contamination In Town Of Stella

New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory Issued For Lake Wausau And Stevens Point Flowage

Elevated Levels of PFAS Found In Several Fish Species

DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Test Their Homes for Radon

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Highlights 2022 Accomplishments

Gov. Evers Launches Housing Program to Support Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorders

New Recovery Voucher Program will use Opioid Settlement Funds for affordable, safe, stable housing

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Completes 2022 72-County Tour of Wisconsin

Senator Baldwin Secures Over $255 Million for Wisconsin in Senate Appropriations Legislation

Projects championed by Senator Baldwin were included in Fiscal Year 2023 bipartisan bill

DHS Confirms Pediatric Influenza-Associated Death in Wisconsin

Encourages everyone six months and older to get the influenza (flu) vaccine

Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

DHS urges Wisconsinites to get an updated COVID-19 vaccination and a flu shot to protect themselves and others ahead of the holidays

DHS Reminds Wisconsinites: It is Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Vaccine

With flu cases increasing nationwide, Wisconsinites are encouraged to get a flu vaccine to avoid serious illness

Gov. Evers Announces DHS Secretary-designee Timberlake Leaving Evers Administration

Wisconsin DOJ and 32 other States finalize $435 Million Agreement with JUUL Labs

December 8, 2022

DHS, OCI Urge Wisconsinites to Sign up for Health Care Coverage by December 15

Marketplace enrollment ensures coverage starts January 1

As the Cold Weather Brings an Uptick in COVID-19 Cases, DHS Reminds Wisconsinites How to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season

Free COVID-19 self-tests and COVID-19 treatment telehealth services are available

DHS Awarded $45 Million to Support Public Health Workforce Development

Grant from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to advance public health workforce development at state and local levels over next five years

Wisconsin Ranks Number One During Fall Drug Take Back Day

November 23, 2022

DHS Announces Opportunity to Order More Free COVID-19 Self-Tests

All Wisconsin households can order a free package of COVID-19 self-tests each month

DHS Announces Medicaid Nursing Home Rate Increase to Support Health Care Workforce

DHS to cover an average of 90% of nursing homes' costs of providing care for Medicaid members

Marquette’s behavior analysis program receives $2 million from State of Wisconsin to expand Medicaid’s HCBS workforce

Wisconsin Fall Drug Take Back Collection Yields 54,040 Pounds of Unwanted Medications to Fight Opioid Epidemic

November 10, 2022

$12 Million in Grant Funding Awarded to Wisconsin Home and Community-Based Services Professionals

First wave of awards will bring innovation and enhancement to the state’s direct care workforce

DHS Launches Free Telehealth Service for COVID-19 Treatment

Increases access to life saving antiviral treatments

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Grants to Expand Child Telepsychiatry Services, Access to Behavioral Health Care

More than $100 million invested in behavioral health in past year

DHS Secretary-designee Timberlake and Insurance Commissioner Houdek Celebrate the 10th Annual Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov

Wisconsinites in every corner of the state can sign up for affordable, high quality health insurance from November 1, 2022 through January 15, 2023

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Wisconsin Receives Federal Approval to Implement Housing Benefits

Stable housing is critical to improving health outcomes for children and families

DHS Invests $8.3 Million in Wisconsin Schools for School Health Service Workforce

DHS Encourages All Wisconsinites to Take Steps to Prevent Childhood Lead Exposure

October 23-29 marks National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Drug Take Back Day is October 29

October 25, 2022

National Commission on Correctional Health Care Names Wisconsin Resource Center 2022 Facility of the Year

Award recognizes quality and innovation in resident care

State Health Department Introduces New Flu Vaccine Data Dashboard and Report on Vaccine Coverage in Wisconsin

The data will help promote vaccines among populations and communities that need them most

Updated COVID-19 Boosters Available for People 5 Years and Older at Milwaukee Health Department Immunization Clinics

State Agencies Launch Real Talks Campaign to Prevent and Reduce Substance Use

Strategies encourage open, honest, and caring conversations about drugs

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $16 Million Investment in Maternal and Child Health

Initiative to reduce maternal and infant mortality disparities through impactful partnerships

Potential Data Disclosure May Have Affected Certain Wisconsin Medicaid Members

DHS Expands Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility Criteria for Wisconsinites

DHS encourages all eligible Wisconsinites to get vaccinated

DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

In-Person Listening Session Oct. 26

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

DHS Accepting Applications for Projects to Improve Cultural Competence of Behavioral Health Workforce

Grants to be awarded for equity and inclusion efforts

DHS Launches Monkeypox Data Page

Stay Healthy this Fall: COVID-19 At-Home Tests and Booster Shots Still Available with No Out-of-Pocket Cost

DNR Recommends Precautions For Hunters Handling Wild Game To Prevent Exposure To Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Nearly $32 Million in EMS Flex Grants, Providing Support to 442 EMS Providers in Nearly Every Wisconsin County

Governor invests an additional $20 million into EMS grant program based on increased need

DHS Encourages You to Protect Yourself Against the Flu by Getting Vaccinated

Fall is the best time to get vaccinated and flu vaccines are available now

Senators Baldwin, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988 Lifeline saw a 45 percent increase after adopting three-digit number

DHS Receives Five-Year Grant for Suicide Prevention

Wisconsin one of six states to receive federal grant

Supervisor Coggs-Jones Applauds Expanded Access to Free COVID-19 Self-Tests

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

This week, Milwaukee County remains in the Medium COVID-19 Community Level, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Milwaukee Health Department Begins Administration of Updated COVID-19 Booster Vaccine to Target Omicron Subvariant

The Milwaukee Health Department is pleased to begin administration of the updated single-dose COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine on Monday, September 12

DHS Encourages Wisconsinites to Make a Plan to Get Boosted Against COVID-19 this Fall

People 12 and older are now eligible for updated COVID-19 boosters that target the original virus and newest Omicron subvariants

Wisconsin DOJ, 33 States Reach $438.5 Million Agreement with JUUL Labs

Wisconsin’s allocated share of the agreement would be more than $14.4 million.

DHS Expands Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility Criteria for Wisconsinites

Early monkeypox data show emerging health disparities

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC’s COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine Recommendations

“The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is pleased to see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation that eligible Wisconsinites will soon have additional protection against COVID-19 with the approval of COVID-19 bivalent boosters."

Gov. Evers, AG Kaul Slam Republicans for Again Delaying Funds to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Anonymous GOP objection delays $6 million in settlement funds from pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributors for opioid and substance misuse prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programming

Wisconsin Communities Act to Prevent Lead Poisoning

DHS experts to tour properties that are part of the Lead-Safe Homes Program and child care centers testing for lead in drinking water

DHS Urges COVID-19 Vaccination for a Healthy School Year

DHS Accepting Applications for Home and Community-Based Services Grants

American Rescue Plan Act funds to help improve services for people in Wisconsin's long-term care programs

Supervisor Burgelis Seeks to Increase Monkeypox Awareness and Vaccine Distribution

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $8 Million Being Distributed to Help Support, Stabilize EMS Providers Across the State

EMS providers to receive an additional nearly $25,000 to support purchasing new emergency service vehicles, patient transport equipment, and diagnostic medical equipment

DHS Submits Updated Proposal for Opioid Settlement Funds to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance

Plan includes recommendations on how the state should use $31 million awarded from agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors

Salmonella Infections Linked to Shelled Peas Sold at Wisconsin Farmers Markets and Farm Stands

Six people have become ill; three have been hospitalized

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $2.5 Million in Telehealth Grants for Behavioral Health Providers

Neighborhood access stations to help remove barriers to care

Governor Evers, DHS Announce Launch of WisCaregiver Careers Program Expansion

Expanded program will train more certified nursing aides to support Wisconsin’s nursing homes

Senator Baldwin’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Hotline Launches Nationwide

Baldwin helped deliver funding for 988 line through omnibus legislation and bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Wisconsin is Ready to Transition to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Free and confidential behavioral healthcare and support available 24/7

DHS Provides Updates During National Infant Formula Shortage

Parents have more options to feed their babies

First Case of Monkeypox Identified in City of Milwaukee Resident

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Identifies the First Case of Monkeypox in a Wisconsin Resident

Risk to the general public remains low

ReadyWisconsin encourages safe celebrations this Independence Day weekend

Wisconsin SeniorCare Program to Cover Vaccines Provided at Pharmacies

New benefit will increase senior access to vaccines

Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves $71 Million Projects Across Wisconsin

Projects include funding for the design of a new Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, new UW Madison Engineering Building, expansion of critical health care resources, and building improvements to improve safety, reduce energy usage and carbon emissions

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Everyone Age 6 Months and Older

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines authorized for children 6 months through 5 years